The five recently played their first UK gig in 18 years

"If we're going to do it, let's do it properly," said the 41-year-old.

The band "wanted to get that right, and did not just want to get together and play old songs", he added.

Duran Duran - who began the latest leg of their 2003 tour in the US on Saturday - say they have been taken aback by the audience response so far.

"We kind of hoped that there would be an audience out there who would want to come and see us - but you never really know," Rhodes said.

Before the current US tour, the band had played a string of warm-up gigs during the summer in New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The reformed Duran Duran are due to release a new album in 2004

The five original members of the band - John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Simon Le Bon, Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor - also played their first UK gig in 18 years at London's Forum last month.

New album

More than 200,000 people flooded phone lines when details of the surprise concert - which sold out in four minutes - were announced.

"The audiences have been electric. Never, ever in our career have we played to audiences like this. I have to say it's been a real shock," said Rhodes.

After their current 17-date US tour, the band will begin a tour with Robbie Williams in Australia.

They are due to return to the studio in December to finish working on their new album which will be released in spring 2004.

Rhodes describes the new Duran Duran material as a mix of edgy rock and dark, electronic synth pop.

The band were one of the biggest pop acts of the 1980s, with hits like Save A Prayer, The Reflex and Wild Boys.

Their last major success around the world was 1993's Wedding Album, which included the hit Ordinary World.