Interpol’s Paul Banks Clarifies Morrissey Comments, Says He Was Misquoted

Matthew Strauss
He now calls the tour “a good show for OUR FANS,” and adds, “I do not always hold the same beliefs as artists I work with”

Interpol frontman Paul Banks recently discussed his band’s decision to tour with Morrissey in an interview with Hot Press’ Ed Powers. “We thought it would be a good show for our band,” Banks is quoted as saying. “That’s how I’m looking at it. I don’t get too much into the other stuff.”

This morning (July 1), on Twitter, Banks claimed that he was misquoted: “The actual quote that I gave regarding the upcoming Morrissey tour was ‘we thought it would be a good show for OUR FANS.’ Not ‘for our band,’” he posted.

Banks continued, “I do not always hold the same beliefs as artists I work with, and I do not consider that to be a requisite.” In addition, he wrote, “I abhor racism, homophobia, and any form of prejudice based on a person’s nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identification, or sociecomonic status.” Find Paul Banks’ statement below.

Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Paul Banks and Hot Press.

Morrissey has recently worn a pin featuring the logo of the For Britain Movement—a far-right UK political party founded by anti-Islam activist Anne Marie Waters—on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and at recent concerts. He’s also been vocally supportive of For Britain.

Originally Appeared on Pitchfork