Frontman Fran Healy promises their 'best' show

Since debuting in 1997, the Scottish Britpop group Travis has never lost their simple yet refined musical charms.

The quartet (singer Francis "Fran" Healy, guitarist Andy Dunlop, bassist Dougie Payne and drummer Neil Primrose) took the world by storm with hits like "Why Does it Always Rain on Me?", "Driftwood", "Sing" and "Flowers in the Window".

Now with their sixth album ready to come out soon, Travis have hit the road again. So, before the group hit Bangkok, Daily Xpress had a little chat with the frontman.

Where are you guys?

London. Actually I live here. We're going to France soon to do festivals.

What's up with "Ode to J Smith"?

We were at the end of the tour for the album, "The Boy With No Name", and we were excited and wanted to get back into the studio and do a little work. We had a deadline, because Dougie was having a baby. So, we decided to write an album in five weeks. This was in November and we recorded it before March - it was a very, very slim chance but we did it anyway. I think we've got one of our best albums.

What's it like?

It's really ambitious and really exciting, also very melodic. There's a bit more electric guitar in there as well.

You've been around for a while, how do you see yourself in the indie scene?

We're not exactly the Rolling Stones yet, and we're not brand new. I think we're half way through our career, but we're far from finished. Next plan is to go on a world tour and release an album on our own label… and just keep on going I suppose. We've got what it takes to create and record.

Bands like Coldplay have said you inspired them.

Travis is a really different band from Coldplay, and I think we're different from any other band because we don't do things in a certain way. Our success is due to good songs and strong melodies. We're still surprised at how successful we are.

What are you listening to now?

I'm enjoying some American alternative rock right now.

What do you know about Bangkok?

I haven't seen it yet. I guess it's really, really busy there - like New York?

What's the concert going to be like?

It will be a good show, because we've got a song list spanning six albums. We'll play some new songs as well.

Do you like Simple Plan?

I don't know their music to be honest.

Anything to say to the fans?

Sorry it's taken so long for us to come. We'll give you the best show.

XTRA

Win free tickets

>> Travis and Simple Plan Live in Bangkok is at 8pm on July 29 at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.

>> Four pairs of tickets worth Bt1,500 are being offered by BEC-Tero Entertainment to the first Daily Xpress readers who can answer this question: What cities do Travis and Simple Plan come from?

>> Send your answer with your full name and telephone number to xpressquiz@gmail.com by Monday. The winners' names will be announced here on Wednesday.

>> Tickets are Bt600 to Bt3,000 at Thaiticketmajor. Call (02) 262 3456.