What we've noticed is that people latch onto our music, and are very, very supportive of it, even almost defensive about it. Quite fanatical, some fans, aren't they? Just like they are in England, once they get a hold of "their" band, they don't want their band to get too big anyways.

What we've noticed is that people latch onto our music, and are very, very supportive of it, even almost defensive about it. Quite fanatical, some fans, aren't they? Just like they are in England, once they get a hold of "their" band, they don't want their band to get too big anyways.

I've heard that Oasis or Coldplay will sell tickets, but they can't sell records. They sold out Madison Square Garden in three hours. And they can't sell albums. I don't know what's going on.

We wouldn't be so naive to say something like "feel any competition with Coldplay." All we can do is come out and gig, and we have a really good loyal fanbase, people really "get" the band, and that's all we can do.

We know how to work certain toys, and if you've got something in your head you know how to get in on tape, even if it's got an abstract sound to it. We are kind of producers as well as a band, so we're a self-contained unit. We can produce our own record as well as write it.

I got really passionate about music with early Smiths and Joy Division. And New Order, Sonic Youth, Cramps...kind of right across the board, whatever fell underground. Kraftwerk...it was really mixed. Quite confusing, I suppose, but it just felt good.

A lot of Manchester now - it's creating jobs and that's great, but some of the character is getting sucked out. There's good and bad, but our personal perspective is that it's just a shame. You in Chicago protect your buildings, we don't have that. You'll find a good building will get replaced by a horrible looking thing.