5 Questions: Switches

London's latest pop export isn't a sassy, modern millie dissin' dudes to sunny melodies; it's a rock band. Not the most original type of music to come from the land of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and David Bowie, but

Switches are unique in that they buck the trend of bands from both the UK and across the pond to, well... sound British.

From Weezer-like keyboard hooks, classic double harmonies ala The Raspberries and a swaggering, vocal nod to '90s underground popsters The Dandy Warhols, they're making geek rock dressed up in indie chic.

ARTISTdirect caught up with frontman Matt Bishop to find out what gets Switches turned on...

1. Name a musician who has influenced your sound but that people may not expect.

Captain Beefheart. He made some crazy music but I've listened to so much of it that it's with me forever. I think Ollie (guitarist) has been greatly influenced by the bluesy slide guitar work, and I like his simpler MOR albums too.

2. Who or what inspires you to make music?

I'm inspired by the feelings a finished song can give me, the only moment I feel real power. It's a natural high, but no less addictive for that, 'cos once you've felt it once all you wanna do is make more.

3. Was there a driving concept behind your new album?

The only concept we had was to make an album full of singles. Great singles have always been important to me growing up and we wanted to cram our record full of them. Saying that, we wanna stretch ourselves next time, so we're gonna try to include some album tracks! But all thriller, no filler.

4. What's the most exciting part of the music-making process for you?

The whole thing: from writing, to mastering the track, to playing it live is exiting. Theres no let up; it's a constant buzz. The end product always excites me, and then when you watch someone else get it, it just starts again—word of mouth excitement is the whole basis for what we do.

5. If you could pick a dream band to open for, past or present, who would it be?

Super Furry Animals. I love watching them so much. If it was a band from the past, It would have to be The Beach Boys.

Switches debut album Lay Down The Law will be out October 10 on Interscope.

—Danielle Allaire
08.30.07