Big Leaves were a Welsh rock band formed in 1988, originally named Beganifs. They disbanded in 2003, with two members subsequently forming Sibrydion.
Big Leaves
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| Origin | Waunfawr, Wales |
| Genres | Indie rock |
| Years active | 1988–2003 |
| Labels | Ankst, Crai, Whipcord, Metropolis, Dell'Orso |
| Past members | Rhodri Sion Meilir Gwynedd Kevin Tame Osian Gwynedd Matt Hobbs |
The band was formed in 1988 as Beganifs by then 11- and 12-year-old school pupils Rhodri Sion (vocals), Meilir Gwynedd (guitar), Kevin Tame (bass guitar, trumpet), and Osian Gwynedd (drums, keyboards).[1][2] They initially recorded and sold home-recorded tapes, and released two seven-inch EPs as Beganifs, the first on their own label, the second on Ankst Records.[2] They changed the band name to Big Leaves after they were mistakenly billed as this by a concert promoter in the Netherlands who misheard their name.[2][3] They were signed by Crai Records, releasing two EPs in 1998 and 1999, and contributed to the second album by Catatonia, with whom they later toured.[2] They also toured with Super Furry Animals, a band with which they have been compared.[2][4] "Sly Alibi", released in 1999 on Adam Walton's Whipcord label, was the band's first English-language release.[1] Their 1999 single "Racing Birds" was so highly regarded by BBC Radio 1DJMark Radcliffe that he played it twice in a row on his show.[4] The band's debut album, Pwy Sy'n Galw? (Who's Calling?) was released in 2000, after which they were joined by drummer Matt Hobbs.[2] The band performed at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas in 2002, and were featured in a documentary on S4C.[2]
They released a second album in 2003, after which the band split up.[3] Meilir and Osian Gwynedd later formed Sibrydion.