Radiohead Talk FAC

Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien has spoken out about his involvement with the Featured Artists' Coalition (FAC).

The FAC was formed last year to fight for musicians rights in the download era. At a meeting last week in London nightclub Heaven the attendees included Robbie Williams, Mick Jones, Kate Nash, Blur's Dave Rowntree and Billy Bragg.

Ed O'Brien is a prominent member of the group and gave an interview afterwards in which he reiterated their aims. The Radiohead guitarist is also a noted blogger, and sent fans a message on how the meeting has gone.

"Two days ago a historic meeting took place in Heaven (!) under Charing Cross railway station in London," he wrote. "I'm going to post up stuff about this because it's an exciting time and also because there is going to be some seriously heavy PR aimed at us by the interested parties who might deem the FAC a threat…there's a lot of fear out there in the biz."

"Traditionally in the music industry two groups have been shut out of any negotiations and rights/revenue carve ups…and that's the artists and the fans. The formation of the FAC is all about changing this state of affairs…hopefully we can not only do artists justice but also the people who listen to our music."

"After all, in order to be a musician you have to be a music fan. And first and foremost this is about trying to ensure that young bands and artists get a fair deal and are able to make a living in the digital era."

Radiohead are currently on tour with Kraftwerk in Central and South America.