Rhys Mwyn Donates Iconic Yr Anhrefn Memorabilia to Amgueddfa Cymru
Rhys Mwyn, an original member of the popular 1980s and 1990s punk band Yr Anhrefn, has donated several iconic items from the band to Amgueddfa Cymru.
Among the items are his bass guitar, the band's T-shirt, and his leather jacket. These pieces will be added to the museum's cultural life collection.
"I am delighted that the Yr Anhrefn archive has found a good home at St Fagans National Museum of History," said Rhys Mwyn.
"This gives future generations the opportunity to rediscover Wales' alternative culture from the late 20th century."
He added,
"What we were doing in the 1980s was part of a cultural revolution in Wales."
Rhys Mwyn has also donated three of the band's vinyl records to the collection: Defaid, Skateboards a Wellies, Bwrw Cwrw, and Dragons Revenge.
Reflecting on that era, he said,
"By the early 1980s, it was clear there was a demand for a new narrative in Welsh culture.
People needed a space to create and shout out their own strength!
This was the first time creative Welsh speakers rejected the world of Y Pethe as it was."
'Cultural Revolution'
Speaking to BBC Cymru Fyw, Rhys described the band as a small part of a broader story or "timeline" of that period.
"What we were doing in the 1980s was part of a cultural revolution in Wales. For example, the old slogan 'Everything in Welsh' was used.
We were, in a way, rebelling against that idea, creating a new conversation and perspective in Welsh, but rejecting everything that came before."
Rhys Mwyn also mentioned other bands from the same revolution, such as Y Cyrff, Datblygu, and Llwybr Llaethog.
He explained that these bands, alongside the history of pop music, form part of Wales' "social and cultural history."
"But I am not the one to decide our importance within that," he added.
'Study, Learn or Disregard!'
Rhys has been archiving the band's papers at the National Library for about two years, including posters, letters, and similar items.
However, the "material objects—things like T-shirts, guitars, and jackets—are going to the museum, and there is a partnership between the two institutions' departments."
He emphasized that it is up to others to determine the significance of the items,
"but perhaps the fact they have accepted them suggests some kind of value!"
"I am donating these now so people can study, appreciate, learn something, or disregard if they wish!
But whatever someone thinks—they are there now for people to be educated by if they want."
Amgueddfa Cymru described it as a "pleasure to provide a home" for items that "tell the story of an important period in Welsh music history."
Rhys was keen to stress that Yr Anhrefn represents only a small part of the story.
"What all these bands from the 1980s and 1990s led to was 'Cool Cymru'—Catatonia and Super Furries were part of something before that.
There is a timeline of those underground roots; people like Gruff Rhys and Mark Cyrff have been part of it all.
So it is a small part of that story that I have passed on."
'Never Play Guitar Again'
When asked if the rock and roll days are over, given he is saying farewell to his iconic bass guitar, Rhys agreed.
"Yes—never play guitar again, that part of my life is over. I see this as a positive thing—I have no interest in that anymore.
But I still have an interest in creating, just not with rock and roll guitar—the chapter is closed."
According to Fflur Morse, senior curator of cultural life at Amgueddfa Cymru, Yr Anhrefn are "considered one of the most important Welsh bands, musically and politically."
"It is a pleasure to provide a home for these objects that tell the story of an important period in Welsh music history."
Amgueddfa Cymru stated the objects will be catalogued and digitised before eventually being uploaded to online collections.
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