Coldplay: 'We were split over playing X-Factor but The Smiths saved us' (Q306 article preview)

Coldplay have given a rare insight into the democracy at work within their band - revealing that they were deeply split over the offer to play The X-Factor, according to the Q Magazine, who will publish a new Coldplay article in their Q306 edition that is out tomorrow (29th November). Speaking for an exclusive cover story interview in their new issue that hits UK newsstands on Tuesday, Chris Martin explained how the band come to their decisions. [Full discussion on this new show is at the Coldplay forum now (thanks Mimixxx)]

"Sometimes the things that you're offered split the band and that always means you end up not doing them," said the singer. "I think half of us would love to play The X-Factor and half of us say that's a bad idea... Me Phil [Harvey, band's manager and unofficial member], Jonny [buckland] would probably do anything."

However with it now strongly rumoured that the group will play this year's final, it seems the band's patent way to get over disputes came in handy, with drummer Will Champion explaining: "If one of us is down about something generally it can be resolved by grabbing some guitars and playing a Smiths song."

Get the full interview, plus details of where Coldplay's album Mylo Xyloto fared in their Top 50 Albums of the year countdown, in Q306 which hits UK newsstands tomorrow.

Meanwhile, The Sun have also wrote about this story. They published the following:

When it's time for Coldplay to quit, Chris Martin will have plenty of time to sample wife Gwyneth Paltrow's veggie recipes. The frontman believes he would struggle to get any gigs as a solo star — and that even holiday parks would turn their noses up at him. Chris said: "I'd just be terrible. I don't think I could even get a gig in Butlins — and I've been to Butlins. I think me and my keyboard would be outside Woolworths most days, getting shouted at."

There goes his chance of ever becoming a Redcoat. Considering Stacey Solomon, Danyl Johnson and Stavros Flatley are on the Butlins bill next year, Chris must think he's average without his bandmates. He has known Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion since their uni days and the lads have gone on to become the world's biggest band. Chris and Jonny played a top set for Jo Whiley's brilliant Mencap Little Noise Sessions in London last week.

Speaking to Q Magazine, out tomorrow, Chris said: "They're very good friends to me because they know that, as the singer, and especially because I'm married to Gwyneth Paltrow, I get eight times as much media as them. They know how much I need them, I just couldn't do it on my own."

But the bond with his bandmates isn't the only friendship Chris holds close to his heart. The man he respects most in the music industry, Jay-Z, is also a trusted pal. He said: "When Jay first said, 'I like your band' I was, like, 'What the fuck are you talking about? No, you don't!' Then I realised he doesn't bring any baggage. 'I like your songs.' It was as simple as that."

But Chris does admit finding his friendship with Jay-Z "hilarious", given their contrasting backgrounds. He said: "What's the common denominator? Well, underneath he probably feels a bit like me and I feel a bit like him." Chris's missus has another idea. Gwyneth said: "They balance each other out. Chris and I are like Jay and Beyonce: two paranoid ironists and two calm, grounded people." She should know. The four of them have been away on enough holidays together.

Q Magazine (Q306 edition) front & subscribers' covers featuring Coldplay: