IDLES have responded to Matty Healy after the frontman reportedly said there’s “no big bands doing anything as interesting as” The 1975.
Healy was speaking in a new interview when he discussed festival headliners and the band’s forthcoming new album ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’.
“There are no big bands who are doing anything as interesting as us right now,” he told Billboard. Pointing to the headline acts on Reading Festival’s line-up, he added: “Tell me dudes with guitars who are more relevant to do that slot.”
IDLES were quick to respond to the comments. Posting the story on their twitter, they wrote: “I’m not posting this in a “listen to us we’re doing something interesting” kind of a way. I don’t think any of us give a flying shit.
“I’m posting this wondering if that dude actually has ears and listens to what they do.
“He probably just said it knowing full well its a ridiculous statement and now I’m talking about it on twitter, so maybe he wins. Asshat. (I’m the asshat btw).” See those tweets below.
https://twitter.com/idlesband/status/1025145588575293440
https://twitter.com/idlesband/status/1025147614260613120
https://twitter.com/idlesband/status/1025149964702416896
https://twitter.com/idlesband/status/1025152001406058498
Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams responded to IDLES’ tweets, writing: “There are so few gateway bands and for all their glistening pomp, they’re an interesting band encouraging an obsession with music that will likely “cross-under”.”
“I agree with being a gateway band to a younger generation,” IDLES responded. “I guess I’m just being romantic and wishing other bands were in their position. I’ll be honest, I’ve only heard their singles/saw them live once in Bilbao and its completely not my thing (obviously).”
I agree with being a gateway band to a younger generation. I guess I'm just being romantic and wishing other bands were in their position. I'll be honest, I've only heard their singles/saw them live once in Bilbao and its completely not my thing (obviously) Clickbait is a fucker
— I D L E S (@idlesband) August 2, 2018
Healy has since responded to the interview on Twitter, claiming that his comment was taken out of context. “I didn’t say that,” he wrote. “There are lots of incredibly interesting bands. Your headline is misleading. I am an ego maniac but I’m not deaf.”
. I didn’t say that. There are lots of incredibly interesting bands ?Your headline is misleading. I am an ego maniac but I’m not deaf
— ?? (@Truman_Black) August 2, 2018
IDLES are gearing up to release their much-anticipated follow-up to 2017’s ‘Brutalism’. ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’ will be released on August 31, via Partisan. The 1975’s ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’ is set for release in October.
- IDLES’ ‘Samaritans’ is on the NME Audio playlist. Click here for information on how to tune in to NME1 and NME2