Borderline crazy

Alternative rockers Kasabian - steadily maturing with their third studio album "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum" - were in Malaysia headlining the first "MTV World Stage" last weekend, and we had an exclusive date.

Setting the tone with their self-titled debut album in 1999 and the follow-up "Empire" in 2004, Kasabian are known for their electronic trance variations on the sound of Stone Roses and Primal Scream - as well as their arrogance and cutting comments. Fellow British band Keane was once slagged off as "students".

We and sat down to talk and braced for some barbs, but none was forthcoming.

What's with the long album name?

Singer Tom Meighan: It's more interesting than a one-word title.

It refers to an asylum.  Are you guys crazy?

Guitarist Sergio Pizzorno: Every day!

Meighan: Every musician is on the borderline of lunacy, be it Picasso or John Lennon. If they weren't doing what they did, they'd be in a nuthouse.

Any luck in getting Quentin Tarantino to direct your live DVD?

Meighan: We'll have one out this year.

Pizzorno: I'd be good if he agreed. Scorsese did the Stones, and it'd be cool to have someone like Tarantino doing the DVD for us.

Why him?

Meighan: He's just amazing.

Pizzorno: In a parallel world he inspires people by films with clever interpretations. We do our music inspired by what comes before and make it the 21st-century version, the same way he makes his films.

I can't watch a lot of killing, but I could watch "Kill Bill" over and over because there's interpretation to it.

How do you like the music scene now?

Meighan: There's no rock star, no David Bowie out there today. "Rock star" is like a myth now.

Who's your rock star then?

Meighan: Mine's Elvis.

Sergio: Keith Richards.

How have you evolved as a band?

Pizzorno: I've grown six inches taller and my feet got bigger!