This psychedelic rock outfit emerged out of a dry, dull little city called Sparta in Tennessee.

Like The Kings Of Leon, who are from a similarily sleepy, old fashioned pocket of then American South up the road, the band formed in bored teenage years. They played Zeppelin and Beatles covers in old barns, garages and the odd party or two, (since Sparta lacked anything like a concert venue or a band rehearsal room) and found themselves on the long road to international success.

Of course, Tennessee is the home of Nashville, well-known as the centre of country music. But The Features play fresh, off-kilter pop which has little to do with this strain of tune.

Last year the four-piece - made up of drummer Rollum Haas, keyboardist Parrish Yaw (who, as his name suggests, looks like he's just strolled out from some 18th Century ghost town), bassist Roger Dabbs and singer/guitarist Matt Pelham - were featured on a BBC radio documentary called Boys, Beards and Bourbon alongside fellow Southern bands Kings Of Leon and My Morning Jacket. But they were unimpressed to be pigeonholed by their background.

"The lady on the BBC was asking these questions, like: 'Growing up in the South, did you find it difficult to escape influences like Gospel and blues and stuff like that," frowns Rollum.

"I'm not going to speak for everyone else but you can't make generalisations like that, because everyone grows up in a totally different environment.

"For me it's a bizarre stereotype. My dad was a big prog rock fan. He was into Yes and stuff like that."

The transition from local yokel band to international superstars is a long process for this gang, who have been playing together for over 10 years and are only just breaking out beyond the Southern states.

"I don't know how hard we tried to get record deals before," says Matthew. "We were sort of in this weird limbo stage for a while.

"I'm not sure when the break came, I think it's just a normal thing that happens - people tell their friends, their friends come to the shows, and just by word of mouth it gets bigger and bigger."

So now The Features are signed both in the US and this side of Atlantic, and their debut album Exhibit A is released in the UK this week. It is a dazzling romp of razor-sharp guitars, retro keyboards and lush melodies which combines new-wave influences with Sixties pop. It has been applauded in the press as a more emotionally-charged, American version of The Coral.

They are touring all over the place and loving their new-found fame.

"Being in a rock 'n' roll band, playing music, it's all great fun," explains Parrish. "The travelling gets you to places you've never been before. Playing for people you've never played for before and seeing what their reaction is is great.

"Playing your hometown is cool, but you already expect something, you know? When you go to a new place it's like starting all over again, and that's really neat."

Despite this alleged joy of going somewhere new, The Features have had a few troubles with adjusting to the differences in the UK.

"The stages here - I've noticed are a little smaller than back home," says Rollum. "Our keyboard is like an Emerson, Lake and Palmer rig so we had to squeeze it all in. Nightmare."

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