The first episode can be heard on BBC Radio Wales at 1:30pm on Saturday 3rd September and covers Colwyn Bay’s Dixieland Showbar on a now a dilapidated pier falling into the sea. During its heyday in the '70s and early ‘80s, 'The Dixie' hosted legendary bands such as Motörhead, the Damned, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Elvis Costello, The Specials and Madness. Gareth meets the fans and musicians who have fond memories of the place. Kirk Brandon from Spear of Destiny tells of the violent clashes when Theatre Of Hate played at on the pier in the early 80s and Steve Allan Jones of Rhyl’s Amsterdam reveals what happened when Siouxsie Sioux got stuck in the loo. Gareth also recollects his own experience playing here, supporting The Cockney Rejects, as the bass player of Holywell’s only punk band, “This was even before I was called Gaz Top – I was known as Gary Gutter when I was in The Grids”.

The second episode follows a week later. This time Gareth heads for Buckley and ‘The Tiv’, a venue whose continued existence defies logic.  Despite being in a Welsh town with limited population and not the best of transport links it has been going strong for decades, hosting some of the greats of rock ‘n roll — from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Slade, and even Britpop bands such as Oasis. Today, ‘The Tiv’ continues to put on live shows every week.  Gareth investigates the secret to its success by talking to the bands, the fans and the management and by taking a tour of the building. Whether or not he encounters the venue’s famous ghost, he certainly encounters the spirit of rock music past and present, and makes a bit of a personal pilgrimage.
"This is obviously a very personal journey for me,” admits Gareth," I saw and I saw met my heroes Slade at these places, an experience that stayed with me for the rest of my life. In the 2nd programme I’m thrilled to say that I get to interview Jimmy Lea from Slade about his memories of playing there. I was amazed to learn what an impression playing in Wales had played on him too. It’s not just the fans — the bands don’t forget either.”.