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Hailing from Teignmouth, Devon, England; this rock trio have shaken the indie tree, with their highly passionate and electrifying music and performances. With just four albums released so far, most of them Platinum sellers in the UK, Muse are undoubtedly one of the finest bands to grace the British shores in the last ten years. Often termed "Baroque Rock", Muse have cleverly interwoven hard rock with delicate classical styled arpeggio and scales to produce, sometimes, technically overwhelming music. Yet at the flick of a switch, they can tune it down to soft and lyrical ballad. Who ever said romance and rock do not mix?

Biography

1996 - Calling themselves the "Rocket Baby Dolls", the band were heavily influenced by the US 90's rock scene, especially the "Grunge" music scene from Seattle, WA. (see "Soundgarden", "Nirvana", "Alice in Chains"). The trio took part in a local "Battle of the Bands" competition. The idea, to draw attention to themselves with a chance of a recording contract. Needless to say, they won the competition, with a performance based on energy as much as musical content.

1997 - Now called "Muse", and spreading their wings playing gigs in London and Manchester, the band eventually team up with Dennis Smith. The proprietor of a recording studio called "Sawmills", converted from an old Cornish water mill, (near Devon). Here the band recorded their first EP entitled "Muse", and released on Smith's own "Dangerous" label. Without real promotion, the EP was not known outside the band's circle, but was a major stepping stone none the less.

1998 - Recording their second EP, "Muscle Museum", the band were noticed by Steve Lamacq, a journalist with NME, (New Musical Express). Reviews opened up doors for the band, with some airplay on BBC radio 1, it was only a matter of time before the Muse were picked up by a major signing. In the meantime, Dennis Smith co-founded the "Taste Media" record label with the band, (continued on their releases to this day).

Despite airlplay and the subsequent success of their second EP, the major record contract was still elusive, with no UK label willing to pick up the band. Perhaps the "Baroque" style rock of Muse was just a little too different to take a chance with? who knows? In the end it was a US label, Maverick records, that picked up and signed the band in late '98. With a number of gigs planned back in the US, even Maverick took somewhat of a gamble, not really knowing where to place the band.

With the return from the US. Muse used the "Taste Media" label to contract deals across Europe and Australia. They teamed up with producer John Leckie, ("Radiohead"), and recorded their first album "Showbiz". The album included the singles "Uno", "Cave", and "Muscle Museum", (re-recorded from their former EP), with all lyrics and music credited to Bellamy. The album was a success, reaching #29 in the UK album chart. The album was praised by critics and the press, but perhaps unfairly, likened to Radiohead. John Leckie, having produced Radiohead's, earlier album, "The Bends".

1999 - Maverick arranged for the band to support major acts back in the US. Supporting both the "Foo Fighters", and "Red Hot Chilli Peppers" on tour in front of stadium crowds of 20,000. They toured and promoted "Showbiz" across major festivals in Europe, as well as Australia and Japan. They became a favoured act with the French, who, maybe unlike us repressed Brits, embraced the band for their courage and musical convictions.

2000 - After extensive touring, the band settled back to Surrey and Wiltshire, UK, to record their second album, again with John Leckie. This would be a more courageous album than the last, featuring pitch shifting guitars, screaming vocal lines, contrasted with soft sweeping piano. It should be noted here that Bellamy is just as adept with the Piano as the guitar, and the album sways and interchanges seamlessly between both. Bellamy often attributes influences with the synthesised guitar style of Tom Morello, ("Rage against the Machine").

2001 - "Origin of Symmetry", the band's second album is released on Taste Media/East West label. With single releases "New Born", "Bliss", and "Hyper Music". The album also features the excellent "Space Dementia" and "Citizen Erased". Despite the album reaching #3 in the UK, Maverick records, surprisingly, did care for the album. And with fears that the music was too radical for the US public, they requested the band re-record more radio-friendly versions of single releases. The band unreservedly declined, and here they parted company with Maverick.

2002 - sees the release of double album, "Hullabaloo". With CD one featuring a selection of rare B-sides recorded between 1999 and 2001. CD two is a live concert recorded at "le Zenith" in Paris, France 28/29 October 2001. The live recording contains all the favourites from the first two albums.

2003 - The band record and release their third album, "Absolution", this time with producer Rich Costey. A more political album lyrically, with tracks "Apocalypse Please", and "Time is running out". Single releases include, "Sing for Absolution", and "Hysteria". Music is credited to the whole band, Lyrics to Bellamy. The album is a UK #1, and finally establishes Muse as a "tour de force" in their own right.

2004 - The band tour extensively across the US, Canada, Australia and France. Tragedy struck the band after Glastonbury, UK, However. Dominic Howard's father, (Bill Howard), suffered a fatal heart attack the night following the concert, after watching his son's band perform, "The best gig of our lives", (quote - Matt Bellamy). This nearly split the trio, but taking time out for consolation and contemplation, Dominic decides to continue with the band. The band finish the year with dates in both US and Earl's Court, London.

2005 - Muse begin working on their new album, stated by Bellamy to be a less cynical and more upbeat project for the band. Affected by the tragedy with Dominic's father, the band have already written several songs on tour in late 2004, to be included on the new album. Finally, the band were awarded "Best Live act", at the 2005 Brit awards.

December. Muse release a new live dvd, recorded at the Glastonbury festival, UK 2004. With tracks from their "Absolution" tour, the dvd also includes unseen footage from Earls Court, and Wembley Arena, London; and also from the Wiltern theatre in Los Angeles. Track listing includes; "Hysteria", "New Born", "Sing for absolution", "Muscle museum", "Apocalypse please", "Ruled by secrecy", "Sunburn", "Butterflies & Hurricanes", "Bliss", "Time is running out", "Plug in Baby", and "Blackout".

2006 - June. The band appear at the Werchter festival in Belgium, with dates in Holland and more festival appearances in Neuhausen and Hamburg, Germany. June 19th, Muse release the first single from their new forthcoming album, A-side "Supermassive Black Holes", with B-side, "Crying shame". The single is also released as limited edition vinyl, and dvd. June 28th, Muse are recorded at the Shepherds Bush empire for MTV, and also broadcast live on XFM radio. Finally, the end of June highlights a special AOL session live, featuring live tracks and special interviews. July. They appear, this time in Norway, at the ‘Quart’ festival, and in France for the ‘Eurockeenes’ festival. July 3rd. Muse release their eagerly awaited new album titled, "Black Holes and Revelations". By the end of July the album has risen to the #9 spot on the Billboard US albums chart.

August. Another busy month for Muse as they headline the ‘Frequency’ festival in Austria and tour Japan at both Osaka and Tokyo festivals. They also appear in Switzerland at the ‘Gampel’ festival. The band also appear in Edinburgh, Scotland for ‘T on the fridge’ at the Meadowbank stadium.
Muse pick up the "Kerrang! Best Live act" award yet again.
August 26th they headline for the ‘Carling’ festival at Reading. Then it’s straight off to headline at the Leads festival for the following evening August 27th. With a breathtaking show of expertise and showmanship, Muse take both gigs by the horns, and perform new and old tracks with ease. The performance includes new songs; "Nights in Cydonia", "Supermassive black holes", "Invincible", and "Starlight". The performance also included old favourites, "Plug in baby", "Bliss", and "New born". With an exceptional rendition of "Feeling Good".

September. Muse begin their US tour starting in Toronto, Canada [9th], through Ohio, Texas, Arizona, California, and finishing at the Paramount theater Seattle, WA October 4th. Then its back to Spain, Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona for October 27th - 28th. Toulouse and Bordeaux, France 30th and 31st. Before heading back for Ireland and the UK.

November. They will appear at London Wembley Arena November 21st-23rd. With German dates in Berlin 25th, and Hamburg 26th. December. Muse will be playing in Rome, Bologna, and Milan, Italy, [1st, 2nd, and 4th respectively]. And also appear in Paris 14th and 15th. For more detailed dates and info, checkout the Muse official website.

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