The Darkness Slam Oasis

Retro rockers The Darkness claim to have discovered the secret to cracking the American charts - don't act like Oasis.

The I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE quartet are enjoying newfound American success after PERMISSION TO LAND was the highest rising album in the charts last week (ends9JAN04).

Lead singer JUSTIN HAWKINS says, "I don't know how hard (Oasis) tried. I'm not really sure how good they are either.

"Oasis must have strutted in, four and a half foot tall or whatever they are, thinking, 'Oh God, this country's ours for the taking!' and then as soon as it doesn't go their way they go, 'Ooh, that's not quite working is it? Shall we go back to the UK where we're really popular and successful? Knock it on the head, can't be bothered with this.'

"To me it's laziness and arrogance."