But the generation gap didn’t matter to Duran Duran – they chose the ‘80s influenced quintet to open for them on seven U.S. dates of their current world tour.

When Pollstar caught up with Clear Static’s manager February 11 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., the band was doing a sound check for their first show with ‘80s megastars, and excitement for that night’s concert was brewing.

“To see their faces when they walked on that stage blew my mind,” manager Jon Goldwater said enthusiastically. “If they’re nervous, they’re not showing it. They seem more excited than nervous.”

Surprisingly enough, Clear Static landed the slots without even having an album out. The band does, however, have a deal with London’s Lizard King Records – home to The Killers.

“Our single is coming out on Lizard King in the U.K. in April,” Goldwater said, adding that the debut full-length, Space In Time, should be released in June or July. “Everyone’s looking at Lizard King saying, ‘What are they going to release next?’ And it’s going to be Clear Static.”

The band, whose members range from 18 to 20 years old, met while in junior high. After playing a few gigs around their home base of Oak Park, Calif., Clear Static received a letter saying they had been accepted by Teen People as contestants in a “5 Live Band” contest. They won the contest and wound up playing a gig at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom for the magazine’s event “What’s Next?”

Shortly thereafter, a copy of the band’s demo found its way to producers Tommy Henriksen and his partner Jeff Pilson. Six months later, the band was recording songs like “Make-up Sex,” “Tuesday on My Mind,” and “97 Lies.”

The band has a definite ‘80s sound and cites influences including The Cure, Depeche Mode, Flock of Seagulls, Prince – and, of course, Duran Duran.

“They’re all young guys, their passion is deeply rooted in the ‘80s stuff, but truthfully they try to make it their own,” Goldwater said. “People are really, really getting turned on to the band. All of a sudden we landed the tour and my phone started ringing off the hook.”

Clear Static will be performing with Duran Duran on seven dates in Florida and Texas. From there, they will play a February 25 gig at the Key Club in Hollywood, Calif., along with a scheduled South By Southwest date in mid March.

Meanwhile, Duran Duran has dates penned on the books through May. Their last scheduled North American date will be at New York’s Madison Square Garden April 13.