Brit Band: Not Participating in 'Hypocritical' Live Earth

July 6th, 2007 11:55 AM

Amazing! Not all rock stars are slaves to their own celebrity. The British band Arctic Monkeys will not be taking part in Live Earth tomorrow because, in their words, they don't want to be "patronizing" or "hypocritical."

It's a bit patronising for us 21 year olds to try to start to change the world," said Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, explaining why the group is not on the bill at any of Al Gore's charity concerts.

"Especially when we're using enough power for 10 houses just for (stage) lighting. It'd be a bit hypocritical," he told AFP in an interview before a concert in Paris.

Bass player Nick O'Malley chimes in: "And we're always jetting off on aeroplanes!"

And I love this question:

"There's more important people who can have an opinion. Why does it make us have an opinion because we're in a band?"

But wait, there's more:

And the singer from 80s pop sensations The Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant, attacked the arrogance of pop stars who put themselves forward as role-models.

"I've always been against the idea of rock stars lecturing people as if they know something the rest of us don't," he was reported as saying by British music magazine NME.

Now, will someone please tell Jennifer Aniston? She seems to think it's important that the world know she saves water by "brush-washing," that is, brushing her teeth while taking a shower. Ever hear of too much information, Jen?