Friday, December 7 2007, 16:25 GMT

Manics: Radiohead are ruining music scene

By Beth Hilton - Digitalspy.com

 

The Manic Street Preachers have accused Radiohead of damaging the music industry by releasing their new album as a digital download.

 

Radiohead released In Rainbows via their website in October, telling listeners they could pay a sum they felt was appropriate.

 

However, Manics bassist Nicky Wire claimed the move has put further pressure on the already fragile music scene, saying: "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."

 

Wire added that he believes TV talent shows have also played a part in the current state of the music business, telling the Daily Star: "I can't bear the X Factor judges and the s**t they put out every year. It's just a load of talentless f**kwits that destroy the industry."

 

Lily Allen also spoke out against Radiohead last month, claiming that their move makes it tough for new groups to compete because the band have the luxury of earning a fortune on tour. However, rapper Jay-Z described the idea as "genius".

 

 

 

Do you agree with the Manics comments on the music industry?

In Rainbows >>>>>>>>>>>>> Send Away The Tigers

 

Enough said. :P And they're going to physically release it anyway, so I wish other musicians would stop moaning about this already!

The music industry is a joke anyway, it was serious back in the 50's/60's/70's and partly through the 80's, where serious music was released with big sales, where artists and music could control the way people live, the way they dress, the way their opinions are against things like government or polititians. etc. etc.

it will be really interesting to see how the radiohead album does on physical sales. can't wait to see its impact on the industry

Ironic that a band that started out as "Generation Terrorists" are now in favour of propping up multinational corporations like Universal and SonyBMG. How times change!