CHROMA are a Welsh three-piece with an uncontainable live presence: all thumping riffs, high-energy beats and wild powerhouse vocals that summon the spirits of Beth Ditto and Kathleen Hanna.
Formed in the summer of 2015, the trio have spent the last couple of years whipping up a dedicated following, playing sold-out shows in their home city of Cardiff and bringing in strong radio support from BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.
Taking inspiration from bands like Marmozets, Biffy Clyro and Reuben, the alt-rockers released their EP earlier this year, packing it with tracks full of punch that went down a treat at Reading and Leeds Festival.
Ahead of their show tomorrow (9 December) at Cardiff's Clwb Ifor Bach, we caught up with the band to discover the tracks inspiring their hard-hitting, melodic sound.
Scroll to the bottom to tune in...
Formed in the summer of 2015, the trio have spent the last couple of years whipping up a dedicated following, playing sold-out shows in their home city of Cardiff and bringing in strong radio support from BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.
Taking inspiration from bands like Marmozets, Biffy Clyro and Reuben, the alt-rockers released their EP earlier this year, packing it with tracks full of punch that went down a treat at Reading and Leeds Festival.
Ahead of their show tomorrow (9 December) at Cardiff's Clwb Ifor Bach, we caught up with the band to discover the tracks inspiring their hard-hitting, melodic sound.
Scroll to the bottom to tune in...
Kt's picks:
Courtney Barnett – Pedestrian at Best
The first-time encounter with Courtney Barnett was watching her live at Green Man 2015. There was a guy stood next me who knew the words... by the end of her set I wanted to be him and I wanted to be her. I fucking love Courtney Barnett.
Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box
I think this song set off a love for rock music. I became obsessed with Nirvana as a teenager, and from there on, it set off a love for other bands.
Marmozets – Is It Horrible
This song means the moment we merged together as a band. Somehow it represents a mutual understanding of what I could do In the band. When we started the band I was a bit overwhelmed. I didn’t know how I could exist in rock music. Marmozets represent how there’s not only a place for women in rock, but women can be themselves.
Bev's picks:
QOTSA – Little Sister
What can I say? I play bass, but guitar is at my core. All it takes for me is a song that can do both extremely well, and QOTSA are pivotal to that mantra. The way this songs lures the listener into a hypnotic trains and builds in complexity is one of the reasons why I love Alt Rock.
Tigercub – Memory Boy
We had the pleasure of playing with Tigercub in Clwb Ifor Bach last year and they sound checked with this song. Their sound melted my face and still does to this day. They’re the best band in the world right now. Period.
Orchards – Peggy
I love a song that challenges the listener to find something new each time they play it. To this day, I still find nuggets of gold in this song that I didn’t hear on previous spins. Not only that, but they nail every beat live. That level of songwriting is incredibly rare and I can’t wait to hear more from them.
Zac's picks:
Foo Fighters – Learn to Fly
This was one of the first songs I’d heard that really got me into rock music. I’d like to be Taylor Hawkins when I grow up.
blink-182 – Feeling This
Travis Barker’s crazy style of drumming inspired me to start playing drums in the first place!
Paramore – Feeling Sorry
I was massively into Paramore when I started playing drums. Playing along to RIOT and Brand New Eyes was challenging but also so fun! Zac Farro is the real OG.
Joint pick:
IDLES – Well Done
We all love their work. They’re cutting-edge punk and they know exactly what they’re doing. We’re obsessed!
Courtney Barnett – Pedestrian at Best
The first-time encounter with Courtney Barnett was watching her live at Green Man 2015. There was a guy stood next me who knew the words... by the end of her set I wanted to be him and I wanted to be her. I fucking love Courtney Barnett.
Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box
I think this song set off a love for rock music. I became obsessed with Nirvana as a teenager, and from there on, it set off a love for other bands.
Marmozets – Is It Horrible
This song means the moment we merged together as a band. Somehow it represents a mutual understanding of what I could do In the band. When we started the band I was a bit overwhelmed. I didn’t know how I could exist in rock music. Marmozets represent how there’s not only a place for women in rock, but women can be themselves.
Bev's picks:
QOTSA – Little Sister
What can I say? I play bass, but guitar is at my core. All it takes for me is a song that can do both extremely well, and QOTSA are pivotal to that mantra. The way this songs lures the listener into a hypnotic trains and builds in complexity is one of the reasons why I love Alt Rock.
Tigercub – Memory Boy
We had the pleasure of playing with Tigercub in Clwb Ifor Bach last year and they sound checked with this song. Their sound melted my face and still does to this day. They’re the best band in the world right now. Period.
Orchards – Peggy
I love a song that challenges the listener to find something new each time they play it. To this day, I still find nuggets of gold in this song that I didn’t hear on previous spins. Not only that, but they nail every beat live. That level of songwriting is incredibly rare and I can’t wait to hear more from them.
Zac's picks:
Foo Fighters – Learn to Fly
This was one of the first songs I’d heard that really got me into rock music. I’d like to be Taylor Hawkins when I grow up.
blink-182 – Feeling This
Travis Barker’s crazy style of drumming inspired me to start playing drums in the first place!
Paramore – Feeling Sorry
I was massively into Paramore when I started playing drums. Playing along to RIOT and Brand New Eyes was challenging but also so fun! Zac Farro is the real OG.
Joint pick:
IDLES – Well Done
We all love their work. They’re cutting-edge punk and they know exactly what they’re doing. We’re obsessed!
