Alice Vs Mumford & Sons

Alice Cooper fired back at Mumford & Sons on Wednesday after the folk group suggested that Alice might be ‘past it’.

In an interview with Fuse Television Network, Alice was asked about the state of popular/rock music, to which he responded by saying the music scene is going through a folk phase. He added that there’s nothing wrong with that, but just don’t call it rock and roll. Cooper said: ”Mumford & Sons are great at what they do but it’s not rock’n’roll, don’t call it rock’n’roll. That’s an offence to rock’n’roll.”

When word reached the Mumfords, their retort was sharp, if a bit bemused. “I don’t think we have an ambition to be rock and roll; we’re just playing music,” lead singer Marcus Mumford says. “But I didn’t know that rock and roll had rules. That’s ironic to me. When you start setting rules for rock, you’ve passed it, haven’t you?”

On Wednesday, Alice Cooper appeared as a guest with Darren Redick on Planet Rock radio, where he was offered Mumford and Sons’ response to his initial remarks. When it was suggested that Cooper’s appearance at the folk-infused festival, Cropredy, could be viewed another exchange back at the Mumfords, Alice laughed and said: ‘Yes! Alice Cooper is playing the folk festival just to show he’s not past it!’