Mention the fact that the Parlotones are releasing a new album and the likely reactions will be disdain or euphoria. Arguably South Africa's most successful band, the multiplatinum-selling act have spent the last decade or so polarising opinion and look set to do that again with their latest release, Antiques and Artefacts.This divisive effect is undoubtedly rooted in the fact that they were the outsiders who made it. When their debut album, Episoda, was released in 2003 they were four strange kids who dressed funny and played non-pyromaniacal rock. They appealed to people who felt different. As the mainstream grew to accept them, some of their original fans grew disillusioned, feeling the band had lost their ''cool" appeal."It's funny because when we started out we were called underground, indie and edgy. Then we became successful and suddenly we were commercial sell-outs even though we're playing the same thing," said the band's bass guitarist-cum-backing vocalist, Glen Hodgson.Drummer Neil Pauw added: "We used to hate that [criticism]. Now you realise that it's one person among thousands. That one person is probably blogging to 10 people anyway so we don't let it faze us."Developing a thick skin is just one of the lessons the band have had to learn in a journey that's taken them from sleeping in vans to playing sold-out shows in Bucharest. Among them is that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the ocean."A lot of new bands that we talk to say they want to make it big in the UK. I just shake my head because I know how difficult it is," said Pauw, recalling a show where the band played for an audience of one."Our audience was the barman and one South African girl. On the plus side, we did get to stay at her place afterwards."Kipping at fans' cribs afterwards is perhaps another reason why the Parlotones maintain loyal admirers. Everybody likes a personable band.Said Hodgson: "In the earlier days, it was a game. We challenged ourselves to find a fan whose house we could stay at after the show and nine out of 10 times we found one."It's good to develop a relationship and friendship with our fans rather than staying in another hotel."Love them or hate them, it is difficult to deny that the band have happened upon a formula to success that goes beyond catchy hooks and radio-friendly beats.Unlike many in their position, they have not drunk deeply from the cup of celebrity. As a result it's not unlikely that you, too, could find yourself scolding them for putting their shoes on your couch.The Parlotones will be performing their new album, 'Antiques and Artefacts', at the Barnyard Theatre in Cresta tomorrow. For more information, visit www.theparlotones.co.za..