"There's no song that gets any more or any less attention than the other. We are very song-oriented in the sense to where we make sure it has its own life and personality. It doesn't have to sound like the last song we did." Speaking thoughtfully in a southern drawl, Ed Roland lead vocalist of Atlanta, GA's premier rock outfit Collective Soul — dismisses the spectre of success with a quiet laugh. "We're radio friendly. That's a good problem to have."

Some problem. Being "radio friendly" has propelled Collective Soul into the upper stratosphere of modern music, turning them into the band holding the distinction of scoring more Number One rock radio hits in North America than any other act during the 1990s. More than Radiohead. More than Pearl Jam. More than U2. From the massive breakthrough hit "Shine" in 1994 from Hints, Allegations And Things Left Unsaid right through to "Run" from 1999's Dosage, Collective Soul have managed a feat most bands never achieve near-consistent radio support.

Collective Soul

"It's three and a half minutes. That's what we're about. There's no song over four minutes on the CD. No radio edits needed," deadpans Roland, with a smile in regards to their latest effort Blender. "I think now we're more comfortable with ourselves and I think we're a little more comfortable with success. And I don't mean that as an egotistical statement or a boastful statement. I mean that we were just thrown out there in the beginning. It took us a while to figure out what the hell to do next."

"The act that brought us to becoming comfortable was the lawsuit." Guitarist Ross Childress explains, bringing up the well-documented point at which the band became embroiled in a heated conflict with former management that brought everything right down to who had the right to the name Collective Soul into question. The band has since emerged with a brighter perspective. "It took us off course. It was a very trying and hard time to go through. But we got through that and Dosage was there after."

"But I think we've learned to have fun with it now," Roland continues introspectively. "When you get thrown out there so quick and we were a band for a long time together before we got thrown out there. Most bands get signed, they get time to write songs. They get time to re-record them. They get time to get familiar with the record company and familiar with the surroundings. We had none of that. We had a hit before we had a record company."

Even with their already massive success, Collective Soul shows no signs of stopping. Roland eagerly names off performers who continue to influence the band, including the Beatles, Jeff Lynne and especially Elton John, who appears on Blender singing with the band on the mid-tempo number "Perfect Day."

"We've gotten to know him over the last five years and become really good friends with him. He is, by far, the biggest musical influence on me, so it's been a pleasure and an honor to get to know him and hang out with him... He was very gracious. Came in and knocked it out in two takes. He's a professional from the word go. We sat around the rest of the day hanging out and talking trash..."

Childress sights an additional set of influence from hip-hop and R&B. "My introduction was Prince. I went back and listened to all the early stuff of his. He's an incredible songwriter and he's gone through various stages in his career. Now he's going back to funk stuff."

Childress, who happens to be sharply dressed in a most Prince-like ensemble is pointed out by Roland. "Thank God this outfit looks like Prince instead of the 'underwear Prince' outfit Ross has. The Dirty Mind outfit that Ross is wanting to bust out on this tour..."

"The bikini underwear with the jacket. I think that would look great onstage." Childress interjects.

Which, as it must, leads to a discussion of whether or not the bikini bottoms would involve a thong. And, if so, would Collective Soul be inspired enough by it to perform a heartfelt rendition of Sisqo's "Thong Song" during the show? Roland attempts a chorus with howling effect. "I've almost got it." He grins. Breaking into a smooth announcer voice, Roland claims, "We have a money back guarantee going on for Collective Soul. Come and see us live and you will not want your money back."

He laughs, continuing, "You won't get it back even if you do want it. No.. I'll be happy to get Ross' wallet and pay you whatever you want."