Chris Martin: Less Shit, More Nickelback

Coldplay leader Chris Martin may find lots of people who disagree, but he told Absolute Radio (formerly Virgin Radio) DJ Christian O'Connell that his band are "less shit than they used to be."

Martin feels that Coldplay concerts are better now than ever, and said they've "turned from a Mars Bar into a king-sized Mars Bar." Judging by this chocolate analogy, and Martin's track record of naming his kids Apple and Moses, don't be surprised if the next baby out of Gwyneth Paltrow's womb is called Mars Bar — or maybe Nickelback.

Martin also let it slip in the interview that he's a fan of the bombastic Canadian rockers.

"I have nothing but respect for Nickelback. They take a lot of flak from people who have never done fuck all in their life. And I think they're great. That is my final word."

Speaking of somewhat unlikely fans, Houston Rockets bad boy forward and wannabe rap star Ron Artest apparently doesn't think that Coldplay are shitty. The basketball player samples the group's "Lost" on his new mixtape, and you can hear some of the track here.

Coldplay, who won BT Digital Music Awards for best rock/indie artist and best official music website at a ceremony in London, England on Wednesday evening, play Ottawa's Scotiabank Place with opener Santogold on Oct. 20.