Frode Jacobson (bassist, co-founder) climbs a flight of stairs to the right of the Academy 3 venue's claustrophobic stage. Standing a good six foot plus with slender build, his blue suit, white loafers, and pinstripe shirt contrast strongly against his pale skin.

Before we can get started it's off to the book sale round the corner. Ten minutes later, Jacobsen is happily clutching a Conrad novel and Steinbeck's classic Of Mice And Men.

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Into the dressing room and Sivert Hoyem is standing with his hands on his hips. Clad in black blazer, black jeans and boots with a message T-Shirt, the singer has an intimidating presence. Roughly the same height as Jacobson, the shorn headed frontman is well built and a dead ringer for Coldplay's Chris Martin. Drummer Simen Vangen is glued to his laptop and a handshake and a hello is the most OMH will get out of him. Staring out of the window and looking like a cross between Doctor Who and Willy Wonka, is Robert Buras (guitar) with his wild hair, purple cravat and gold hand jewellery.

"When you're on a major and you're not Robbie Williams, they would rather be working with a lot of other things than a small band." - Madrugada bemoan their lack of promotion in the UK prior to last year.

Madrugada have come quite a way from their last visit to these shores. Their last show in Manchester saw just nine people show up. Last night they layed waste to a brimming 100 Club in London, with the well received release of Grit and hyped shows finally starting to crack the nut outside mainland Europe.

"It's only now that we have a record company supporting us in the UK. When you're on a major and you're not Robbie Williams, they would rather be working with a lot of other things than a small band."

After forming in 1993 the band cut their teeth part-time for six solid years. While Jacobson gave up photography and opened a bar, Hoyem studied history and worked summers as a lumberjack. Buras humped constantly from one job to another. From a mail sorter to digging holes in the ground (which only lasted a day), the burly guitarist defies all prejudices. Onstage later, his guitar playing is inexplicably magical. It's amazing to hear an invisible ensemble of Krieger, Hendrix and Page airing out of one Marshall. This is a man who know his pedals.

"We were really working hard on the music. There was no doubt in our minds that one day it would be full-time. We were rehearsing at least five days a week," recalls Jacobsen.

"Being a guitar player was the first thing I wanted to do," adds Buras, playing with a pack of Marley reds.

With Grit released two years ago, their single Majesty was winning hearts and minds across the Continent for a long time before being recently released in the UK.

"It's a funny thing the record industry. Very strange..." quips Hoyem in a semi-Nordic, semi-American accent.

"There's always been a strong link between Britain and Norway." - Madrugada liken Britain to their homeland. Well, we do both score nil points in Eurovision...

After releasing their debut Industrial Silence in 1999, Madrugada established themselves as Norway's premier rock outfit, canvassing Europe with successive releases. With their sophmore effort The Nightly Disease receiving a lukewarm response, the band ditched New York and opted for Berlin in the sessions for Grit.

"Berlin is very experimental. I think people there are curious to check out new things. It doesn't have to be in the papers before you go and check it out. There's a lot of exciting things happening in Berlin," explains Jacobsen.

"Staying in Berlin definitely influenced the album," adds Hoyem.

"This one - we managed to play it live (mostly in two takes). We got that feeling that it was closer to the music we've been influenced by. It's more atmospheric, more quiet, has more soul and is more of a psychedelic but direct album," continues Jacobsen.

"It's been good," he says of the response in Europe. "The one record that's selling the most is the first one."

Despite being from Euroland, the group feel a certain kinship with the UK.

"There's always been a strong link between Britain and Norway. We were very influenced by music from Britain. I think what we didn't see clearly when we were younger, was how much The Jam and the Rolling Stones were really making music from the blues.

"Something we want to do some day is to make our own interpretation of the blues. We've been listening to so much different music, like reggae and dub. Elvis Presley was very important for me. The same with The Velvet Underground. When I heard the banana album for the first time it changed my view on rock music."

While some bands would gladly take 400,000 record sales the band feel they still have to achieve.

"The first record of The White Stripes was amazing." - Madrugada are signed-up members of the Jack & Meg fan club.

"We still have a lot of potential. We just want to keep making albums and make that one album that's as great as any of the other albums we've listened to," says Hoyem.

"We see that with many bands who just play and eventually reach that record. The Stones are unique 'cos they did it with five records," says Jacobsen.

With Madrugada pushing for their Exile On Main Street, they see few others who have even reached Second Street. "The first record of The White Stripes was amazing. I think Xtrmntr by Primal Scream was as well," he adds.

Our time is up and the band have a photo shoot. The photographer wants them outside, much to the disdain of Hoyem who wants it onstage. For Madrugada this is where it matters most and where the band truly speak for themselves.

Later at the show in deep shadow, they open with a stunning psychedelic number which had me and my cohort both mumbling The Doors to each other. Incredibly tight, perfect acoustics, and effortless stage presence. Beneath the spotlight Hoyem cavorted and captivated. It was breathtaking stuff, and for once the hype was justified. If Mr Osterberg had been here he would have been very impressed.

"It's not a new type of music, but it's our way of doing it," says Jacobsen. "Some people need things to be really clear. There's a difference."

Boy, ain't it true.

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