FLAMING LIPS - THE FLAMING LIPS BASH BUSH

Experimental rockers THE FLAMING LIPS have hailed US president GEORGE W BUSH as the inspiration for their forthcoming album AT WAR WITH THE MYSTICS - because they detest him so much.

The Oklahoma trio are so furious with the way their country is being run, they have no qualms about releasing their most political record to date.

Frontman WAYNE COYNE reveals, "I guess we've found it hard not to get a little frustrated with America.

"There's this fundamentalist, right wing Christian president and you can only stand there so long and be tolerant. Sometimes you just want to say, 'Jeez, you people are retarded.' I don't want people to think of us as Zen masters sitting up on the mountain not understanding what's going on."

The album - a follow up to 2002's YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOT - is set for release in early April (06).