The band only use keyboards and drums, which has encouraged a rumour that they've got something against guitars.

"There's nothing that we won't do," says Hughes.

"Tim [Keane's pianist] has used a blanket spread across the piano to see what it sounded like. We use pedals, amplifiers and pods with guitar effects."

"It's not like an artist deciding not to use brushes."

On the comparisons with Coldplay, Hughes has this to say:"It's just a lazy comparison. I don't read what people say about us. They could compare us to Black Sabbath for all I care." Though he adds that they still look up to the archetypal guitar band Radiohead and approves of their more recent electronic direction.

On Thailand: "We've been touring around and now we're in here. It's amazing. We were at the Grand Palace. When we got thirsty we tried this mango juice - it was amazing."

On the band's future: "We will be doing what we are doing. We should get together and play soccer more…care about each other more. The atmosphere of the recording process is crucial in making an album."

Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra

The Nation