Eventually, the guy just went mad.

We weren't expecting it, but there are always a few token nominations every year. There are a lot of those Class of 2005 angular guitar bands on the list and I'm pleased that we stand out as something completely different.

I'm already breaking the rules.

The audience differs everywhere we go. I've been sent e-mails from 18-year-old girls asking us to play birthday parties. We get middle-aged women jumping around. Generally, I like to think it's people who know their [stuff]. They talk about us being a nice change from all those angular guitar bands, the haircut and skinny-tie brigade.

All my momma's people were very musical. My grandpa, who was the Pentecostal minister, he was a great musician. He played the fiddle, he played the piano.

People are always asking me in interviews, 'What do you think of foreign affairs?' I just say, 'I've had a few.'