Snow Patrol spank Monkeys

SNOW PATROL have beaten ARCTIC MONKEYS to the biggest-selling album of the year so far. Eyes Open went four-times platinum on Sunday, having sold a massive 1.2 million copies since its release in May.

Monkeys’ debut Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not only reached 1,115,000 at the weekend — and there is snow chance of it catching up by the end of the year.

'New band rumours are false'

English rockers Arctic Monkeys have squashed rumours frontman Alex Turner is starting a new band called The Rascals, insisting all stories of the side-project are "false". The Rascals were reported to be playing their first gig at the Korova Bar in Liverpool, England, on Friday (01DEC06). However, fans need not fear the rising band's demise- the group's spokesperson has slammed the reports. She says, "It's all false. It's just the work of a mischievous promoter." The Sheffield-based group topped the UK charts earlier this year (16JAN06) with their hit single When The Sun Goes Down, from their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.
Src: Contactmusic.com

Meteor Awards

In a pretty unbelievable year for Arctic Monkeys around the World, they have now been nominated for 3 Awards in the 2007 Meteor Ireland Music Awards - Ireland’s equivalent to the Brits. Taking place in the Point Theatre on Thursday 1st February and broadcast on RTE Two at 9pm on Sunday 4th February 2007 Arctic Monkeys have been nominated for: Best Live Performance (Oxegen) Best International Album Best International Band Public voting will be live from today – Thursday 16th November for six public categories including Best Live Performance.
Src: Arcticmonkeys.com

Noel Gallagher: "Arctic Monkeys are grumpy old men"

OASIS rocker NOEL GALLAGHER has dismissed rising British band ARCTIC MONKEYS as "a bunch of grumpy old men". In a scathing attack on the young four-piece, Gallagher slammed their trademark 'real-life' lyrics and fears their success is going to inspire scores of copycat bands. He says, "Their public persona is now of a bunch of grumpy old men. I'm worried about what's going to follow in their wake. "It's gonna be c**ts with guitars going: 'And me mum works down the f**king chip shop, she met a geezer' and all that. "Great pop music is not about real life, it's about how great life can be. Real life's s**t." Despite Gallagher's description of the band as "old", the Arctic Monkeys range in age from 20 to 21. Src: Contactmusic.com

Arctic Monkeys going acoustic?

Arctic Monkeys could ditch their trademark sound for the band's new album and move towards acoustic songwriting, fronman Alex turner has revealed. The band shot to the top of the charts - quickly garnering public affection - with their blend of gritty street poetry and angular guitars. However, speaking to Uncut Magazine, Turner says despite an incredibly busy 12 months, which has seen the Sheffield act take the Mercury Music Prize, he can't put his guitar down. "I can't stop writing songs, I don't know what else I'm going to do," he says, adding that the new material could be more relaxed than people think. "I've written quite a few slower ones- there's 13 or 14 songs, maybe a few more, in different states." Laurence Bell, the boss of their label Domino Records, is also quoted as saying that new track 'Brain Storm' is "very bright and metallic - it'll shock a few people."

Src: Soundgenerator.com

Bono loves Monkyes

Bono is a huge fan of the Arctic Monkeys.

The U2 frontman thinks the Sheffield rockers have been a breath of fresh air in the current music scene and loves frontman Alex Turner's lyrics.

Speaking at Monday's (30.10.06) Q Awards, Bono said: "I think they are great. They write great tunes and they are really honest. Honesty can clear a room. They are young and they have a great future ahead of them."

Bono - whose band scooped the Q Award of Awards, while U2 guitarist The Edge landed the prize for Innovation in Sound at the prestigious event - also admitted he thought U2 were underserved winners of their prize.

He added: "There are loads of other bands who deserve this award, like Radiohead, Primal Scream or Oasis. I absolutely love Primal Scream."

Arctic Monkeys walked away with two gongs, Best Album for 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' and The People's Choice Award.

Src: Monstersandcritics.com

Double-win for Arctic Monkeys at Q Awards

Arctic Monkeys were double winners at this year's Q Awards, picking up the awards for Best Album and People's Choice.

Oasis also picked up two awards at the ceremony, claiming accolades for Best Act in the World Today and Classic Songwriter, which went to Noel Gallagher.

The Oasis star ridiculed his brother Liam, who was absent, when accepting his award. "He's gone to the zoo. The monkeys are bringing their kids to go and have a look at him," he said.

Boy George, who picked up the award for Classis Song for 'Karma Chameleon', said: "I'm so glad to get this award because it means you now recognise me again as a singer and not a road sweeper."

Take That won the Q Idol Award. Jason Orange said: "We didn't expect to get back together after 10 years, let alone be at the Q Awards so it's a pleasure to be here."

Arctic Monkeys star Alex Turner blasted Take That during his acceptance speech, claiming: "A lot of people make jokes about having awards for no reason just for the sake of having awards, and pretending they were good when they weren't."

Other winners included Corinne Bailey Rae, who picked up the award for Best New Act; Gnarls Barkley who picked up the Best Track award for 'Crazy' and Muse, who were named Best Live Act.

U2 picked up the Q Award of Awards; The Who claimed the Q Legend Award and Smokey Robinson won the Q Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.