The New Jersey-based band My Chemical Romance won best album and best video at the Kerrang! Awards last night. They are playing the Reading and Leeds Festivals today.

How did it feel to be nominated for four awards?

It's a huge honour. It's the calibre of people we were up against that makes it special. Green Day and Foo Fighters are among them. It's crazy to consider us peers with Billie of Green Day and Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters.

You have two top 20 UK hits and your Brixton shows in November are sold out. What makes you so popular in Britain?

I think we always have been. Britain was the first country that accepted us. It's because our influences all lie in British roots. The Smiths, Iron Maiden, The Cure, Pulp, Oasis, Blur. The only American bands we are influenced by have been punk bands, all other aspects come from British music.

Morrissey or Robert Smith?

Morrissey. His attitude, swagger, lyrics and vocal style. I prefer him because he's ironic. I think that Robert Smith is beautiful, but I am interested more in irony.

Is it music you grew up with?

Anything that influences us is what we grew up with. We're not influenced by anything current.

Which current bands do you admire?

Green Day, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, The Mars Volta and the Dresden Dolls.

What films influence your music videos?

On 'Helena' [winner of best video] musicals. Our other influences are from lots of places, including Terry Gilliam films. The Fisher King is my favourite.

Are you taking a helicopter to the Reading and Leeds Festivals?

Yes. It was our agent's idea to play both on the same day.

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