The Fratellis make memory stick chart bid

The Fratellis are releasing their new single in a memory stick format in a bid to make them chart eligible.

The band will make 7,000 sticks available of 'Baby Fratelli' in HMV tomorrow (March 19).

With official UK chart rules recently changing with downloads becoming eligible in the Top 40, the store said there is a growing case for making memory sticks eligible, reports BBC News.

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo said: "Success for this format would create a growing case for the Official UK Charts Company to consider making them chart eligible."

The move comes after Keane pioneered the USB stick when they released 'Nothing In My Way' last October.

Lee Jenson, head of marketing Island Records, said: "The success of the Keane single last year convinced us that music fans would welcome more audio releases on this format.

"If demand really does start to take off, it may well become viable to think about releasing selective albums on USB as well, especially if they were to become eligible for inclusion in the chart."

The Fratellis tickets:

• Dec 2, 2008 at Academy, Bristol - Check availability
• Dec 5, 2008 at Academy, Birmingham - Check availability
• Dec 6, 2008 at Civic Hall, Wolverhampton - Check availability

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