R.E.M, Pearl Jam and Rage Against The Machine are among the acts who have backed US president Barack Obama's bid to close Guantanamo Bay prison.

The coalition of musicians, which also includes Trent Reznor, came together after it emerged that loud music had been used to aid interrogation at the jail.

Detainees have been subjected to a range of songs by the likes of Britney Spears, Marilyn Manson and the Bee Gees.

Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello said: "Guantanamo may be Dick Cheney's idea of America, but it's not mine.

“The fact that music I helped create was used in crimes against humanity sickens me - we need to end torture and close Guantanamo now."

The coalition, which has joined up with the recently launched National Campaign to Close Guantanamo, are calling for the release of records which detail how and where music has been used.

It is also believed that loud music is used as an interrogation tool in CIA prisons.

President Obama called for the closure of Guantanamo on his second day in office but officials have faced numerous diplomatic hurdles.

The detention centre, located in Cuba, came under the spotlight in 2002 when then President George Bush used it to house suspected terrorists.

(by Jason Gregory)