Kaiser Chiefs paid for their audience

The Kaiser Chiefs used to pay people to watch them.

The I Predict A Riot hitmakers haven't always enjoyed the popularity they have now and had to take drastic measures to improve their fanbase.

Frontman Ricky Wilson said: "There was a time when we had to bribe people to watch us. In the early days of the band there were nights when we'd walk out on stage and the few people in attendance were standing around the club in a wide horseshoe shape, all clinging to walls.

"Nobody wanted to be the first to stand near the stage. So I used to shout out that the first person who stepped forward got a fiver. Or, if I had a pocketful of loose change, I'd scatter it on the floor in front of me."

Wilson says the ploy was so successful he would consider doing it again if they started to lose fans.

He told Britain's Live magazine: "If our popularity was suddenly to wane, I'd definitely try it again. It worked the first time around do it's sure to work again. Whatever it takes to draw in a crowd."

Earlier this month, the band denied claims they had been dropped by their record label.