In terms of rock 'n' roll injuries, British Sea Power drummer Woody's reason for not going on tour must be one of the feeblest.

"It is the most pathetic thing," says Noble, the band's guitarist.

"He bent down with a dustpan and brush to get some dust up, and he has now done his back in.

"He's done it before while getting some milk out of the fridge"

In his place is another member of Brighton's musical aristocracy, Electric Soft Parade's Tom White, who will be filling the drum stool until the tour ends at Brighton's seafront nightclub Digital next week.

"It has taken two years to record this album," says Noble.

"We were looking forward to touring it, so it's a shame Woody won't be there."

The so-called difficult third album can be a turning point for a band. It may be the stage a band or artist suddenly find themselves a new audience and establish a long and successful career for themselves - famous examples include The White Stripes, Peter Gabriel and Crowded House.

But it can also sound a band's death-knell, as the public loses interest in what was once a willing formula, as acts such as The Cranberries, Catatonia and Oasis can all testify.

Fortunately for British Sea Power, it looks like the former scenario is more likely, as their long-awaited third album, Do You Like Rock Music? has further proven that the band can write great songs - albeit with unusual subjects about bird flu and Eastern European migration.

It has also led to ferocious internet debate on the band's forum about what is rock and what isn't, stoked up by BBC Radio DJs Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie.

"The rock and non-rock thing has taken on a life of its own," says Noble. "We think rock isn't limited to just rock bands - it encompasses anything that gives you that same feeling rock music does. Anything that is inspiring and makes you excited."

So far the rock side of the barometer has included tortoises, the Isle Of Mull and the feeling you get when you lick a battery.

Meanwhile standing on Lego in the night is just one example of what has been put forward as "non-rock".

For British Sea Power the Czech Republic is definitely in the rock category. They launched the album with a gig at the Czech Embassy in Notting Hill earlier this month, and mixed the album near Prague.

"It was quite amazing, where we were mixing the record," says Noble. "We were on the edge of a massive forest full of holiday homes. While we were cycling we saw a woman just in her bra and knickers mowing her lawn.

"They had wild boars in the forests and we saw some strange birds including a black woodpecker. There were lots of glowbeetles at night. It was an untouched place."

The location hails back to the time when the band used to deck their stage with foliage from local forests and play accompanied by stuffed animals and birds.

Now the band's live show focuses more on flags, as underlined by the Arcade Fireesque single Waving Flags.

"They are naval signal flags," says Noble. "You get 26 different flags, one for each letter of the alphabet, but they all have different individual meanings too.

"One says: I'm disabled, please communicate with me'. Another is simply I need a tug'!"

This tour follows on from a more idiosyncratic series of live shows, where the band played at a variety of unusual locations including the Liverpool ferry and the White Cliffs Cafe in Saltdean.

"This time we wanted to do a straight-ahead tour, where we were playing venues with decent PA systems and where everyone can see," says Noble.

"Last tour we did one great one at Tam Hill, the highest pub in the UK. They had built a little stage and the bar stayed open until everyone was on the floor.

"It was out in the middle of nowhere, and lots of people were camping out, so at about 4.30am people were walking in freezing cold wanting to sit by the fire."

The band is currently planning another unusual gig in Canvey Island, and is hoping to do a few more unconventional venues in the future.

"You look back over the years and instead of remembering all these venues that look the same you get all these highlights that stick

  • Komedia: Support from These New Puritans and Eamon (Brakes). Starts 8pm, SOLD OUT. Call 01273 647100.
  • Digital: Support from Restlesslist and Eamon (Brakes). Starts 8pm, tickets £12.50. Call Rounder, in Brighton Square, on 01273 325440 or Resident, Kensington Gardens, on 01273 606312.