10:33am UK, Friday April 25, 2003

Anti-war band the Dixie Chicks have hit back at their critics - by posing naked on the front of a leading showbiz magazine.

The Grammy-winning band suffered a massive backlash in America after they said they were "ashamed" President George Bush was from their home state of Texas.

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They were slated on TV chatshows in the US, radio stations and American newspapers.

'Not about nakedness'

Many US radio stations banned their songs and record sales fell sharply.

But the band, who have since apologised for the comments, have come out fighting.

They appear on the front of Entertainment Weekly with the slogans "Traitors" "Saddam's Angels" "Dixie Sluts", "Proud Americans" printed across their bodies.

"We don't want people to think that we are trying to be provocative. It's not about the nakedness," said band member Martie Maguire.

'Disrespectful'

"It's about clothes getting in the way of labels."

Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines says in an interview to be aired on ABC TV she "regretted" the remarks at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London but stands by her anti-war views.

"At that moment, on the eve of war, I had a lot of questions that I felt were unanswered," Maines told ABC.

"I think the way I said it was disrespectful. The wording I used, the way I said it, that was disrespectful. I feel regret for, you know, the choice of words. Am I sorry that I asked questions and that I don't just follow? No."