Arctic Monkeys

Intelligent indie-rock from Sheffield

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Artist Member/s:

Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Matt Helders, Nick O'Malley

Forming in Sheffield in 2002, Arctic Monkeys’ ascent to bona-fide megastars hasn’t been without its share of setbacks.

Okay, one setback – in 2006 founding bassist Andy Nicholson left the group, then riding high after the release of their debut album. Nick O’Malley stepped into the breach, and has been a member alongside Alex Turner (vocals, guitar), Jamie Cook (guitar) and Matt Helders (drums, vocals) since.

Arctic Monkeys’ high profile status was established around the release of their record-breaking debut ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’. Upon its release in January 2006 the album sold over 360,000 copies in its first week; it subsequently won that year’s Nationwide Mercury Prize and remains the fastest-selling British debut LP in history. Lead single ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’ charted at number one in October 2005.

Album two, ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’, was equally successful, topping the charts in April 2007. It won Best British Album at the 2008 BRIT Awards.

The band’s third album is expected in 2009. Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) has acted as producer. Song titles include ‘Go-Kart’, ‘Dangerous Animals’, ‘Pretty Visitors’ and ‘Crying Lightning’.

Always lyrically engrossing, Turner’s words evoke images of working class life with an acute appreciation of social realism. In this respect they are comparable to The Streets, but instrumentally they’re closer to indie acts - The Strokes, Oasis - and appeal to a similar audience.

Album discography
‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’ (Domino, 2006)
‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ (Domino, 2007)

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