Cut Copy.

WHAT DO SAMPLERS and drum machines have to do with Fleetwood Mac? Everything, when they're in the hands of Cut Copy. While other bands are still biting the '80s, these Aussies take the two surrounding decades to inform their unique brand of electro-indie rock. They toured last fall with Franz Ferdinand, played their own late night after-parties, and eagerly shared stories of celebrity run-ins, surf bullies, and embarrassing first records.

What are your main influences?

Dan: A lot of synthesizer stuff from the '80s, I suppose. But also straight down the line '70s pop like Fleetwood Mac and ELO. And then from a live perspective, and in terms of the indie guitar sound, probably more Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, and Pavement. From the '90s: dance music like Daft Punk and KLF. Pretty much everything from the last 30 years.

Do you actually know Daft Punk?

Dan: Well, I met the guys in Paris when we did the mixing part of the record with Philippe Zdar and Cassius, another French house act. They're all part of the same crew there. So hanging out there for a while and meeting all those dudes was sort of a dream.

Do you have any other memorable experiences from Europe?

Tim: We played this one festival in Kristiansand, Norway, and were waiting for the lift in the hotel when the doors opened and out walks Snoop Dogg, ten feet tall. I went to say hello, and this massive bodyguard turned around, looking like he was going to kill me. But I'd like to think that Snoop gave us a nod and kind of yelled out.

Mitchell: He certainly left his room smelling interesting for us.

You actually stayed in Snoop's room?

Mitchell: We couldn't get into our room for half an hour because we had to wait for him and his entourage to clean up their mess.

Tim: We roomed right next to Babyshambles in London. Since we're so isolated in Australia, we don't see mega-stars very often.

Who?

Tim: Kate Moss' ex-boyfriend's band. On the way back to our room, Kate ran out and the same thing happened--the bodyguards just tossed us out of the way.

What new bands are you into?

Mitchell: We went to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah the other night.

Tim: The TV On The Radio guys played this new band, The Celebration, to me the other night and it was just incredible.

Are you getting a chance to hang out with the other bands on this tour?

Tim: We are a lot. The Franz guys have been really amazing. Every night they take us out. It's weird; they'll tag team--two of them will come out one night, and the other two the next.

How would you describe your music to your girlfriend's parents?

Mitchell: Love songs for girls. Tim: Love songs for girls to dance to.

What was your first record as a kid?

Tim: INXS, Kick.

Mitchell: Limahl's The Never Ending Story.

You mean the soundtrack?

Dan: It was actually his solo record, I think.

Mitchell: The first record I actually paid for was Bros.

B-R-O-S-S?

Tim: B-r-o-s. These two blond twins.

Mitchell: It was super gay. I'll just say Limahl.

Dan: Probably Michael Jackson for me.

Was anyone ever into skateboarding?

Tim: Skateboarding was a big part of my teen years. Guy Mariano and all those Girl people ... I was a big fan.

What was your best trick?

Tim: Backside nollie heelflip. After that it all went downhill.

Who's your favorite Australian skater?

Tim: Anthony Mapstone.

Andrew Mapstone?

Tim: Yeah, that's right. He's great.

Mitchell: I remember growing up and actually getting beaten up for skating. I lived in this surfer town, and they hated us.

Tim: Yeah, it took them a while to catch on.

Mitchell: Two years later they were into it.

If you had an unlimited budget, what would you do with it, musically or otherwise?

Mitchell: Have a studio in New York and a Learjet to get back and forth whenever.

Tim: We wouldn't have to worry about music anymore. We could paint landscapes in the middle of Antarctica or something.