Scottish pop group Travis believe they may become as big as U2, the group’s frontman, Fran Healy, told a newspaper interviewer.
“Do we think we can be as big as U2? It would be rude not to,” he told The Sun.
“It’s about longevity and staying together through the madness. U2 are a great example of a band who’ve gone on for more than 20 years, written good songs and kept their integrity.
“They are a great role model. They’re doing well and that’s refreshing because they can still move people and write great songs in an incredibly ageist industry.”
Travis, whose moody guitar-laced ballads won them band and album of the year at last year’s Brit awards, are releasing their third album The Invisible Band.
Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney is a big fan, said Healy. “We sent a copy of the new album to him and we had a phone call that very day. Apparently Paul was sitting in his garden, chilling, and listening to it and he liked it.”
Healy said he had met McCartney while recording a television program and had played him an unfinished track from the new album, “Flowers in the Window.”
“He said: ‘That’s a great little song.’ He helped us finish the ending but we didn’t give him a credit on the sleeve.”
Healy, who became engaged to his German photographer girlfriend Nora Kryst last October, said the band’s constant touring meant he could not finally get married till next summer.
“We’ve got 18 months solid touring now, but when me and Nora got engaged there was never any day set.
“We thought we’d do it when we have a spare week, so maybe June next year,” he said.
