In just a few years, Radiohead has gained explosive popularity in the United States and an increasing number of fans in the band's native England.

But the five members were determined to finish college before they released their 1993 album "Pablo Honey", featuring the hit single "Creep."

"We could have tried to do this when we were 18 or 19, but finishing school was important to us," said Ed O'Brien, Radiohead's guitarist. "It was a gooddecision because at university you learn how to think for yourself."

Radiohead met 10 years ago, when English bands such as the Smiths and Echoand the Bunnymen where at their peak. But Radiohead's music was heavily influenced by American bands from the East Coast, such as the Pixies and Throwing Muses. The band is named after a Talking Heads track featured in the movie "True Stories," starring Talking Heads front man David Byrne.

"We also thought it might be a good way to get played on the radio," O'Brien joked.

Gen-Xers asleep, too cynical to speak, Thom Yorke croons on "Iron Lung", from Radiohead's latest album, "The Bends."

This attitude of sharp-tongued impassivity characterizes the band's work, andhas led the media to classify Radiohead as a mouthpiece for Generation X.

"I don't feel that way at all; I hope we don't speak for anyone," O'Brien said warily. "I do think we were brought up under the Reagan-Thatcher administrations, when the attitude was Go out and get what you want.' I think that environment has produced a very disaffected youth."

O'Brien, who studied politics at Oxford, said a sense of apathy among peoplein their 20s is just as prevalent in England as it is in the United States.

"Even I, who love and believe in politics, feel a great sense of futility," he said. "In the United States, for example, it seems as though the governmentwould continue to run without the two parties. The system doesn't give people a real choice."

Pop-based tunes an absurd, hopeless reality, set to lilting pop melodies, make up Radiohead's unique and contradictory sound.

Whether Yorke is describing artificial life forms in "Fake Plastic Trees" oryearning to join the human race in "The Bends," his voice remains strangely emotionless, even when it softens or hits high notes.

"The best way to describe our music is thick pop," O'Brien said. "There's definitely a pop sensibility to it, but also a heavy guitar effect."

The combination of sweet instrumentals and a jaded perspective has had wide appeal. The band has gotten frequent air time on radio and MTV, and next month Radiohead will tour Europe and the East Coast, opening up for R.E.M.

"We met them last year in Athens, Ga.," O'Brien said. "It's very cool because when you open up for R.E.M. you know you're a band they like."

But the members of Radiohead have made a conscious decision not to let rapid fame distort their identity. Their song "High and Dry," inspired by the wild exploits of Evel Knievel, parodies the quest for success at any cost: You'dkill yourself for recognition... You broke another mirror, you're turning into something you're not.

Rather than partying nonstop, O'Brien said, Radiohead's members use their spare time on tour to read. Some of his favorite authors include Joan Didion and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

"We don't think we're special now or anything," O'Brien insisted. "We're notinto the whole groupie thing. For us the most important thing is to put on a good show."

After a moment he added, "Of course we still go out and have a nice time. You'll often find us at the bar afterward."