Skwardya
Matthi ab Dewi
Skwardya (Ripping/Tearing Shredding)
Skwardya is a Cornish language folk/rock/pop band formed in 1998.
Matthi ab Dewi and Alan Pengelly formed Skwardya to play Cornish language music in some pub gigs and at some festivals. A series of CDs has been released over the years with appearances at Lowender Peran, Cornish Language Weekend, Dehwelans in Falmouth (2002) and the PanCeltic Song Contest in Dingle in 2010. The most notable period in the band’s history was in 2006 when a copy of the band covering “Eight Days a Week” by the Beatles in Cornish was played on BBC Radio Cornwall. News media around the world got hold of the story. For a week, Matthi and Dave were played on Radio 1,4, Newsnight and local news programmes. They also played a live song and had an interview on BBC Breakfast TV. The songs covered were: “Seythen Eth Dydh” (8 Days a week) & “Gwynn ow bys” (I feel fine). No official releases were made of the songs as the catalogue owners refused permission. It was part of the news story that they only allowed the recordings to be used for the duration of the news item. More translations and recordings do exist though.
Athelstan
Sav yn bann
Skwardya sing Trelawny for Gool Peran – St Piran’s Day 2021
Kanna Keur / Singing of the choir Ottomma kuntellyans nowydh a’m ilow gwrys a’m honan. / Here is a new collection of my songs performed by myself.Credits: Released on Bandcamp September 30, 2018. Matthi ab Dewi,
Domhwelyans / RevolutionCredits: Released on Bandcamp October 10, 2015. Matthi ab Dewi, Dave Miller, Brian Simmons, Chris Cadwur James. Merv Davey, Graham Hart
An Lowarth Hudel / the Magic Garden Credits: released on Band Camp October 9, 2015.Matthi ab Dewi: levow / gitar / alhwedhellow / pib sten / kroder kroghen Dave Miller: Gitar / faborden / levow Craig Weatherill: Melotron
An Eledhva /The Place of Angels Originally released in 2006 as Skwardya had been making global fame out of playing some Beatles songs in Cornish. It got us on BBC Breakfast, Newsnight, Radio 1, 4, and even as far as radio in Australia and Russia. This CD was originally produced as a compilation project with Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek. Credits: Released on Bandcamp October 8, 2015. Matthi Clarke: Vocals / Guitar / Bodhran / Whistle / Keyboard : Dave Miller: Guitars / Bass : Brian Simmons: drums :Simon Glanville: vocals / Keyboard: Chris Cadwur James: Violin :Philip Knight: Vocals :Elizabeth Stewart: Vocals Josephine Stewart: Vocals :James Dundon: Cymbal
Arta Again Released October 8, 2015
Ottani / Here we are This is Skwardya’s first album – originally completed in 2000. / Ottomma kynsa kuntellyans Skwardya – kowlwrys veu y’n kynsa le yn 2000. Credits: Released on Bandcamp October 8, 2015: Matthew Clarke: Vocals / Guitar / keyboards / whistle / crowdy crawn: Brian Simmons: Drums, Dave Miller: guitars / bass /vocals, Alan Pengelly: Accordion, Gary Stevens: Bass, Daniel Edwards: Guitars .
Aswonn / Recognise, 6th Album.Credits: Released on Bandcamp October 7, 2015,Matthi ab Dewi (vocals, guitar, keyboards),Dave Miller (vocals, guitar, bass).
All Albums available on Bandcamp
Band Members
1998-2000: Matthi ab Dewi (Vocals/Guitar/whistle),Alan Pengelly (accordion),Brian Simmons (Drums),Daniel Edwards (lead guitar),Gary Stevens (bass)
2000-2002:Matthi ab Dewi (Vocals/guitar/whistle),Alan Pengelly (bass),Brian Simmons (Drums) Dave Miller (lead guitar)
2002-2003:Matthi ab Dewi (Vocals/guitar/whistle),Brian Simmons (drums),Dave Miller (Lead guitar) Brian Curtis (bass),Simon Glanville (keyboards/vocals)
2006 (Beatles on TV appearances)Matthi ab Dewi (guitar/vocals),Dave Miller (guitar)
2006-2007:Matthi ab Dewi (Vocals/guitar/whistle),Dave Miller (guitar),Simon Glanville (Keyboards/vocals)
2010 (PanCeltic line-up),Matthi ab Dewi (Vocals/guitar/whistle),Dave Miller (Lead guitar),Colin Roberts (Mandola/vocals),Alison Davies (flute),Anne Kennedy-Truscott (Bodhran)
2011- dateMatthi ab Dewi (Vocals/guitar/whistle),Dave Miller (guitar),Simon Glanville (Keyboard/vocals).
Others who have played with Skwardya on occasion: Anthony Best (bass), Chris Cadwur James (fiddle), & Jim French (drums), & Phil Knight (vocals).
Skwardya circa 2000
Skwardya: Cornish Language Weekend 2007
Skwardya Lowender Peran 2009