The Norman constructors of the historic Chepstow Castle probably didn’t have Newport slice of life, comedy rap ensemble ÔÇÿGoldie Lookin Chain’ in mind as future guests when they laid its first stones in 1067, but they didn’t seem out of place in front of a busy, if not packed, crowd on August 26th. Performing as part of the Castell Roc Music Festival that evolved out of the previous Rock the Dell festival that ended a few years past.

ÔÇÿGoldie Lookin Chain’ (or GLC) are perhaps best known to the rest of the country by their more generally accessible hits. The funny and expletive laden ÔÇÿGuns Don’t Kill People, Rappers Do’ and ÔÇÿYour Missus is a Nutter’ have probably graced the ears of most teenagers throughout in the country at some point or another. In Newport and the surrounding areas however, they take on a bigger role. Offering a view of South Wales life that manages to be both self deprecating and sincerely fond of an area which loves them fully in return.

Coming on stage in a set of comedy tracksuits before performing a collection of their hits on classic tracks, like their sexually charged ÔÇÿIce Ice Baby’ remix that was re-vamped as ÔÇÿIce Ice Dildo’, or over original beats as in the case of their love letter to local store Baneswell Express. The group always bring a Newport feel to wherever they go, which is probably why a wild brawl broke out in the crowd within the first 30 minutes. With order restored the GLC boys carried on through their surprisingly dense back catalogue, mixing older hits like ÔÇÿCharmschool’ with newer songs like the work place accident based ÔÇÿBad Boy Limp’.

Over the years the group have perfected the art of keeping the crowd involved with the careful placement of their hits throughout the set and a copious amount of their catchphrases, “safe as fuck”, and “you knows it”; but they saved their best for last, barely bothering to leave the stage before coming back on for their encore of ÔÇÿYour Mother’s Got A Penis’. The set was a crowd pleasing hour and bit which perhaps only missed the geographically relevant track ÔÇÿChepstow Market’

Though the boys have all aged considerably in their ten plus years in the band, their act has not. Although not packed full of experimental beats or technical flows, the witty lyrics and profanity laden verses are sure enough to keep them going for some time yet.

 
JAY WILLIAMSON