Former New York street singer Gregg Alexander is the driving force behind the New Radicals, the group that's scored a mall-trashing hit with its new single, "You Get What You Give" [28.8 RealVideo] the first from the debut album, "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too."

In the song, Alexander throws out a dis to such contemporary musical luminaries as Hanson, Beck, Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson, whose butt Alexander offers to kick. MTV News asked the leader of the New Radicals if he feared any reprisals from the artists or their entourages.

"Actually the truth about that particular lyric," Alexander said, half-heartedly, "is that I'm a major major major fan of Hanson, Courtney Love, Marilyn Manson. I wanted to make sure they got as much exposure as possible." [28.8 RealVideo]

In

response to

the line, MTV's Kurt Loder caught up with Marilyn Manson recently, and asked him about the unexpected lyrical attack, which Manson said he found irritating for only one particular reason.

"I'm giving an open invitation to the singer of the New Radicals," Manson said, "because he's all strange and spiritual, and he challenged me in one of his songs. A lot of people would say, 'Y'know, don't give him the attention, cause that's what he wants.' But I think I'll crack his skull open if I see him."

"What does the song say?" Loder asked.

"Well, you guys are playing it," Manson said, "it says something like, 'Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson, come around here and we'll kick your ass in.' I'm not mad that he said he'd kick my ass, I just don't want to be used

in the same sentence with Courtney Love." [28.8 RealVideo]

The New Radicals are playing a few promotional shows prior to the holidays, and are looking to kick-off a U.S. tour in early 1999.