ACCLAIMED North Walian band Gwacamoli support Newport's Gracie in TJ's next week. The signed band are playing the rare South Wales date in an attempt to raise their profile.

More pop than rock, but with a bit of punk, Gwacamoli should go down well in Newport in the current Greenday-friendly climate.

Formed in 1998 by brothers Dyland and Gethin, Gwacamoli's first EP, Topsy Turvey, was released by Sain Records in 1999.

The line-up was settled on Gethin Thomas (lead vocals and guitar), Dylan Thomas (bass), Deian Elfryn (drums), Dyfed 'Coast' Roberts (guitar and vocals), and Sion Llwyd (keyboards).

All band members are experienced jobbing musicians. Deian Elfryn works as a session drummer for various bands on recordings and television appearances.

Gethin was nominated in last year's BBC Wales Music Awards for best songwriter and Dyfed (so far!) is the only band member to have played on Top of the Pops. Sain was Gwacamoli's home until the end of 2000, at which point they formed their own label, Topsy, and proceeded to record their second EP, Clockwork, which they released in June 2001.

The band played 20 days across Wales and England to promote the EP, and appeared on BBC and HTV local music programmes.

This year the band has signed to a new managemen company, 1:AM, for more promotion and a national tour.

Gwacamoli support Gracie in TJs, Newport on Monday, April 1.