NEWS: Rhys Sticks His Oar In Racial Row

In the ongoing ‘racism fued’ between Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke and The Sex Pistols’ John Lydon, Super Furry Animals singer Gruff Rhys (pictured left) has stepped forward and made a statement.

Earlier this week the Bloc Party singer alleged he was the victim of an "unprovoked racial attack" by Lydon and his entourage at a Spanish festival.

As a witness to the incident the Neon Neon collaborator told MTV: “Kele is a very brave man and what he said is exactly what happened. The statements Kele has said are absolutely true. It did happen.”

The Quietus understands that Rhys is yet to make an official statement to police.

Currently touring with his Mercury Award-nominated side project Rhys described the attack as "horrific".

Lydon has denied reports branding Okereke a "liar" and claiming the singer is using the incident to seek "publicity".

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This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: Bloc Party And Sex Pistols In 'Racial Attack'

Reports are emerging today of an incident involving Bloc Party's Kele Okereke and Sex Pistols' frontman John Lydon at a Spanish festival over the weekend.

A fight erupted at the Summercase festival in Barcelona on Saturday July 19th which has now been called an 'unprovoked racist attack' by Okereke.

According to the Bloc Party camp the singer approached Lydon to ask if he would consider reforming one of the his bands, Public Image Ltd.

In a statement Bloc Party claim the punk veteran "became intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade including the statement, 'Your problem is your black attitude'."

A fight occurred soon after in which Lydon's entourage were seen by some 50 people to attack Okereke at which point Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs and Foals' Yannis Philippakis stepped in to help the singer.

Other bands who witnessed the ruckus include Mystery Jets, Neon Neon and Har Mar Superstar.

The violence left Kele with severe bruising and cuts to his face and body and a split lip.

Festival security stepped in to neutralise the situation which was later reported to Spanish police. Okereke gave a statement to British police upon returning to the UK.

Speaking to NME.com the Bloc Party frontman said: "It's not an issue of the physical assault, even though it was an unprovoked attack, it is the fact that race was brought into the matter so readily.

"Someone as respected and as intelligent as Lydon should know better than to bring race into the equation, or socialise with and encourage those who hold such narrow-minded attitudes.

"I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot."

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus