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No more Mr Nice Guy

Alice Cooper hits out at Glastonbury for bringing politics to the Pyramid Stage following Jeremy Corbyn’s speech

The rocker, 69, is preparing for the release of new album Paranormal

ROCK God Alice Cooper has criticised Glastonbury Festival's decision to bring politics to its iconic Pyramid Stage.

On Saturday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed tens of thousands of festival-goers from the main stage, before announcing US rap duo Run The Jewels.

 Rock God Alice Cooper has criticised Glastonbury Festival's decision to bring politics to its iconic Pyramid Stage.
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Rock God Alice Cooper has criticised Glastonbury Festival's decision to bring politics to its iconic Pyramid Stage.Credit: Rex Features

School's Out singer Alice, 69, spoke of his despair at the increasingly political nature of rock music, claiming it was his job to 'take people away from that.'

Speaking to The Sun Online at a listening party for his new album Paranormal, Alice said: "Don't you go there (Glastonbury) to escape from that? I don't want to be inundated with politics when I go to a rock show. It's enough. Everytime you turn the TV on you've got it. So my job is to get people away from it."

The shock rocker also had new bands in his sights, claiming they're too introverted and lack true rock 'n' roll spirit.

Instead he praised bands such as Slipknot and Rammstein for carefully crafting theatrical live shows for their audiences.

He said: "I applaud them. We're all friends Rob Zombie, myself and Marilyn (Manson), Slipknot, Rammstein and all these bands. We're kind of like a fraternity.

"I promote that, because they've actually rehearsed a show. They've put a show together and they care about the audience. Muse is a band that do a good show and I give them all the credit in the world.

 On Saturday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed tens of thousands of Gl;astonbury festival-goers from the main stage
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On Saturday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed tens of thousands of Gl;astonbury festival-goers from the main stageCredit: Getty Images

"I just think, you know, this introverted folk rock. I have a hard time calling rock 'n' roll. I think the next generation might be very different to this generation. Hopefully they're p***ed off enough to be outlaws again."

It was a lively launch of the latest record in Alice's impressive catalogue, with the icon taking a tumble as he entered the secret Masonic hall inside Liverpool Street's Andaz Hotel, which was built in 1912 for a staggering £4million.

 School's Out singer Alice, 69, spoke of his despair at the increasingly political nature of rock music
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School's Out singer Alice, 69, spoke of his despair at the increasingly political nature of rock musicCredit: Getty Images

However, he laughed it off as the "Illuminati out to get him" and took his place on a grand throne, sharing anecdotes from his past.

The 13 songs on the new record each share a paranormal theme, hence its name, but Alice said he didn't set out to make a concept album.

 Alice is preparing to release new album Paranormal
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Alice is preparing to release new album ParanormalCredit: Rex Features

Recalling one particularly spooky episode from his past, he told the audience how he and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry had to flee a haunted house while working on a film soundtrack.

He explained: "Underneath us is the basement and it sounds like someone is moving furniture down there. We're trying to pretend it's like nothing's happening. It's not like the movies where they go 'let's get a flashlight and go down and see what it is.'

"After dinner I said 'let's get out of here. I called up Shep (Gordon, manager) and was like 'your house' and he said, 'I know, they wrote the Amityville Horror there.' He said, 'my mom was having a dinner party there with 15 people and the table moved a foot to the right.' And I was like 'and you were gonna tell me when?'

"That was a total paranormal experience and I still don't know what it was.

"It was scary at the end. At the beginning it was just amusing, it was playing games. At the end it got serious. We were not gonna stay there that night."

Paranormal is due for release on July 28 via earMUSIC.

 Corbyns speech went down well with the large crowd
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Corbyns speech went down well with the large crowdCredit: Getty Images


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