Alabama Shakes Declined Invitation To Enter X-Factor

Blues-rock band were approached by the show's researchers   18-Nov-12

Blues-rock band, Alabama Shakes, who recently reached the number three position on the UK album charts with their album Boys and Girls, were approached by TV show the X Factor USA to appear as contestants.

Alabama Shakes singer, Brittany Howard, was asked during an interview with the Independent newspaper if she'd ever considered going on a show such as the X Factor, to which she replied:

"It's not fair. You go out there, people gawk at you, they love you or hate you and it doesn't mean anything to them but it means the world to you. So it's kind of a f****d-up show. I would never do it. I've been asked actually.

"They heard of us through the internet and started sending me emails which kept going into my spam folder. One day she called me to ask and I told her, 'No, I'm not going to do that.' She was like, 'Are you sure about that?' and I said, 'Yeah, I'm sure. I have something going on now that I believe in and want to stick to.' She was shocked."

The UK version of the X Factor has this year pulled out of the race for the Christmas Number One spot, coming in for increasing competition in recent years from various campaigns to stop its contestants from getting to number one, the most high profile being Rage Against The Machine in 2009.

The last episode of this year's series will air on December 9, which will see the winner's single being released far earlier than the Christmas chart weekend.

Amped Editor
@sonicamped