PRETTY VICIOUS, one of the breakthrough bands of last year, are one of the big names on the Uncommon Stage this weekend.

The young indie-punk rockers from Merthyr’s show in Southampton is their first festival of the year.

Their metaphoric rise after playing their debut gig at The Redhouse in Merthyr Tydfil 18 months ago and being championed by Radio Wales, Huw Stephens and Zane Lowe is close to being the stuff of legend.

Incredibly, they are already veterans of Glastonbury and Isle of Wight and have supported Manic Street Preachers at Cardiff Castle.

Before they left for Southampton frontman singer-guitarist Brad Griffiths, drummer Elliot Jones, bassist Jarvis Morgan and guitarist Tom McCarthy caught up with the Southern Daily Echo.

“Our set at Common People is going to be packed with our most banging tunes, the ones that people want to throw themselves about to and jump around.

“When you're at a festival in front of a crowd and you haven't had an album out yet, you've got to take the opportunity to make an impression!”

The lads were last in Southampton in November when they headlined an astonishing shock and awe show at The Joiners.

“Playing The Joiners for the first time was insane. It was where we debuted our single Are You Ready For Me live and it went down so well. Hopefully it'll be even better this time around.

“This year we’ve had to turn down quite a few festivals and other gigs because we're working hard getting our first album right, trying out producers, working on new material and just generally laying the foundations for a mega 2017.

“But the festivals that we are doing this year are going to be amazing though! Common People is just the start of gigs we're excited for!

“Our latest EP, Cave Song, has done really well so far and our current tour is selling amazingly, so it's great to see people start to get behind the band.”

The band can’t wait for Euro 2016 and even looking forward to beyond the group stages.

“Obviously we're saying that we'll make it all the way, but we genuinely think that this Wales squad is one of the strongest we've ever had! Unfortunately, France's squad is also one of the best they've ever had so it's not looking too likely, but we can dream!”

After Common People the band return to the south for Victorious Festival in Southsea over the August Bank Holiday Weekend and Bestival on the Isle of Wight on September 10.

But first Pretty Vicious play The Uncommon Stage on Sunday.

RICHARD DERBYSHIRE