BAND in uniform British Sea Power have reeled in the title of Live Band of the Year at the Time Out Music Awards 2004.

A year of touring with The Strokes, Interpol, The Flaming Lips and dressing themselves in military uniform and the stage as and nature reserve have paid off for the boys from Kendal.

"It's good to win an award for our live shows," said a pensive BSP guitarist Noble. "The way you serve someone their morning paper from the news kiosk can change the way they feel for an hour, maybe two. The way you serve someone their rock music from the concert stage can change the way they feel forever and ever."

Fresh from hanging out with the biggest tantrum-thrower in tennis, John McEnroe, during their stint with The Strokes, the band take their tour trail to Prague on April 8 where they will play alongside Czech group The Ecstasy of St Theresa.

The Czech show will tie in with a limited edition British Sea Power single featuring a new version of A Lovely Day Tomorrow and vocals from The Ecstasy of St Theresa singer Katerina Winterova.

The single will only be released in shops in the Czech Republic but before British Sea Power fans get their knickers in a knot, the coveted tracks will also be available during the band's April tour of England and Scotland and also from their website.

The Ecstasy of St Theresa will also support the band at their show in Shepherd's Bush Empire on April 29 with details of a gig at an "intimate" venue hosted by the two bands yet to be announced.