Muse

Muse (formed 1992)

Muse is an English rock band renowned for their spectacular live arena shows.

Muse: The Formation

The members of Muse formed the band when they were studying at Teignmouth Community College. Aged 14, Matthew Bellamy auditioned for the role of guitarist in Dominic Howard's band. They then asked Chris Wostenholme to hang up his drumsticks and learn to play bass for the band.

Originally the band was named Rocket Baby Dolls. In 1994, they won a local battle of the bands. According to Bellamy, it was this surprise win that made the band take themselves seriously. They chose to pursue the band, rather than university placements and moved away from Teignmouth; changing the band's name to Muse in the process.

Their first demo was recorded at Sawmills Studio in Cornwall. The studio's in-house label, Dangerous, released Muse's eponymous debut EP. A second EP, Muscle Museum reached number three in the indie singles chart. Both the BBC Radio One DJ Steve Lamacq and the music paper NME latched on to the band and helped their ascent to fame.

Muse: Debut album onwards

Showbiz, Muse's debut album, was produced by John Leckie (famous for his work with The Stone Roses). The album's release was followed by support slots in America with Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Muse's second album, Origin of Symmetry featured an expanded range of instruments, including a Mellotron and a church organ. In 2003, Muse sued Nescafé for using their version of Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse's 'Feeling Good' in an advert without the band's permission. Muse won the case, as well as £500,000 compensation, which they donated to Oxfam. The band also rejected a $50,000 offer from Celine Dion to allow her to use the name Muse for her Las Vegas show.

Hullabaloo, the live DVD, featured footage from Paris, as well as footage documenting the band on tour. An accompanying CD release, Hullabaloo Soundtrack was a compilation of B-sides, live tracks and new songs.

Absolution, Muse's third studio album, spawned the hit singles, 'Hysteria' and 'Time Is Running Out'. The band undertook a huge worldwide arena tour, which ran for almost a year. In June 2004, the band played one of their best gigs to date at Glastonbury Festival. Dominic Howard's father had been at the festival to watch the band but sadly died of a heart attack just an hour after their performance.

In July 2005, Muse performed at the Paris leg of the Live 8 concert, playing 'Plug In Baby', 'Time Is Running Out', 'Hysteria' and 'Bliss'.

The Absolution Tour DVD featured Glastonbury footage as well as previously unseen live footage from Wembley Arena.

Muse's fourth studio album, Black Holes & Revelations debuted at number one in the UK and was nominated for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize (which was won by Artic Monkeys). The album spawned the singles 'Supermassive Black Hole', 'Starlight' and 'Knights of Cydonia'. In August 2006, the band recorded the Live from Abbey Road sessions.

On June 16th and 17th 2007, Muse performed again at Wembley Arena. The concerts were recorded for a DVD and CD release entitled H.A.A.R.P.