December 7, 2007 15:37

Manic Street Preachers: 'Radiohead demean music'

Band slam the 'In Rainbows' approach

Photo Gallery: Manic Street Preachers

Manic Street Preachers have criticised Radiohead for allowing fans to choose how much to pay to download their latest album, ‘In Rainbows’, saying that it “demeans” music.

Bassist Nicky Wire went on to claim that all free downloads were ruining the music industry.

Wire told the Daily Star: “Fair play to Radiohead for doing something different. It’s certainly great for publicity but I think it kind of demeans music.

“Music used to be a market, now it’s all gone digital. It’s worrying and it seems to be the way of the world at the moment. Sales are doing well everywhere else. Cinema is doing well, video games are doing well but music isn’t. The free download phenomenon is ruining the industry.”

Drummer Sean Moore added that the band were considering working without a record label after their deal with Sony expires, after their next studio album.

“We made more money with live shows this year than in the last seven of releasing records,” he said. “We have one more album with Sony, and are coming to the end of our publishing and merchandising deals. We want to do records ourselves. Labels are scared to move forward, we’re not.”