[Day 54] Do I Wanna Know: Arctic Monkeys

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Band Members: Alex Turner (Guitar / Vocals) Jamie Cook (Guitar) Nick O'Malley (Bass) Matt Helders (Drums)

Bio: Arctic Monkeys are an English Alternative rock band found in 2002 near Sheffield. After releasing demos and playing shows the band became increasingly popular throughout north England until they released their first single "Fake Tales Of San Francisco" and soon signed to Domino Records. The bands first single with Domino, "I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor" was released later that year and went straight to #1 on the UK singles chart. The band finished recording their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire in September 2005 with Jim Abbiss producing. Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not became the fastest selling debut album in UK chart history, selling 363,735 copies in the first week and was ranked the fifth greatest British album of all time by NME. Just three months after the release of Whatever People Say I Am the band released their first EP Who The Fuck Are The Arctic Monkeys? In 2007 the band released their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare which also debuted at #1 on the British charts. In 2007 Arctic Monkeys headlined Glastonbury just two years after their debut album was released. After a brief hiatus during which Alex Turner toured with his side project The Last Shadow Puppets the band returned to the studio and enlisted Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco to produce their third album, Humbug which was released on August 19, 2009 and also debuted at #1 on the British charts like its predecessors. During this time the band saw their popularity grow outside of the UK including landing prominent spots at foreign music festivals. After an extensive period of touring, Arctic Monkeys continued to prove that they are one of the hardest working bands by teaming up again with James Ford for 2011's Suck It and See, their 4th album in only 6 years. Throughout 2011 AM embarked on a massive world tour including headlining slots at festivals over seas and an opening gig for The Black Keys in the states. Wasting no time, after the commencement of their world tour, the band started work on another album. Working with Josh Homme again, the band released its 5th album, AM, September 9th, 2013 to critical and commercial acclaim, carrying on the tradition of debuting at #1 on the British charts. The band has since embarked on another world tour including a headlining spot at Glastonbury for the second time in 6 years and rising positions at US festivals as well.

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)

Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)

Humbug (2009)

Suck It And See (2011)

AM (2013)

Personal Notes: Arctic Monekys have quickly grown into one of my favorite bands. While I enjoyed them before, their newest album changed everything for me. As for recommended listening I would suggest either starting with their newest album or working your way through their discography starting with their first album. Currently they are my second looked forward to act at Roo this year and I encourage everyone to see their set. This is a band that is on the cusp of super stardom and next time they play roo they will be headliners I can guarantee it. With 5 albums in 8 years with non stop touring as well, Arctic Monkeys have proven that they are some of the hardest workers in the music industry. It will be interesting watching their progress these next several years.

Live Show:While I have not yet had the chance to see them they are one of my most looked forward to acts and I plan on seeing them in CLeveland two weeks after as well. If anybody has seen them I would love to put a write up here.