Happy birthday (From Western Telegraph)

Happy birthday

Sickofantic's 5th Birthday Bash Queen's Hall, Narberth, July 22nd

Sickofantic's fifth birthday bash, as expected, threw up an astonishing constellation of talents in the hot musical heat of a gig that was topped and tailed by two bands who knew how to strike a pose.

It was love at first sound as blues-rock babes The Big Apple Credits started the party off in some style, twinkly-eyed frontman Johnny wielding his tambourine and a winning 1,000 watt smile. The spectacular sound of Supernauts followed with their melodic sense and warm washes of emotive keyboards. Skeptic John's aggressively agitated punk-metal then provided a significant counter-punch to what had gone before, as they re-acquainted us with their nerve-shredding raw sound. Carmarthen stars Nikolai shone brightly, their expertly crafted pop songs fused with a poetic sensibility.

Robust rock retroists Tokyo Dragons headlined, with some top-grade party material bruising the speakers with, among others, their floor-filling recent single What The Hell. What they lacked in edge and originality they made up for in the quality and professionalism of their sound, as admirably tight as the denim they were wearing. And so it was, all told, the steamingly hottest party of the summer so far.

Picture: Chris Rees