To coincide with the release of their new album 'Strange Weather, Isn't it?'- Bodytonic's Liam Griffin has a quick chat with !!! (Chk Chk Chk) about their upcoming release, new tour and Berlin nightlife.

Who are !!! in 2010?

The 2nd most talked about dance punk band in existence.

Strange Weather, Isn't It was partly recorded in Berlin. Do you think the city has influenced the sound of the album, and if so, how?

Not sure, but we played music all day, then danced all night to music in clubs, then came back the next day and played music again. How could it not affect it?

Did the band connect with Berlins unique night life?

In more ways than one, my friends. In more ways than 2.

You recently posted all the lyrics for SWII? on your website. Was there any specific reason for this?

I like calling it SWII, haven't seen that one yet. We have this image as a meaningless party band, which we feel lyrically hasn't been true for awhile now. Songs that were from the bottom of hearts were dismissed as frivolous. If people want to criticize the lyrics, they might as well actually read them and see what they're criticizing.

Your first single AM/FM has a kind of Stone Roses feel to it. I was wondering if you are a fan of that period of English music (New Order, Primal Scream, etc) and do you see !!! as belonging to that tradition of making experimental rock which is also essentially "pop"?

Yeah, that seems alright. I mean I don't sit around saying things like, “You got your New Orders, your Primal Screams, and your !!!s”. But listening to you say it sounds good. I'd like to be in those bands company, they were fucking good, right? It's just not that conscious, we just make the music that excites us and whatever it gets filed next to is not our decision.

Do you see !!! as being influences on bands like Yeasayer and MGMT?

Oooh, that'd kinda be a case of diminishing returns, now wouldn't it? New Order, Primal Scream, !!! and then Yeasayer? Sheesh, I hope not.

Do you think their popularity will open up !!! to a wider audience?

I didn't know they were popular.

What are you listening to today?

Mulatu Astatke as I type this, but last night it was The Mole. I like the new Wavves, Tame Impala and Conforce.

The guys from Black Dice made the colourful video for AM/FM- do you have plans to release any more promo videos for your new songs?

In the works, trying to find some stuff we like. it's hard, you know? We're musicians, not filmmakers.

!!! have just announced a pretty big tour across the US and Europe- are you looking forward to getting back on the road? Is there anywhere in particular you're looking forward to playing?

I was just talking last night with our drummer Paul about how much we were excited to get back on the road. Truestory. I love playing, and I'd tour and never stop if people didn't get tired of seeing us. We're looking forward to everywhere, but..... the girls in Argentina are exceptionally beautiful.

Thanks and best of luck with the new album.

Cheers!