Few people are happier than the members of Franz Ferdinand that mainstream radio has begun to shift its focus from loud and aggressive nü-metal to fare that's more danceable and poppy.

Until recently, cool bands from across the pond could count on some college radio play, having their name dropped by hipsters at parties and perhaps a "next big thing" feature in Spin. But a good buzz doesn't do much to pay the bills, as bands such as the Libertines, Pulp and Stereophonics can attest.

This Scottish quartet, however, is doing what those other bands couldn't: sell records. Since the group's self-titled debut dropped in March, it has moved more than 205,000 copies, according to SoundScan. The single "Take Me Out" is threatening to crack the top 10 on the alternative radio charts (it's currently #11 with a bullet), while the "Buzzworthy" video is enjoying high visibility side-by-side the likes of Hoobastank and Incubus.

While singer Alex Kapranos can't exactly explain the secret to Franz Ferdinand's success, up to this point their strategy for breaking in the States has been pretty simple.

"It's definitely something that we never presumed before," he said, "so we are totally shocked. I hope it's just because there are some good tunes that people like. Music is as simple as that: If you like it, you like it. Sometimes bands from the U.K. get a little bit nervous coming to the States. Quite often they have had quite a bit of success in the U.K. and will be used to being treated like stars, and they will have to play small events. We don't give a damn about stardom and all that celebrity stuff."

Franz Ferdinand's laissez faire attitude is surprising given the attention they've received so far. Fans and critics alike have been quick to jump on the Franz bandwagon, partly because there's no denying a good hip-shake (see "Franz Ferdinand Get the Jaded Hipsters To Shake It"). But asses in low-slung jeans aren't the ones the band cares most about moving — nope, try training pants.

"We're simple people, and we try to play music that's direct," said drummer Paul Thompson. "To me, the best music is immediate. It moves you and you can't pry yourself away. If it's a good tune, it makes you want to dance. When people say things like, 'My 3-year-old niece was dancing to your record the other day,' that's the best because 3-year-old kids have no idea what's cool or not cool."

It's too early to tell if the popularity of Franz Ferdinand — and, to an even greater extent, Modest Mouse (see "Modest Mouse Greet Success With A Rousing 'So What?' ") — is indicative of a more lasting sea change in mainstream rock. But historically, change is ushered in from the fringes, and it wasn't that long ago that Franz Ferdinand were on the outside looking in.

"The best bands come from the outside," Kapranos said, "whether it was Nirvana, who went to the top of the charts, or whether it was the Clash, Kinks, the Who or the Beatles. These were all bands who were doing something exciting and energetic and, at the time, fresh — and from a completely different angle. They weren't manufactured. They were just a bunch of guys that got together and decided to play some instruments and write some tunes. That's always the best way."