The ugly row between Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke and Sex Pistols’ John Lydon rumbles on with Super Furry Animals singer Gruff Rhys claiming that he witnessed the event, and backs Okereke’s version of events.
The two frontmen were involved in a scuffle at the Spanish Summercase festival, with Kele Okereke claiming to be the victim of an unprovoked – and racist – attack by Lydon and his entourage. A statement issued by the Bloc Party singer argued that Okereke has merely asked Lydon is he had ever considered reforming Public Image Limited – his group after the initial dissolution of Sex Pistols – when he was assaulted. It is also alleged that a member of Lydon’s entourage blamed Okereke for his “black attitude”.
Unsurprisingly, Lydon refutes this version of events and called on Okereke to start behaving “like a real man”. Oh dear, oh dear, John.
Now Super Furry Animals mainman Gruff Rhys has entered into the fray, claiming that Lydon was “lying” about the incident. Rhys was apparently present during the entire fight, as he was playing the festival with his new group Neon Neon. Speaking to MTV News Rhys confirmed that Okereke’s version of events is, sadly, correct.
“The statements Kele has said are absolutely true… It did happen.”
“Kele is a very brave man and what he said is exactly what happened.”
There has been no reply from Lydon’s camp.
