Interpol 'proud to be a New York band'

Paul Banks has said that he is proud to call Interpol a New York band.

The Essex-born frontman, who left England when he was 3, told Metro that the US city was important to the group.

Banks said: "We're as much a New York band as other New York bands. We formed there, we wrote all our records there, we're from there, but so are The Strokes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio.

"There's a grit to New York bands too, a certain angst built into music that comes out of New York City. I'm proud to be a New York band."

Asked if he was an 'Essex man', Banks said: "I've heard of the alternate gender, the Essex girl. I don't know what an Essex man is."

Told that it meant 'lots of hair gel and fake tan', he quipped: "I f**king love it. It's not far from the mark."

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