Radiohead releases old recordings after they were reportedly hacked and held for ransom

Radiohead has just dropped hours worth of previously unreleased audio recordings, though they hope fans realize these tapes are actually kind of boring.

The band on Tuesday announced it was releasing 18 hours of audio from recording of their 1997 album OK Computer, most of which hadn't been released before and which they say someone hacked from an archive last week and reportedly demanded $150,000 for. Variety reports that after the band wouldn't pay the ransom, the recordings were leaked online.

"So instead of complaining - much - or ignoring it, we're releasing all 18 hours on Bandcamp in aid of Extinction Rebellion," Jonny Greenwood said, sharing a link to the environmental group.

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The New York Times notes that Greenwood in his statement writes that whoever stole the recordings "reportedly" wanted $150,000, so it's unclear whether the band just read rumors about the ransom attempt online like everyone else or directly received the demand.

Either way, the records can be downloaded for 18 days for £18 and can also be streamed for no cost. But Radiohead doesn't want to get fans' hopes up, writing that the tapes were "never intended for public consumption" and noting on Bandcamp that they're "not v interesting."

If this apparent failed attempt to extort money based on "not v interesting" tapes from two decades ago reminds you of a Coen Brothers movie, the band agrees, making this announcement in an email with a subject line referencing The Big Lebowski: "Walter Sobchak vs. Bunny's toe."