Stereophonics attack TV popstar

The Stereophonics at the Q music awards

The Stereophonics have launched an attack on "instant pop" saying Hear'Say's Noel should be "ashamed" of what he is doing.

The Welsh rockers - currently at number five in the chart with their new single Mr Writer - criticise Hear'Say and Boyzone as simply "being in it for the money".

Hear'Say went straight to number one

"If this sort of thing goes on, creativity will just fly out of the window," said Kelly Jones, Stereophonics' lead singer.

He singled out Hear'Say for particular criticism.

"The other week they showed Noel crying when he went home to Cardiff. He should do - he should be ashamed of himself."

A spokesman for Polydor - Hear'Say's record company - declined to comment.

Stereophonics' drummer Stuart Cable added: "Noel seems like a nice bloke but I hate what they are doing because it is wrong.

"We said the same thing when we met Keith Duffy from Boyzone.

Then there are bands like us selling millions of records which is financing these other bands

Stuart Cable, drummer Sterephonics

"He seems like a nice guy but I told him to his face that I hate what he does. He said he hated it too but was in it for the cash. That sums it up really.

Cable added: "All these manufactured boy and girl bands are in it for the cash. Look at the Spice Girls - it's all money orientated. I think record deals have to be earned and I don't think half of the bands have done that.

"Then there are bands like us selling millions of records which is financing these other bands."

'Working class'

The Welsh trio had their first chart hit four years ago with More Life In A Tramp's Vest and have since sold 3m albums worldwide.

Jones added: "Just to still be here when so many bands cock things up feels great.

"We have been brought up, like other working class kids, to believe that you don't get anything unless you put the effort in.

"We realise this is a good job to have especially when half of your family are working in a factory."

The single Mr Writer has caused controversy in some quarters as it has been seen as Jones harbouring a desire to kill music journalists.

"If I had known so much was going to be written about Mr Writer I would have written it for our first album," Jones added.

The new album was originally going to be called JEEP until the car manufacturers pointed out that they owned the copyright to the name.

Now it is called Just Enough Education To Perform.