Kings of Leon's drug fury

Sep 7, 2008, 8:00 GMT

US band \'Kings of Leon\' singer and guitarist Caleb Followill (L) performs on stage at Boadilla del Monte\'s Summercase Festival in Madrid, Spain, 18 July 2008. EPA/KIKO HUESCA

Kings of Leon have blasted rock stars whose drug habits become more important than their music.

The US rockers have indirectly criticised British rock stars Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty - claiming their career is less important to them than their party lifestyles.

Nathan Followill, the group's drummer, said: "Any time a band becomes known for something other than their music it becomes as novelty. A lot of bands think they have to be out there being stupid and it's a form of insecurity because their music isn't good enough to hold people's attention. So they have to smoke crack, play with mice and put it on YouTube."

Nathan's quote refers to an incident in May when Winehouse and Doherty - who have both battled drug addictions - posted footage of themselves playing with a group of baby mice on the video-sharing website.

Kings of Leon - who were themselves once renowned for their debauched lifestyle - have renounced drugs and overdoing their partying ahead of the release of their fourth album 'Only by the Night'.

Nathan added: "I mean, sure it was fun for us to make out with supermodels and get s**tfaced but we've figured out the formula. The harder you work, the more successful you get. The more you party, the worse you feel and the less you want to work hard. We still enjoy drinking, but we realise that the harder we work while we're young, the more we can party when middle age hits and the band is over."