THEIR sound is brash and vibrant but it's what they want to hear in the Valleys, explains songwriter Luke Davies.

Monday Nite Drinker, which began life as a young trio under the name of Nexus, has now been expanded to a line-up of six for which Luke Davies, 18, and on his gap year before university, is the creative pivot. The complete line-up is Tom Hollister, 16, vocals and bass; Phil Lewis, 24, on guitar; Tomos Long, on drums, Gareth Peebles, a new member on guitar, and Luke himself.

It is the former Kingdom Hall in Cwmcarn - none of the Monday Nite Drinkers live more than two miles from the practice venue - and they are launched into their first number, Two, a strident and powerful work which contains some delicate guitar riffs.

Say Goodbye which follows has a mellower feel. Runaway, the third number, returns to a more robust style.

"We are realistic. The first job is to entertain people. We intersperse our own work with cover versions in a formula that has got us an excellent local following. Sometimes you'll see people mouthing the words of our own songs which we naturally take as a compliment," Luke says.

Monday Nite Drinker is a good solid band that knows its audience and understands that it is in the business of giving value for money in a part of Wales that does not suffer fools.

It has ambitions. One CD has been made and another is to follow, but for the moment the pubs and the clubs of South Wales are the bread and butter.

"Like everyone else we have ambitions, but if you want to be spotted you have to get out there and perform," Luke says.

"The more people like you, the more chances you've got."

Monday Nite Drinker headline Risca's Party On The Pitch on August 9.