Angela Lewis on pop music

It seems we can split Welsh bands into two types at the moment. There's the likes of Manic Street Preachers and Catatonia, delectable but conventional rock troupes with indie imprints not indistinguishable from any outfit in Newcastle or Camden. Then there are bands who've put out records on Wales's much-celebrated Ankst label, including new chart darlings Super Furry Animals (now on Creation) and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, both peddlers in tunes of bizarre gorgeousness in the Welsh language. Importantly, both have tickled the wider Brit kid consciousness in a way that previous Welsh generations couldn't. And now those master artists of warped and trippy pop, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (right), are touring with Manic Street Preachers. And singer/organist Euro Childs doesn't know quite what the reception will be.

"They (MSP) just asked us to tour with them, I've no idea why - it could be that they just like us," he shrugs. "Christ knows how we'll go down. It could be quite nasty, what with their hardcore fans," he adds.

The Gorky's next single includes a pop number ("Lucy's Hamper") and a stab at country and western ("Heart of Kentucky") which should, with the Manics tour and festival appearances like T In the Park, see them head to chartville like SFA. The time has come: Wales is an exotic, untouchable culture to the biz no more. "People are more open-minded, and listen to different things," opines Childs.

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Middlesbrough Town Hall (01624 242561) tonight; Manchester Academy (0161-275 2930) 27 May