Maximo Park Love Gangsta Rap

Maximo Park have revealed the unlikely inspiration behind their new album - hip hop.

"Im more interested in the new Clipse record than anything from (the current indie scene)," frontman Paul Smith told MTV.co.uk. "The production values are interesting. Musically its peerless and thats what I look for. Bands dont interest me as much as singer-songwriters or electronic music."

And he reveals the lads are currently listening to Snoop Dog on their tour bus. "Everybody is a big Snoop Dogg fan. When 'Doggystyle' came out I remember listening to it round my friends house and it was a bit illicit for young lads to be listening to but it was amazing.

"As Warren G branded it, it was the G-Funk era and it was pretty hard not to get swallowed up by it! I remember buying the 12-inch of Drop It Like its Hot and just thinking Oh my word, this is smooth.' Obviously its down to Pharrell William's production but if Snoop keeps dropping it like its hot, well be happy.

And the lads are hoping these influences are felt on their new album, 'Our Earthly Pleasures', out in April.

Smith said, "We went in (the studio) thinking we wanted a more open sounding record with heavier elements and a more melodic edge.

"Were not an indie band; there are a lot of bands whose limits in life are to be an indie band. I just want to be in a band that makes music, I dont care what genre it is."

The synthtastic newbie 'Our Velocity' hits shops on March 19 while the new album follows on April 2.

SLJ