Live (and that's live as in 'alive', not live as in 'live and let die') are currently enjoying the success of their second album, "Throwing Copper", which has sold a million in the States. They came all the way from York, Pennsylvania to play our very own Edwards No. 8. The Birmingham Sun caught up with Patrick (bass) and Chad (drums) pre-gig.

Live had just enjoyed a break over Christmas and this was the first gig of the year and the first night of their English tour. Wouldn't playing Edwards No. 8 be a bit of a come down for a band who, over their three year history, have played to 80,000 people at The Hollywood Rock festival and who also played at Woodstock 1994? Is this their rock'n'roll dream?

"Yeah, playing Edward's No.8, baby (?!?!...Ed) It's real homey," said Patrick.

For Live, like many large bands, playing small gigs is more intimate and atmostpheric.

This is the fourth time that Live have played in England, although these dates are their first full-length gigs. One thing the band have noticed on their previous visits to England, according to Patrick, is that English audiences are "more drunk" than American audiences as the alcohol age limit is higher than in England.

"The shows we've just done in the States were full of sober young kids."

Continuing on the subject of the rock'n'roll dream, have they trashed any hotel rooms recently?

"I trashed my own room last week when I was home 'cos I had a party and it got a little out of hand," said Patrick.

Could this be one of the reasons why the band have been labelled as nerds? Do they like their nerdy image?

From the moans and groans that associated their reply, "No, man", "What's up?", "Come aaahn" -- one can infer that the band are a bit sick of this geeky tag.

"But," Patrick added, "I guess we're not a real image band."

Chad was a bit more philosophical: "I don't think I look like a nerd, but hey, whatever, if I do, so be it."

So, how do they feel about selling a million records?

"Well, it wasn't high on our priority list when we set out," replied Patrick, "but I think we didn't have to compromise what we were doing to achieve it."

For Patrick, one of the advantages of selling a million records is that it'll help him buy a new house -- no doubt he'll wreck that one too.

Musically, the band have been described as REM meets Pearl Jam -- is this a fair comparison?

"I don't think we sound like Pearl Jam," said Patrick, "but what I can relate to is the intensity of their songs."

For intensity, listen to "I Alone", the band's latest single, which is, according to Patrick, "a really obsessive love song."

Chad scoffed at the Pearl Jam comparison: "We've been together longer than Pearl Jam."

But what about REM? "They were a big influence when we were growing up... along with Captain Beefheart."

An adamant "no" greeted the tentative suggestion that they were merely another American grunge band: "Just because we have guitars," said Patrick, "I dunno, calling us grunge in the press makes things simple."

Finally, why Live?

"We couldn't find anything else better," replied Chad.

"We thought we'd connect with that whole English thing, y'know -- Blur, Ride... Live. It's a dumb name," admitted Patrick.

But then again, they are nerds.

"We're not that smart," he agreed.

Later that evening, Live played a good, tight set and were very powerful live (sorry). "Shit Towne" went down a storm -- Ed (lead singer) introduced it by saying the Mayor of York "shit his pants" when he heard it -- I can well imagine. "I Alone", which they performed on The Word the following night, was another highlight. Considering that they are relatively unknown over here, Edwards was heaving and a good time, as they say, was had by all (Very original - other Ed).

During the aftershow party, I managed to get myself into a heated discussion with the other Chad (guitarist), who was moaning about The Beatles copying America (Eh?...Ed).

Unfortunately, I can't remember what was said too clearly as I was pissed (cheers!). Next time I'll take my dictaphone.