Music: Chicks, Not From Dixie

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But many U.S. record buyers may still resist the Chicks. Americans over the past 35 years have remained attached to the idea of rock as an earnest, romantic mode of expression, never fully embracing the proudly incompetent Sex Pistols or the proudly impersonal technowizards like the Orb and Aphex Twin, all beloved by Europeans. What could most rankle American rock audiences is the Chicks' rejection of the notions that 1) good rock music is either soulful, finely wrought craftsmanship (Radiohead) or cathartic guitar bombast (Nirvana) and 2) letting producers help compose your songs is only for teenyboppers like Britney Spears. "Bands don't give the producers credit for actually taking part creatively," says Logan. "With technology it's possible to do a lot of different things and do them really fast. You don't have to practice your guitar or practice the drums." Instead, the group maintains its online fashion boutique, creates installation pieces for galleries around the world and makes plans for a building it hopes to erect in Berlin. As Logan puts it, "We want to do everything."

They don't take themselves too seriously though. As a kind of self-mocking joke, they routinely perform a cover of Euro Trash Girl by the American rock band Cracker, a song satirizing expatriate life in Europe. "We're very excited about coming to America," says Murray-Leslie, sincerely. The feeling should be mutual.