Blur 'destroyed' by drugs

Damon Albarn says Blur were "destroyed" by heroin.

The singer admits that relations within the band - who split in 2003 before reforming for a series of concerts last year - broke down because of their heavy drug use after they struggled to cope with the fame they received following the success of their critically-acclaimed 1994 album 'Parklife'.

Speaking about their 1997 hit 'Beetlebum', he said: "That whole period of a lot of people's lives was fairly muddied by heroin. It's in that place. A lot of stuff was at that time.

"I was going through hell at that time. I was having panic attacks."

Guitarist Graham Coxon added: "I was getting more and more unbalanced with it. I was c**p to be around."

Even when Blur ended, Damon failed to stop using drugs, admitting to spending a lot of time smoking marijuana.

He said: "I went on a fantastic voyage of discovery. I spent a lot of time in Africa just getting to know people... and getting very, very stoned."

Guitarist Graham also spoke about his struggles with drinking, which led to Damon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree firing him from the group during recording of their album 'Think Tank' in May 2002.

In new documentary 'No Distance Left To Run' - which reflects on the 'Song 2' hitmakers' career and reunion - he confesses: "I was quite unable to function. I was annoyed by so many young teeny-bop fans. And I got bored with all the pretentious hangers-on. I'd prefer to speak to painters and decorators in the pub."