Credit: Dan Monick

Seattle's Pretty Girls Make Graves are a unique prospect: a post-hardcore band with a sense of humour. Fronted by Andrea Zollo and her magnificent lungs, the five-piece belt out complex, intricate songs with shifting tempos, smart beats and megalithic melodies.

Their third album, 'Élan Vital', was released this week on Matador, and it's right good. The band have finally achieved their lofty aspirations to deliver an album that is both instantly accessible and deeply gratifying. The replacement of departed guitarist Nate with fresh recruit Leona Marrs on keys has proven a success, with rugged synth melodies giving the band a fuller sound.

Daniel Robson caught up with Leona, Jamie Clark (guitar'n'stuff) and Nick Dewitt (drums'n'stuff) just before they wowed a zealous crowd at London's 100 Club. As we sit down to chat, Jamie informs Nick ever-so-politely that he could possibly use some deodorant.

Nick: "Do I stink? I don't have any deodorant."

So you guys have been together for five years. How did you celebrate such a milestone?

N: "We didn't. We don't know the actual inception date. Some time in March 2001 maybe? Is it March now?"

It's April.

J: "Is it really? Son of a bitch."

You missed it!

Jamie: "I've missed a lot. I've missed two years of my life; I don't know where they went. I spent 'em sleeping in a van."
N: "Leona's still fresh."
Leona: "Yeah, I haven't done five years."
J: "But she's rocking dog years over there, in the two years since she joined."
N: "Dog ears?"
J: "Yeah, she's got dog ears now from being in the band. They just grew."
L: "Uh-huh, that's why I have long hair. I hide them."

Is it difficult joining an established band?

L: "Uh, no. Well, I mean, yeah, I guess. I don't know! There were some things that were weird but not anymore."

Did the dynamic change for the rest of the band when you switched members?

N: "Yeah, we're a lot more polite to each other. We wanna make her feel welcome."
J: "Maybe it's worn off a little bit."
N [sniffing]: "God damn it, now all I can do is smell myself."
J: "I can't smell you."
N: "Well I can. I'll pinch my sleeves up so nothing can escape."