THIS Friday (December 3) sees a punk spectacular at the Park Hotel, Barry featuring The Shamones, a tribute to the Iconic New York punk band, The Ramones.

The band features bass player Bryn Merrick who played with punk idols The Damned for 10 years. During the eighties Bryn played on three studio albums and countless top 20 singles including the brilliant Barry Ryan cover Eloise which reached No 1 in 1985.

Having toured the States, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia and Europe and the UK, Bryn also made several appearances on Top of the Pops and the Whistle Test during his time with the band. He retired from music in 1992 and has since returned to the Barry area where he has recently renewed his friendship with life-long musical partner, Andy Johnson who has been active on the Barry music scene since ending his own musical exile in 2006 when he re-joined The Relics before launching his own band, Andy and the Johnsons in 2008. More recently he has set up Strictly Acoustic Live in Barry’s West End Club. This is a monthly event which helps to showcase young, up and coming talent in the Barry area.

However, Bryn and Andy have their roots firmly stuck in the Punk era of the late 70’s where they formed Victimize in 1977. Cardiff’s legendary punk band released two 7" singles and played support to many of the big names of the time including The Skids, UK Subs, Gang of Four, The Lurkers, The Ruts and, of course, The Damned!

When they decided to play live again earlier this year, a Ramones tribute band was an obvious choice given their punk roots and the fact that The Ramones were one of their biggest influences back in the 70’s. The boys quickly recruited Dave Johnson (ex-Andy and the Johnsons) on drums and the Shamones were born in October. They have been locked in rehearsal for over a month now and are set for an exciting debut at the Park Hotel’s Punkfest event tomorrow night (Friday).

The support comes in the shape of new up and coming local punk band Fallen Through. A brilliant and energetic three-piece who have just released a three-track CD and quote their influences as Blink 182, Green Day and Alkaline Trio!

The evening kicks off at 8pm and admission is only £1 at the door!