The Milk Race are Cardiff's most thrilling new band: a less-than-six-months-old maelstrom of post-punk guitars and Moog abuse, channelled through an unhealthy obsession with 1980s Edward Woodward action-drama The Equalizer.
We spoke to vocalist/guitarist Chris Warlow - formerly of The Martini Henry Rifles and Space in the '50s - to find out what's in store for their appearance at Pint of 45 Presents…
You've all been in other Cardiff bands of varying degrees of notoriety. Was it a natural progression for the three you to start playing together? Or had you all simply run out of other options?
I'd taken a year or so out of playing music to become a teacher. Having known the other boys for years - Mike (Carter, bass/synth) since his Mohobishopi days and Sklav (Chris Sklavounos, drums) from The IK+ playing shows with The Martini Henry Rifles - I got a random call from Mike one day asking if I was interested in getting a new project underway.
I knew that they both had good taste in music and were coming at things from a similarly skewed angle. Seeing as I had never actually been in a band with them, I thought it would be great to get some fresh noise underway and come out of semi-retirement.
Why the name? Are defunct cycling contests a big influence?
Defunct cycling contests are in fact a huge influence on our style, sound and perspective on life itself.
We toyed with the names Tour de Trump and Wincanton Classic but settled on The Milk Race, as I used to watch the race as it came through Wales as a child, and once almost got hit by a stray water bottle launched from a member of the Soviet Union cycling team.
What have you got lined up for the gig?
There will be an array of pyrotechnics, lasers, revolving drum kits and strippers, with the aim of replicating Kiss's 1976 Destroyer tour.
Musically, people will get to hear a sound that is something like Devo doing shots with the Pixies in a dilapidated bar owned by David Yow, where The Replacements serve the beer and Black Flag work the door.
What's the weirdest experience you've ever had in a Cardiff pub?
The sad truth is that most of the best or weirdest experiences have been erased from memory, along with how I got home after spending too much time in said establishment.
However, I did once run into the UK student dwarf wrestling team in The George, Roath as they caned Jagerbombs and practised their holds in the beer garden.
The Milk Race play Pint of 45 Presents… at The Promised Land, 4 Windsor Place, Cardiff on Saturday 29 January
