Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys are a four-piece indie rock band from High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, England.

Their first two singles, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "When The Sun Goes Down", both went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart, and the band's debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, holds the record for the largest first week sales of a debut album in the UK.

The band won "Best New Act" at the 2006 Brit Awards, and created history at the 2006 NME Awards in becoming the first band to win "Best New Band" and "Best British Band" in the same year.

Arctic Monkeys is:

Alex Turner (Vocalist/Lead Guitar)

Matt Helders (Drums/Backing Vocals)

Jamie Cook (Rythm Guitar/Backing Vocals)

Andy Nicholson 2004-2006 (Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals)

 Nick O'Mally (Bassist/Backing Vox)

History

Arctic Monkeys started in 2003, when Alex (Lead/Vocalist) and Jamie Cook (Rythm/Backing Vox) asked for guitars for christmas. After learning to play Alex and Jamie decided to start there own band. Theres many rumours as to why the name is "Arctic Monkeys". The band make up a lot of stories about it such as Alex's uncle was in a band with the name sake and also (a personal favourite) that Alex had a vision in which god told him to make a band of the name Arctic Monkeys. The truth lies in that in was just a long standing joke within the band that sort of stuck. While the band was still in there early days of formation, Alex joined the Band 1985. Which if you listen to them, you can pull a lot of comparasions to them and the Monkeys. 1985 have a very unique funky, dance, rock sound, with kitchen sink drama lyrics in, which can be seen in Alex's material. Alex played a couple of gigs with them and really wanted his band to sound like them, just more punky. The result being the arctic monkeys. Theyre first gig was at The Grapes in sheffield, just off West Street, a major attraction for students and bands. There first gig was a great success and the band slowly over 2 years grew in popularity. In February (Give or take a month) Gonzo (Zane Lowe) played there music on his radio station. After this they sky rocketed into more and more popularity. They went on to play the now infamous show at Leeds Festival, "This is a moment" as Alex said. They were signed by Domino Records, Q3 2005. And released there debut album to great critical acclaim. There first single "I Bet You Look Good On The DanceFloor" was realesed on the 11th of november 2005 and went to number for 1 week. The Arctic Monkeys have gone from strength to strength and are now writing material for a 2nd album. In August the band realesed Leaving before the lights come on, which charted at #4.

They are set to record theyre new album in a few months time.

allmodcons 

The band's northern roots, often seen as a key element of the band's style,

have seen them billed as a "northern Libertines",

while their unique sound and wry lyrics have been compared to the The Jam, Blur, Pulp and The Streets.

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jwharmsby (Jordan)

Arctic Monkeys released an EP on April 24th called 'Who the Fuck are Arctic Monkeys?'

The EP features 5 tracks:

1. The View From The Afternoon

2. Cigarette Smoker Fiona

3. Despair in the Departure Lounge

4. No Busses

5. Who the Fuck are Arctic Monkeys

Andy Nicholson Departure