Lostprophets send Pop Idol fans running

Backstage at One Big Sunday, Swansea

Lostprophets have a clear strategy to life - play loud and have fun.

Their growing legion of fans, built off the back of hard graft on tour, revel in the energy poured into live live performances.

Striking ludicrous wrestling poses for the cameras backstage at One Big Sunday in Swansea, the band mingled freely with a handful of lucky fans.

Rubbing shoulders with R&B stars and teeny bop singers is a weird experience, but Lostprophets are up for anything.

The band watched on bemused as Destiny's Child sweep out of the festival after their set, with a huge entourage in tow.

Towering drummer Mike Chiplin grinned from ear to ear as Beyonce Knowles sashayed by him, saying 'hello'.

Fuelled on a diet of burgers and milkshakes, the band bounds round for hours before their stunningly loud set, following clean-cut Will Young and Gareth Gates.

Radio 1 presenter and Lostprophets fan Jamie Theakston earmarked a spot stage left to take in their punchy if brief appearance.

Cranking up the amps, the band let rip with Fake Sound of Progress, sending hoards of pre-teen Gates and Young fans running for cover.

With the final chords of Fake ringing in the ears, they launched into the anthemic Shinobi v Dragon Ninja, which is proving a hit both sides of the Atlantic.

With their album thefakesoundofprogress reaching gold a fortnight ago, Glastonbury Festival and a major US tour set for July, the band are clearly on a roll.

But they have their feet rooted to the ground: "When it was released, we would have been amazed if it sold half a dozen copies," said guitarist Mike Lewis.

"We've played every little pub and club and our fanbase has escalated.

"Some people get lucky with TV breaks, but those people that do not put in the time building up a core fanbase will not last."

Mike added: "When we found out A were playing here we said 'hey, strength in numbers!' and thought it would be a laugh, but we are not elitist.

"We have just been taking the p*** out of everyone.

"This would have been an extra cool day if the sun was out, but this is a typical Welsh day!"

Their oriental nu metal masterpiece Shinobi has also drummed up a fanbase in the Far East, with a trip to Japan and Australia also on the cards.

Mike Lewis added that a mini-tour of the UK in October and a return to the recording studio before Christmas are also planned.