The band with US journalist Diane Sawyer

The band say they have received death threats after Maines told a London audience she was ashamed that Mr Bush came from her home state, Texas.

In an interview on US network ABC's Primetime show, which is being aired on Thursday, Maines said she regretted the remark but remained passionately against the war.

The Grammy-winning act's CDs have been destroyed by protesters and their tracks were dropped from some radio stations' playlists following Maines' remarks.

The band make their point on the cover of US magazine Entertainment Weekly

Maines told interviewer Diane Sawyer that the backlash against the group had gone "out of control".

Interviewed alongside fellow band members Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, she said she had criticised Mr Bush out of frustration.

"At that moment, on the eve of war, I had a lot of questions that I felt were unanswered," she said.

"I think the way I said it was disrespectful. The wording I used, the way I said it, that was disrespectful. I feel regret for, you know, the choice of words.

Am I sorry that I asked questions and that I don't just follow? No."

She added: "I'm not truly embarrassed that you know President Bush is from my state, that's not really what I care about.

"I felt like there was a lack of compassion every time I saw Bush talking about this.

I honestly felt a lack of compassion for people that are questioning this war, for the people that are about to die for this on both sides."

At our concerts this year, we have to have metal detectors, and to me that's just crazy Emily Robison, Dixie Chicks

Robison said: "I'm concerned about my safety. I'm concerned about my safety for my family.

"When you're getting death threats... at our concerts this year, we have to have metal detectors, and to me that's just crazy.

"But we have to take precautions because this thing has gotten so out of control."

Maguire said much of the reaction had been disproportionate.

"It's the people who have gone overboard, and done such irrational things that take you back to the days of book burning, that is a concern for me," she said.