Following a 12 month hiatus, Merthyr Rock festival returns to the grounds of Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil on Sunday 17th August 2014.

Now operated by Wales’ largest independent promoter Orchard Entertainment, who took over from previous operators Hay Festivals, the third edition of Merthyr Rock will take place on one day as the event looks to re-establish itself in the festival calendar following a break in 2013.

Orchard have announced the first batch of acts to perform at Merthyr Rock 2014, headlined by US band Taking Back Sunday, whose appearance at Merthyr is a UK Festival Exclusive in 2014.

Joining them will be Welsh band The Blackout , Andy Howells chats to Snoz from the band.

Who are you and how did you come together?

the forces of evil/darkness/satan/the gurnos spewed from the depths of their belly, to create us, The Blackout back in 1980, there or there abouts

Where are you from?

Parts unknown, Hell's Kitchen, galon uchaf, Merthyr Tydfil!

How would you describe your music style?

Really, really good! Like music you can listen too and think "yeah, this is good"!!

What are you working on at the moment?

Our forthcoming EP WOLVES! Which is due out October/November!

What’s been your best live experience?

Probably headlining the Roundhouse in London and selling it out! As well as playing all over the world!

What drew you to play at Merthyr Rock?

We had a dream were a half naked Indian and him Morrison came to us and said we should do it! So we said yes

What can people expect from your set?

Either/or: lasers/phasers/choirs/strippers/dolphins/motorbikes/fire/a basketball net/high fives/strippers/midgets/tall people/riffs/blood/sweat/tears/beers/dogs/celebrity dogs etc

Where can people hear your music?

MySpace/Facebook/twitter/YouTube/tumbler/Napster/kazar/download.com etc

Further acts of the one day festival will be announced in the following months, as well as details of the various Fringe activities that will precede the main event.

Tickets for Merthyr Rock 2014 are priced at £25.00 Advance (+ Standard Booking Fee), and go on sale from Thursday 17th of April. They’ll be available Online from www.merthyrrock.com, over the phone from Ticketline UK on 02920 230130 and in person from Spillers Records (Morgan Arcade, Cardiff).