Veteran rocker Alice Cooper thinks pop acts are "infinitely more fun" to watch live than "garage bands" because rock has "become too vanilla". 

He picked up the prestigious Kerrang! Icon Award last night in London and explained that rock bands just aren't as raucous, shocking or entertaining as they once were:

"Bands don’t have attitude any more. They’re all beige and have no showmanship. It’s infinitely more fun watching somebody like Lady GaGa. The same with Katy Perry. She’s got a great pop sense. Then you have Shakira, who is this bohemian animal."

He used the example of indie stars Vampire Weekend and said if they added more edge to their image it would do wonders for them as an outfit:

"Rock has become too vanilla. Take Vampire Weekend: here’s a great name for an act. If I was them I’d keep the squeaky clean music but have blood splashed over my shirt."

"Forget The X Factor. I’d like to see a TV show that discovers real songwriting rock genius. I’d call it 'Lunatic Fringe'."

Watch Alice Cooper accept his Kerrang! Icon Award from last night, June 9, here: