On the couch with Kasabian

Coming to the end of a sold-out arena tour, following six months of award nominations, stadium shows with Oasis, a Glastonbury support slot for Bruce Springsteen and numerous TV and radio appearances, you get the feeling Kasabian might be sitting back thinking "We told you so''.

After all, a band never short on confidence has just watched tens of thousands of people chanting the words to crowd-pleaser LSF back at them for the gazillionth time.

From the moment they released their eponymous debut in 2004, Leicester's finest have told anyone who would listen that they were The Ones To Watch.

Five years later, it seems they're getting the recognition they always knew would be theirs.

In the Chinese calendar, it's the Year of the Ox; in the rock calendar, 2009 could well be the year of Kasabian.

It's all thanks to third album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, which charted at number one and earned the band not just love from fans, but critical acclaim too.

After making the shortlist for the national Mercury Music Award, the record then picked up the Q Best Album trophy and was named as the influential magazine's Album of the Year.

So do Kasabian, who were invited to take over the NME offices for a week, now consider themselves to be the best band in Britain, as the NME not-so-subtly suggested on its cover.

"We weren't actually quoted saying that, saying Oasis have gone and now we're the biggest," says singer Tom Meighan.

"We said one day we want to be a big band in Britain. But we'll take that. I mean, apart from your super rock bands like U2 or Coldplay, you've only really got Muse and Arctic Monkeys and us. So we'll take it."

This isn't the cocky, outspoken rock star persona people have come to expect from the powerhouse frontman; more of a quietly confident singer who knows he no longer needs to keep shouting out how good his band is.

"You know, I do think we are to some respect," he says, after pausing to consider the point again. "I suppose we just think we're like the last rock band left. We didn't actually say those words, but it's still a great cover and the quote was cool. It's all good for the band.

"We did a lot of interviews and played some acoustic songs. It was really good."

The NME quote also referenced their good mates the Gallagher brothers, who, at the time when their Leicester protégés were most certainly on the ascent, finally called it a day after one too many bust-ups.

Tom isn't taking sides in the Liam versus Noel debate.

"Oasis breaking up was very, very sad," he says.

"We were gutted because they were our rock star heroes, when I was 16, 17 years old, they were my heroes.

"But they'll both carry on doing what they do. It's none of my business really, what they're doing. I love them equally."

If rumours are to be believed, the band are more inclined to err in favour of big brother Noel. It seems they are forever answering questions about collaborations – and even him becoming the fifth member of Kasabian.

"Well, it's just ridiculous," rubbishes Tom. "It's just columns being filled up. It's weird because we never, ever said Noel was going to join us.

"It's funny, but now we've got to answer to everyone and it gets a bit boring."

There's a rare pause before he seems to retrace his steps.

"Well, you never know, because nothing's out of the question."

Another pause.

"But really, no, Noel Gallagher isn't joining Kasabian."

Other notable events of the past few months include Radio 1's Live Lounge session recorded at Serge's house in Leicester, a "beautiful, old-school building with big high ceilings," according to DJ Jo Whiley.

The band played Underdog and Cutt Off as well as a cover of Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape.

"Well it was great you know,'' says Tom, "especially when you think you're playing live in front of about four or five million people and everyone's listening.

"It's hard because they want you to pick a pop song to cover, but we broke it down and made it our own. We had great fun playing it and that's what it is, a bit of fun. It was messy but it was great; there were wires everywhere.

"It felt weird at first, being in his house, but we got into it and it was cool."

So we've talked West Ryder, we've talked awards, we've talked Oasis, but no interview with Kasabian would be complete without mentioning their beloved Leicester City.

Especially when the Foxes are doing quite well for themselves (currently third in the Championship) and are now celebrating each goal with the band's rollicking single Fire.

"It's unbelievable. I'm so proud," says Tom. "For them to be playing our track is amazing. They're doing absolutely amazing as well, which is wonderful.

"I'm proud of City, really proud, and hopefully we'll get promotion again.

"I've been three times this season and my dad goes every game. I try to do what I can to support them."

Another talking point in Leicester at the moment is the band's former stomping ground, the Charlotte, whose new owners are looking to turn it into flats.

"It's really sad because it's a wonderful music venue, but it must have shut down for a reason," says Tom.

"That's the way it goes at the moment. Britain is in turmoil with money and debt. It's squeezing everything but that's the way it is.

"Turning it into flats is sad, but that's what's happening everywhere."

So what's next for Kasabian? We try to press for details on plans for a fourth album, but it sounds like the band are too busy riding high on the crest of West Ryder to think about that just yet.

"We're just going to carry on recording records and playing live," says Tom.

"We've got a few ideas (for the fourth album) but we've only just put West Ryder out. We'll see what happens.

"We'll definitely make another album and we'll try to make something totally different to what we've done before."