Townshend struggles with 'arty-farty' songwriting

Pete Townshend is struggling to write new songs for his legendary band The Who, because his recent material is too high-brow for the raucous rockers.

Townshend, famed for his demonic guitar-smashing antics, admits his mindset has changed since his anguished youth and he is desperately fighting his artier side in a bid to create Who-friendly rock.

He says: "I have only one problem, and that is writing for what The Who fans - and that includes me - call The Who.

"People say 'just write' and that's what I do, but then I often end up with what sounds more like Brecht and Weil or Serge Gainsbourg than the old Who.

"I know what people want but I can't seem to control my creative side.

“If it comes out a bit arty-farty, then that's all I can do."