When it comes to modeling a fruitful, long-lasting rock success story of one's own, there's a bevy of careers from which to choose -- Paul McCartney and U2, among them. Interpol, however, opt not for rock royalty but for royalty of another kind. Stellar, one might say.

"William Shatner," bassist Carlos Dengler told Spinner at the band's Sessions taping in L.A. "I'm not joking. He has been in the spotlight the entire time. First, 'Star Trek.' Then 'T.J. Hooker' and Priceline. And there's [his album 'Has Been'] -- which is fantastic -- where he covered 'Common People' by Pulp. I don't know if he's a good musician, but he has spirit and doesn't take himself too seriously. That's something I respect quite a bit."

As if the ironic mustache didn't give him away.