Fearless Vampire Killers singer: We get abused for looking like goths

Kier Kemp (far right) is a vocalist and guitarist with Fearless Vampire Killers Credit: Will Sadler/EMPICS Entertainment

A rock musician who says he faces regular abuse for his "theatrical" look has backed a police move to treat attacks on goths as 'hate crimes'.

Kier Kemp, singer and guitarist in Fearless Vampire Killers, told ITV News that crimes against groups such as punks and emos were comparable to racial or homophobic assaults.

Greater Manchester Police said it would treat attacks on “alternative subcultures” as hate crimes, in response to the killing of goth Sophie Lancaster in Lancashire in 2007. Kemp said the force was "setting an example":

Kemp says his five-piece band are regularly targeted by members of the public for the way they dress, which he describes as “dark and theatrical”.

Kemp, whose band were nominated for Best British Newcomer at the 2012 Kerrang! Awards, says there is also discrimination within rock music: