In the 5+ years they’ve been around, the internationally-acclaimed Swedish garage rock/Brit pop band Mando Diao have enjoyed a healthy dose of buzz, praise and anticipation. However, the last decade pales in comparison to the 2007 roller coaster that’s creeping up the big hill one click at a time (hope you brought your barf bags, boys).

The group’s October 2006 single “Long Before Rock ‘n’ Roll” (stream) was re-released this March and the group’s latest full-length, Ode to Ochrasy, meets a U.S. re-release on April 24, 2007.

Add a spot on the 2007 Coachella Festival and a broad U.S. tour (the group’s third), and suddenly this little buzz-worthy group from Sweden is ready for the ride of its life.

Perfect Porridge had the opportunity to chat with the band about Coachella, the music scene back home and the continuing fallout from a devastating floor collapse at a January show in Umeå, Sweden.

Where are you right now?
France, Sweden, we’re all in different places. We’re having our first vacation in 5 years.

You’re playing Coachella April 29. What are you looking forward to?
It will be our first Coachella festival. We’re looking forward to the crowd, and the convincing them to preach our gospel.

Back at home in Sweden, what’s the music scene like in Borlänge?
We have actually lived in Stockholm for a long time now. But we get updates. It used to be punk and Heavy Metal, now it’s turning pop. There are some good bands there, like Montezumas. They have a great music festival called Peace & Love. This year Iggy & The Stooges is on the bill. Will be great to see that.

What’s playing U.S. gigs like compared to Sweden?
US crowds are louder, just like us. We love them. Swedish crowds whisper.

We know it totally wasn’t your fault, but any fallout remaining from the Umeå show?
They have stopped falling out of the venue, if that’s what you mean. 15 minutes after our set begun, the floor collapsed and the crowd fell 7 feet down to the next floor. It could have been a terrible disaster, but the fans got away with broken arms and legs. Our fans are strong and wonderful.

Do you have a date set yet for a make-up show?
Still looking into that, but one way or another we will find the right time and place.

A few years back you played a show here in Minneapolis at the Triple Rock in front of only a handful of people, but you guys rocked out like it was a packed club. People are still talking about your performance. What’s your mindset when you play a rare empty club?
Oh, great. Well, this is the thing…we play every show as it’s our last. It’s like we remind ourselves not to take anything for granted. That everything could go, anytime. It makes you free and keeps you fighting for your life.

What are you listening to these days?
All the fans in the US crying out to get us across the pond.

Well, they’re coming. Check MySpace for your local dates. They’ll be at Minneapolis’ 400 Bar on May 8 with Levi and The Films.