The Kennedy Soundtrack

Emerging from Wales during the first years of the 2000s, The Kennedy Soundtrack fused the anguished force of nu-metal and alternative rock with hip-hop's street rhythms and precise wordcraft as a rap-rock collective. Success arrived in 2002 via their first full-length release, Tale of 2 Cities, after which the group halted activity for an extended period. A 2018 reunion brought forth a collection of B-sides and unreleased tracks.

Assembled in 1999 in South East Wales by Nic Havard on vocals, Dave Challenger handling vocals and guitar, Rob Giles on guitar and effects, Elliot Blake on bass, and Troy Marshall on drums, the outfit gained notice in tandem with other Welsh acts such as Funeral for a Friend, A Bullet for My Valentine, and Skindred. After sharpening their live skills across Newport venues, the musicians traveled to London, where Sony imprint Instant Karma quickly signed them. Three potent singles—"Killing Music," "Bloodshot Eyes," and "24/7"—propelled the 2002 debut album Tale of 2 Cities to the Best Newcomer award at the Welsh Music Awards. Although the record achieved solid U.K. results, it found no traction internationally, prompting the label to drop the band, which then split. The 2018 return included a concert appearance and the B-sides release, with studio sessions for fresh material slated for the next year.