British Sea Power have earned a reputation as one of the country's most eccentric bands. Ahead of their Cambridge show, Patrick Garety talks to frontman Yan about Rock Music, Kylie, and the shipping forecast

British Sea Power are arguably the best live band in Britain. They are also quite possibly out of their minds. The indie rock outfit's third album asks the profound question: Do You Like Rock Music? "For, surely," BSP claim, "Rock Music and Non-Rock Music are synonyms for all that is truly good and truly bad in this world". Examples of Rock Music include Iggy Pop and the rock formations of Scafell Pike, while Non-Rock Music may be summed up by Mussolini, tuberculosis and U2. Do You Like Rock Music? is Rock Music.

Typical of BSP's distinctive and diverse tastes, the album was recorded in the Czech Republic, Montreal, and Fort Tregantle - a 19th century fortification on the Cornish cliffs. A few reviewers have judged the album to be something of a sell-out, but, as front-man Yan reasons, "I don't know how you can be accused of selling out when your second single mentions the Hitler Youth... Obviously in a non-supportive way!"

Although it characteristically references the past and remote, BSP's most recent effort is much more about "capturing the present" than any of their previous material. For the first time, writing credits are split almost equally between brothers Yan and Hamilton. "He's coming into his prime now," laughs Yan. Many of their songs are still driven by a passion for nature and history, which has prompted references as varied as Czech assassins, Dostoyevsky, and the wrestler Big Daddy. "I always think they're really obvious," Yan explains, "and then people get confused by them". From Sussex churches to collapsing ice shelves, and a fair selection of everything in between, the lyrics leave the listener both bemused and enthralled.

Once BSP finish their current tour, they are set to start working on their next record. Any thoughts for the recording location? "I'm going for forest. If I could find that I think the song writing will go well". It's a question of "Where do you want to be?" according to Yan. "A lot of studios aren't far off a high-tech Travelodge". BSP go to such lengths to feel that the experience is "less like making a car in a precision factory, and a bit more like you're creating something".

BSP certainly pushed themselves out of their comfort zone for this latest album, recording in significantly subzero Canadian temperatures: "Waiting outside the studio you'd want to take a piss but you'd be too scared that it'd freeze before hitting the ground". It is hardly surprising that a band which substitutes sex, drugs and rock & roll for flora, fauna and Cornish forts and believes that giving up your seat on the bus epitomises Rock Music, fails to find many kindred spirits on the summer festival circuit. "We have our own strange way of doing things; it's a bit more basic, a bit more fun than most people". Jan's idea of fun includes listening to the shipping forecast: "it's climate porn!"
Other keen interests of the band include ornithology and Ordnance Survey maps (journalists have received coordinates for interview meeting points). Their stage dressing often comprises foliage and plastic birds. Yan is keen to express that "trees are beautiful things". This is hardly a controversial viewpoint, but the band's idiosyncrasy comes through in his explanation: "They're free; you can decorate stages with them; they're always different, they're always in season, and if you have to, you can use them to defend yourself."

Yan thinks that they're "sort of lingering" on the edge of the mainstream. "We've never been a trendy band really; we've never been like an instant-success-and-then-gone-tomorrow band". They haven't felt pressurised into producing hit singles by their label Rough Trade and, after all, Major Labels are distinctive features of Non-Rock Music. Yet Yan still believes that a good record is not necessarily distinct from a popular record. Do You Like Rock Music? may have peaked at only 10 in the British charts, but five-star reviews abound. Expect to see it on numerous ‘Best of 2008' lists.

If you've been to a BSP gig, you will understand the kind of powerful stage presence that propelled this cult act to national exposure. "If someone says ‘when you're at your most powerful', you think of He-Man or something" - at least Yan does - "he's at his most powerful when he draws his sword". BSP certainly ‘draw their sword' when they play live. A raw, visceral energy flies around the venue, whether it's a vast stadium or a small pub brimming over with bewildered but exhilarated locals. "I like to think I'm pretty powerful about the house as well," Yan adds.

BSP's mad performance antics and bizarre costumes (usually charity shop fare or WWI outfits) certainly aren't there to compensate for the music. Nominated for the recent Mercury award, BSP are now up for ‘Artist of the Year' in the BT Digital Music Awards. "I'd say we've even less chance of winning this one," Yan admits. "It'd be great to beat Kylie though". The desire to surpass more commercially-geared acts is hardly surprising, but then he unashamedly admits that "it's mostly awards that I care about". What about fans? "I'd swap the whole Third Battalion [BSP's fiercely loyal following] for the musical equivalent of a gold medal in a flash".

BSP set themselves the task of "providing for the needs of both the higher and lower self", and Do You Like Rock Music? does not disappoint, encompassing frenzied guitar work, literary and political opinions, and euphoric vocal crescendos. When asked whether he feels the band has found maturity, Yan reluctantly admits, "I guess I am getting on a bit..." However, maturity isn't something he's after. Whether this comes from a desire to be constantly searching for something new, or simply not wishing to grow up, it's obvious that BSP will always continue to surprise. Now British Sea Power demands: "You must choose between Rock Music and Non-Rock Music. Choose rightly, and be rewarded".