December 19, 2009 11:36

Rage Against The Machine vow to stage free UK gig if they clinch Christmas Number One

Band are now 11,000 sales behind X Factor's Joe McElderry

Photo Gallery: Rage Against The Machine
Photo: PA Photos

Rage Against The Machine have announced plans to play a free concert in the UK if their single 'Killing In The Name' beats Joe McElderry's 'The Climb' in the race to be Christmas Number One.

The band will head over to UK shores for a special one-off “thank you” gig in 2010 if they win and are planning to invite X Factor judge Simon Cowell to MC at the show.

Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello said: "Attention Freedom Fighters! RAGE VS. X-FACTOR WILL BE DECIDED BY SATURDAY'S SALES. Spread the word! Knock on doors! Host downloading parties! Knock over ladies buying X-Factor! The clock is ticking. And if 'Killing In The Name' is number one WE ARE COMING. And it will be the victory party to end all victory parties."

In terms of sales McElderry is currently 11,000 ahead on the US rockers, with 'The Climb', according to 7digital.com's Twitter Page.

The BBC was forced to apologise recently when Rage Against The Machine played an expletive-ridden version of the song live on BBC Radio 5live.

McElderry, meanwhile, recently revealed that he has never heard the song (or indeed anything by Rage Against The Machine) before.

Simon Cowell has slammed the Facebook campaign to get Rage to the top spot, calling it "stupid", "cynical" and "very Scrooge".

For more on The X Factor and its effect on British music, get the new issue of NME, on UK newsstands nationwide, for an exclusive interview with Cowell.