Tonight, two weeks before their self-titled debut album reaches U.S. shores, Kasabian will launch a month-long North American tour in New York.

"We're like the Rolling Stones, man, a proper, classic British rock & roll band," says songwriter/guitarist/keyboardist Sergio Pizzorno. "A lot of tight trousers and strutting around. And we've got samplers and stuff onstage, so it's a real wall of sound."

Kasabian -- Pizzorno, vocalist Tom Meighan, guitarist/keyboardist Christopher Karloff and bassist Chris Edwards -- have toured Europe and Japan for the past two years and debuted at Number Three last year on the U.K. album chart, but they're not quite ready to predict a U.S. conquest.

"If we sell albums and tickets to our shows in America, then we'll play, and if we don't, we don't," says Pizzorno. "We're honest and passionate about what we do, and we'll be the same in America as we are in Britain."

Kasabian, who are touring with fellow U.K. rockers the Music, have drawn attention for more than just their techno-spiked rock: they lifted their band name from the Manson Family's getaway driver. The band has not heard a peep from the infamous Linda Kasabian, who was granted immunity in 1970 for testifying against Charles Manson and is reportedly living in Washington State.

Says Pizzorno, "I hope she doesn't turn up to a gig."

Kasabian tour dates:

2/17: New York, Irving Plaza
2/18: Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
2/19: Philadelphia, Theater of Living Arts
2/22: Providence, RI, The Call
2/23: Boston, Paradise Rock Club
2/24: Montreal, La Tulipe
2/26: Toronto, Lee's Palace
2/27: Detroit, St. Andrews Hall
2/28: Covington, KY, Madison Theater
3/02: Chicago, Metro/Smart Bar
3/03: Saint Louis, The Pageant
3/07: Seattle, Neumo's
3/08: Vancouver, Commodore Ballroom
3/09: Portland, Crystal Ballroom
3/11: San Francisco, Slim's
3/12: Los Angeles, Music Box at the Fonda
3/13: San Diego, Canes
3/15: Tempe, AZ, Marquee Theater
3/17: Dallas, Gypsy Tea Room
3/18: Houston, Meridian