AFTER the sensational split of drummer Mark Richardson from Gwent-born band Feeder, frontman Grant Nicholas and bass guitarist Taka Hirose have embarked on a new project.

The pair, joined by Ben’s Brother drummer Karl Brazil, have formed a new band called Renegades and are currently touring the UK in a series of intimate gigs.

At the beginning of the year, the new threesome brought out a four-track EP under the Feeder brand, before deciding to release it as the Renegades first record under its own record label Big Teeth Music.

After a series of gigs in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, the band came to Cardiff on Monday night.

Wary that some die-hard Feeder fans may not like their new sound, posters were displayed on the doors, telling fans that because they would be performing mainly new material, everyone would be entitled to their money back if they were expecting a Feeder gig.

If the Renegades were worried about the reception they’d receive, they shouldn’t have.

Their new direction, reminiscent of some of their early Feeder tracks from albums such as Polythene and Yesterday Went Too Soon, went down a storm with the hundreds of people who packed the club.

Tracks such as Renegades and Sentimental were well received, although as a Feeder fan myself, I would say that their new material lacks mainstream appeal.

Echo Park it is not.

Track Down by the River, which was written by Nicholas on a recent recording session in the Monnow Valley, was a highlight.

They were supported by Pontypridd band Straight Lines who are ones to watch.