Muse biography
Muse are of the world's biggest rock bands, selling millions of records worldwide and notching up 26 major music awards since 2000. The trio from Devon are also famous for their vigorous and extravagant live performances and became the first group to sell out the new Wembley Stadium in 2007.
How it all began
Muse consists of frontman and lead vocalist Matt Bellamy, who also plays the guitar and piano. Dominic Howard is on drums and percussion and Chris Wolstenholme plays bass and sings backing vocals. They've been together since just before the start of the new millennium and after playing several gigs in London, they caught the eye of American label Maverick Records following a gig in New York and soon released debut album Showbiz. It was a successful debut, reaching number 29 in the UK charts, but critics panned it at the time for its apparent all-too-obvious Radiohead influence. However, the record opened doors for the band, who managed to land U.S tour slots for the mighty Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters, which lead to the lads playing big festivals in Europe and Australia.
Early album releases
In 2001, Muse released their second album Origin of Symmetry which peaked at number three in the UK, receiving high praise for trying out a variety of different instruments. A year later, the band threatened Celine Dion with legal action when she wanted to call her Las Vegas show 'Muse.' The band owned the worldwide performing rights to the name and rejected her pleas, forcing the singer to think of something else.
In 2003, Muse finally scored a number one album in the UK with the launch of Absolution which also gave them their debut top ten hit with 'Time Is Running Out.' The same year, they embarked on their first international stadium tour, playing to fans in Australia, New Zealand, America, and France. They also performed at Glastonbury the following June, but their jubilation at playing such a high profile gig, which they said at the time was one of their biggest achievements so far, was soon met with great sadness for the band. The father of drummer Dominic Howard died from a heart attack shortly after watching his son perform to tens of thousands of fans. But after some time off to grieve and plenty of support from family, friends and the band themselves, the show went on and the trio continued with their massive tour.
Awards and Touring
After winning several major music awards, including a BRIT Award for Best Live Act in 2005, they went on to release fourth album Black Holes and Revelations. It gave Muse their second UK number one, with the record also reaching the top spot in Australia and most of Europe. They also had a US top ten with the record after it peaked at number nine. It was nominated for a prestigious Mercury Music Prize too, but the gong went to Arctic Monkeys instead. Since their start, the trio have notched up a whopping 35 awards, including two BRITs for Best Live Act, nine NME Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album for The Resistence, in 2011.
After more touring, which included supporting U2 for their 360° Tour extravaganza, Muse released HAARP, a DVD and live album featuring their massive Wembley gigs, before headlining at the V Festival in August 2008. The release of their fifth studio album The Resistance hit the shops in late 2009 and became the first record to be totally produced by the band themselves, earning them another UK number one and topping the charts in almost 20 other countries. Their success in America also continued, with the record receiving high praise and reaching number three in the charts.
2010-2011
In June 2010, Muse headlined Glastonbury along with the legendary Stevie Wonder where they were joined on stage by U2's The Edge for a rendition of the band's song 'Where The Streets Have No Name' after Bono had to pull out of appearing at the gig because of back surgery. Muse performed at a number of other large music festivals in the UK, and also headlined Australia's Big Day Out where they were interviewed backstage by Absolute Radio. During their chat with us, they revealed they were working on material for the latest Twilight film and eventually penned the song Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever) for the teen blockbuster, which was released in July 2010.
During the same year, eleven of their hit singles made Absolute Radio's Song of the Decade chart, including 'Uprising', 'Starlight' and ' 'Hysteria.' They also held two massive gigs at Wembley Stadium and continued to pick up yet more awards.
At the start of 2011, Muse won their first ever Grammy for Best Rock Album for The Resistance. They also performed 'Uprising' at the event and soon after, it was announced they would headline the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2011, where they are expected to play in full, their Origin Of Symmetry album to celebrate its 10th anniversary. They also joined U2 on tour again, this time supporting them in Argentina and Brazil at the end of March and beginning of April. In early 2011, it was announced frontman Matt Bellamy was to become a father for the first time with Hollywood actress Kate Hudson.
Muse are currently working on their sixth studio album.