So, lead singer Damon took time out from shopping to meet The Ozone and separate the facts from the fiction.

You've been under immense pressure in this country, but you've just been to America.

How did it go over there?

Well, surprisingly well, actually, this time.

I mean, it's been four years ahead in America for us.

You know, just despairing, sort of, not lack of interest, but lack of sort of understanding of what we're doing.

But this time, it was just different.

You were hotly tipped to win the Mercury Music Prize.

Were you disappointed when you didn't win that?

I don't think any sort of sane human being wouldn't be a little bit disappointed when they'd spend all evening, sort of, you know, at an awards ceremony.

Sort of everyone's saying, oh, you're going to win, and then you don't.

But I knew I wasn't going to win as soon as I got there, because there was a tip-off.

Terribly corrupt.

But you're not bitter?

No, not at all, but I'm just, you know, all these things are a bit of a scam.

Whoever wins.

Does it annoy the rest of the band that you've become a bit of a heartthrob?

I think it slightly annoys Alex, because, you know, he should be a heartthrob as well, really.

He was born to be a heartthrob.

Does it annoy you that you're a heartthrob?

It's not something to get annoyed about, is it?

You're heavily associated with being a band from London.

What is it about London that you like so much?

Well, I live here.

That's it?

I was born here.

I don't know.

I like the way you can be such a chameleon here, you know?

I can get in a taxi as one person and go out as another.

The only reason that London is an issue is because I just like to place my characters, you know?

I like the idea of them having a place to go.

That's not what I wanted, but it's cheap enough.

What have you got?

Philip Larkin, Wits and Weddings, Miserable Man.

But a good poet.

And best of all?

The Armchair Conductor with three baton, although it's not an authentic baton, because that should be cork.

We'll make do for the sake of this.

Yeah.

Let's just see how it is.