Keane - Keane Distance Themselves From Coldplay

British rockers KEANE have rubbished comparisons to chart pals COLDPLAY - insisting they sound more like TRAVIS.

Keane pianist TIM RICE-OXLEY studied at university in London with Coldplay singer CHRIS MARTIN and the two groups started out together. Nevertheless, Rice-Oxley insists they see Coldplay as contemporaries rather than influences.

He explains, "I don't think we sound Coldplay. We are friends with them but I wouldn't say they're hugely influential.

"I'm not hugely comfortable with either comparison but I'd be more at ease with Travis.

"We see Coldplay as contemporaries as we started off at the same time, but it happened more quickly for them. It took us eight years, but we're glad to be here. Better late than never."