Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 2002. The group consists of Alex Turner (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jamie Cook (guitar), Nick O'Malley (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Matt Helders (drums, backing vocals). Former member Andy Nicholson (bass guitar, backing vocals) left the band in 2006, shortly after their debut album was released. They are considered one of the first bands to gain public attention via the Internet, which represented a shift in how new bands are promoted and marketed.
Formation and Early Success
The band was formed in 2002 by friends Alex Turner, Matt Helders, and Andy Nicholson. Turner and Helders were neighbors and met Nicholson in secondary school. Jamie Cook joined soon after as a second guitarist. They played their first gig in June 2003 at The Grapes in Sheffield. The band's early popularity grew through fan-made demo tapes that were shared online, a collection which became known as 'Beneath the Boardwalk'. This internet buzz led to them signing with the independent label Domino Records in 2005.
Their first single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor," was released in October 2005 and went straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart. Their debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not," followed in January 2006 and became the fastest-selling debut album in British chart history at the time. The album received widespread critical acclaim, winning the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2006 and Best British Album at the 2007 BRIT Awards.
Musical Evolution
Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
The band's second album, "Favourite Worst Nightmare," was released in 2007. It showcased a more mature and complex sound while retaining the energy of their debut. The album also topped the UK charts and won Best British Album at the 2008 BRIT Awards. Key tracks like "Fluorescent Adolescent" and "505" demonstrated a growing depth in Alex Turner's songwriting.
Humbug (2009) and Suck It and See (2011)
For their third album, "Humbug" (2009), the band worked with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, resulting in a darker, more psychedelic rock-influenced sound. This marked a significant departure from their earlier work. "Suck It and See" (2011) saw a shift towards a more melodic and retro rock style, balancing the darker tones of "Humbug" with brighter, more romantic themes.
AM (2013)
In 2013, Arctic Monkeys released their fifth studio album, "AM," which brought them worldwide mainstream success. The album, which incorporated elements of R&B, funk, and hip-hop, became their most commercially successful record. It topped the charts in multiple countries and included the global hit "Do I Wanna Know?". "AM" won the band their third BRIT Award for Best British Album.
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018) and The Car (2022)
The band's sixth album, "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" (2018), was another bold evolution, moving towards a piano-based lounge pop and psychedelic sound. This concept album, set in a hotel on the moon, divided some fans but was praised by critics for its ambition and creativity. Their most recent album, "The Car" (2022), continues this trajectory with a cinematic and orchestral sound, further showcasing the band's willingness to experiment. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.
Legacy and Awards
Arctic Monkeys have won numerous awards throughout their career, including seven BRIT Awards, a Mercury Prize, an Ivor Novello Award, and 20 NME Awards. They are the only band to win both Best British Group and British Album of the Year at the BRITs three times. With each of their first five albums debuting at number one in the UK, they were the first independent-label band to achieve this feat. The band has also headlined major festivals like Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds multiple times and performed at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.