Bramwell Goes Pop

By Henry Lipput

“Problems” the debut single from the Cardiff-based band Bramwell is a 7-inch banger. It’s being released this weekend by Precious Recordings of London to accompany the band’s appearance at Wales Goes Pop.

Bramwell, made up of Tom Grogan on guitar and vocals, Avalon Vowles on bass and vocals, and Tom Drury on the drums, make a joyful noise on “Problems.”

But it might be the B-side that draws the most attention. Recorded by The Yardbirds in 1966 after Clapton left and before Page signed up, “I Can’t Make Your Way” was released on the album Yardbirds (or Over Under Sideways Down depending what country you bought it or Roger The Engineer what year you bought it.) The song’s original slow moving country lilt is a long way from the blues rock and psychedelic sounds for which the band was known.

Which makes Bramwell’s take on the song that much more of a treat. They take the Yardbird's version and truly make the song their own by turning it into a mid-sixties chart topping rave-up.