RATM 'want Cowell to host victory gig'

Rage Against The Machine have invited Simon Cowell to host a free UK gig they plan to stage to celebrate beating Joe McElderry to the Christmas number one spot.

The band's 'Killing In The Name' pipped the X Factor winner's 'The Climb' by over 50,000 copies following an online campaign led by RATM fans Jon and Tracy Morter.

Speaking to NME, guitarist Tom Morello confirmed that the group are now drafting plans for a celebratory gig.

"We've invited [Cowell] to be the presenter of our free show so we have to see how he responds," explained Morello. "I will say I heard Simon Cowell graciously called Jon to congratulate him. Rage Against The Machine is waiting for our congratulatory call because we're number one."

Morello added that Rage Against The Machine are yet to confirm a date or venue for the free show, but insisted that they will honour their promise to fans.

"We're thrilled about doing it. It's going to be the victory celebration to end all victory celebrations. If 'Killing In The Name' is the song that liberated the UK charts, we are planning to go there and make it as big and as free as can be.

"The band is going to have a victory celebration here [in Los Angeles] at a local UK-style fish 'n' chips pub on Tuesday night and we'll probably be clinking glasses and drinking a toast to our great fans and comrades in the UK, but we may start getting some ideas together of when this is going to happen."