On the reason behind the release of 'Minidiscs (Hacked)' through Bandcamp, guitarist Jonny Greenwood explains that the hacker 'reportedly demanded $150,000 on threat of releasing it.'
- Jun 12, 2019
AceShowbiz - Radiohead have made hours of previously unreleased music available online after their old files were allegedly stolen and held for ransom by a hacker.
The British rockers, fronted by singer Thom Yorke, recently fell victim to a cyber criminal who reportedly obtained songs created during recording sessions for their classic 1997 album "OK Computer", and threatened to leak the tracks if the musicians failed to hand over $150,000 (£118,000).
Instead of bowing to pressure from the hacker, the stars decided to drop all of the tunes on online music site Bandcamp, under the title Minidiscs (Hacked), and allow fans to purchase the whole package for themselves for $23 (£18), with profits benefiting the socio-political movement Extinction Rebellion.
A statement issued by guitarist Jonny Greenwood reads: "We got hacked last week - someone stole Thom's minidisc archive from around the time of OK Computer, and reportedly demanded $150,000 on threat of releasing it (sic)."
"So instead of complaining - much - or ignoring it, we're releasing all 18 hours on bandcamp in aid of Extinction Rebellion. Just for the next 18 days. So for £18 you can find out if we should have paid that ransom."
Greenwood goes on to note the songs were "never intended for public consumption," although some pieces may sound familiar to fans who purchased the subsequent "OK Computer" reissue.
