by David Morgan

THEY have sold more than 20 million records and had five number one albums in a row.

But Richard Jones of the Stereophonics said the secret to the Welsh band's success is no more complicated than friendship.

He grew up with frontman Kelly Jones and the group's former drummer, the late Stuart Cable, in Cwmaman, a small mining village in south Wales.

And the 41-year-old said he and Kelly dreamed of being in a band even before they could play instruments.

"We used to draw the album covers of the hard rock bands of the early 80s in Kelly’s bedroom when we were kids," said Richard.

"I had a milk round when I was 12 so I managed to save up some money over the course of two years and bought my first bass guitar when I was 14.

"It was a Hohner and it cost about £160 and then my brother lent me some money to buy an amp."

The first song he learnt was Badge by Cream.

Richard added: "My father used to shout up the stairs: ‘Play a different song please!’

"Because I used to learn one thing and master it and then move on to something else and sometimes it would take me days."

Four years later, the trio were performing in working men's clubs and released their triple platinum debut album, Word Gets Around, in 1997.

They have not stopped since with their ninth record, Keep the Village Alive, due out in September.

Their popularity has not waned either – they sold out 16 arena shows on their Graffiti On The Train UK tour in 2013.

"I think you make it work by having a good relationship with your band mates," said Richard.

"Kelly and I have been great friends since day one really."

- Stereophonics perform at V Festival in Staffordshire on August 22 and anyone interested in booking tickets should visit vfestival.com