Formed:
2002 - Sheffield, England.
Band Members:
- Alex Turner - Guitar, Vocals
- Jamie 'Cookie' Cook - Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Andy Nicholson - Bass, Backing Vocals
- Matthew 'The Cat' Helders - Drums, Backing Vocals
Quote from Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys:
To the BBC on the founding of the group:
"It was 2002, we all got guitars for Christmas and started playing in my garage that summer, rehearsed there and in a warehouse for a bit for about a year."
Internet Buzz:
Some of the Arctic Monkeys' demo tracks were made available for download via the Internet in 2004, and a buzz among fans began building. With positive promotion from both the BBC and New Musical Express (NME), the band drew large crowds for appearances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in early 2005 before the official release of any recordings.
Trivia Fact About the Arctic Monkeys:
The British music press considers the group's debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not to be the most eagerly anticipated first album since Oasis' Definitely Maybe in 1994.
Record Contract and Chart Success:
For some time the band resisted singing a recording contract and even took measures to ban record company scouts from concert appearances. In June, 2005 they signed with Domino Records, an independent label run by Laurence Bell who says he only signs acts that he personally likes. The group's first single "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" was released in October, 2005. It debuted on the pop singles chart at #1 ahead of Robbie Williams' "Tripping."
The Arctic Monkeys Sound:
The band have been described as a northern Libertines. Their sound borrows from classic post punk, but also includes danceable beats. Music critics praise the wit of the band's lyrics along with the musical energy.
Arctic Monkeys Videos:
Watch "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor":
Watch "When the Sun Goes Down":
The Future for the Arctic Monkeys:
A second single, "When the Sun Goes Down" debuted at #1 on the U.K. singles chart January 22, 2006. The band's first album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not was released January 23, 2006. It became the fastest selling debut album ever in the UK. When released in the US approximately a month later, the album opened at #24 on the US album chart, one of the best debuts ever by a band on an independent record label. The Arctic Monkeys set off on a short North American concert tour in March 2006.
