The Norman constructors of the historic Chepstow Castle probably didnÔÇÖt have Newport slice of life, comedy rap ensemble ÔÇÿGoldie Lookin ChainÔÇÖ in mind as future guests when they laid its first stones in 1067, but they didnÔÇÖt 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 ChainÔÇÖ (or GLC) are perhaps best known to the rest of the country by their more generally accessible hits. The funny and expletive laden ÔÇÿGuns DonÔÇÖt Kill People, Rappers DoÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿYour Missus is a NutterÔÇÖ 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 BabyÔÇÖ remix that was re-vamped as ÔÇÿIce Ice DildoÔÇÖ, 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 ÔÇÿCharmschoolÔÇÖ with newer songs like the work place accident based ÔÇÿBad Boy LimpÔÇÖ.

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, ÔÇ£safe as fuckÔÇØ, and ÔÇ£you knows itÔÇØ; but they saved their best for last, barely bothering to leave the stage before coming back on for their encore of ÔÇÿYour MotherÔÇÖs Got A PenisÔÇÖ. The set was a crowd pleasing hour and bit which perhaps only missed the geographically relevant track ÔÇÿChepstow MarketÔÇÖ

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