'I refuse to have my life diminished by other people': Garbage singer Shirley Manson, 49, defies ageist trolls who say she is too old for rock ahead of band's sixth album release

By Nic White For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 21:48 EST, 8 June 2016 | Updated: 21:53 EST, 8 June 2016

Mick Jagger is 72, Bruce Springsteen is 66, Angus Young is 61, and even Madonna is 57.

But at 49, Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson says she has been hounded by online trolls who say that she is too old to perform her fiery brand of electro rock. 

‘I try not to think too much about what people think about my age but it’s not easy when they say “she’s so old, she should give up” or “oh God, she looks disgusting”,’ she recently told the Daily Telegraph.

Ageism: At just 49, Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson is hounded by online trolls who say she is too old to take the stage with her fiery brand of electro rock that has endured for 20 years

Ageism: At just 49, Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson is hounded by online trolls who say she is too old to take the stage with her fiery brand of electro rock that has endured for 20 years

‘It’s hard to block out the noise sometimes but I refuse to have my life diminished by other people; I will live large.’

The irony is that she is not the oldest band member.

However, her male band mates – drummer Butch Vig is 60, bassist Duke Erikson is 65, and guitarist Steve Marker is 57 - are not subject to the same criticism.

Sporting pink hair and black outfits at recent concerts, the outspoken singer has looked every bit the grungy frontwoman who built the band's image in the ‘90s.

Back then: The band will on Friday release its sixth album, Strange Little Birds, 20 years after its 1995 self-titled debut that was a worldwide smash hit (pictured), selling four million copies worldwide

Back then: The band will on Friday release its sixth album, Strange Little Birds, 20 years after its 1995 self-titled debut that was a worldwide smash hit (pictured), selling four million copies worldwide

Alternative: Sporting pink hair and black outfits at recent concerts, the outspoken singer looked every bit the proudly weird and rebellious frontwoman who built Garbage¿s image in the ¿90s 

Alternative: Sporting pink hair and black outfits at recent concerts, the outspoken singer looked every bit the proudly weird and rebellious frontwoman who built Garbage’s image in the ‘90s 

On Friday, Garbage will release its sixth album, Strange Little Birds, 20 years after its 1995 self-titled debut, which sold four million copies worldwide. 

Now back in vogue with the predominance of electronic-driven music, Garbage is channeling the same aggressive, uncompromising spirit that made it a household name 20 years ago.

‘We are not young and we weren’t when we started but I see a true defiant and rebellious spirit in my band and a refusal to back down or sit down or keep quiet,’ Shirley said.

Popular: Sales have eased off since then and the band no longer has the support of a major label, but its albums always chart well, particularly in Australia. Pictured in 2001

Popular: Sales have eased off since then and the band no longer has the support of a major label, but its albums always chart well, particularly in Australia. Pictured in 2001

Back: Now back in vogue with the predominance of electronic-driven music, Garbage is channelling the same aggressive, uncompromising spirit that made it a household name in the mid-late ¿90s. Pictured in 2001

Back: Now back in vogue with the predominance of electronic-driven music, Garbage is channelling the same aggressive, uncompromising spirit that made it a household name in the mid-late ‘90s. Pictured in 2001

She said Garbage was in negotiations with its promoter Frontier Touring about an Australian tour to support the new album.

But while Shirley rejects any suggestion that she is too old to perform, she knows she is not as young as she used to be – but that’s ok.

‘A particularly worrisome trend is this obsession with appearing young,’ she said. 

Definance: ¿We are not young and we weren¿t when we started but I see a true defiant and rebellious spirit in my band and a refusal to back down or sit down or keep quiet,¿ Shirley said. Pictured in 2015

Definance: ‘We are not young and we weren’t when we started but I see a true defiant and rebellious spirit in my band and a refusal to back down or sit down or keep quiet,’ Shirley said. Pictured in 2015

 ‘I’m realistic enough to understand that it’s impossible to fake youth. Youth belongs to the young. That’s their power. That’s for them and them alone.

‘I think whenever adults try to steal youthful power, it always ends up feeling a little strange.’  

Return tour: Garbage was in negotiations with its promoter Frontier Touring about an Australian tour to support the new album. Pictured performing in Switzerland last year

Return tour: Garbage was in negotiations with its promoter Frontier Touring about an Australian tour to support the new album. Pictured performing in Switzerland last year

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