TOUR DE FORCE

In a studio chock full of modern recording equipment and with walls adorned with gold and silver discs, it’s no surprise to see flightcases that wear the battle scars and decaying airline stickers from countless world tours. Our host is Peredur ap Gwynedd – Perry for short – the Pontypool-born guitarist best known for his work with Australian electronic rock act Pendulum.

Though he has collaborated with artists from all over the world, early inspiration came courtesy of a guitarist from much closer to home. “Tich Gwilym was where it all started for me,” says Perry. “He was everybody’s hero growing up around Wales where I’m from. Apart from him, hearing Back In Black for the first time was transformative. Even now you can’t fail to be impressed! It still sounds fresh over 40 years later. I think my cousin played it for me, along with The Number Of The Beast. After hearing those, it was like, ‘This is what I’m going to do with my life!’”

Growing up in a musical family kickstarted a lifelong affinity for the guitar, and Perry was fortunate enough to have access to acoustic instruments in the family home. “My parents always played acoustics,” he says. itself, the pentatonic run, I realised was the same notes as by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and found out about the pentatonic blues scale and just went from there really.”