Muse: The Definitive Biography
Origins and Formation
Muse formed in 1994 in Teignmouth, Devon, England. Founding members Matthew Bellamy (vocals, guitar), Chris Wolstenholme (bass), and Dominic Howard (drums) met at Teignmouth Community College. Originally named 'Gothic Plague,' then 'Fixed Penalty,' they settled on 'Muse' in 1994, playing local gigs before gaining national attention.
Musical Evolution
Muse's sound merges alternative rock with progressive, electronic, and classical elements. Early albums 'Showbiz' (1999) and 'Origin of Symmetry' (2001) established their signature: Bellamy's operatic vocals, distorted basslines, and space-themed lyrics. Breakthrough album 'Absolution' (2003) spawned hits like 'Time Is Running Out,' while 'Black Holes and Revelations' (2006) incorporated synth-rock, earning global acclaim.
Key Members
Matthew Bellamy: Frontman, principal songwriter, and classically trained pianist known for his 4-octave vocal range.
Chris Wolstenholme: Bassist and backing vocalist, recognized for his use of effects pedals and harmonic techniques.
Dominic Howard: Drummer and electronic percussionist, driving the band's rhythmic complexity since their teens.
Landmark Achievements
Muse has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Notable accolades include 2 Grammy Awards, 5 MTV Europe Music Awards, and 8 NME Awards. Their 2012 London Olympics theme 'Survival' and record-breaking stadium tours cement their status as one of rock's most innovative live acts.
Discography Highlights
Essential albums include 'Origin of Symmetry' (2001), praised for its guitar innovations; 'Black Holes and Revelations' (2006), featuring 'Supermassive Black Hole'; and 'Drones' (2015), a Grammy-winning concept album. Recent work like 'Will of the People' (2022) continues their exploration of societal themes.
- Bellamy's father was a guitarist in the 1960s band The Tornados, who scored a UK No. 1 with 'Telstar'.
- During early tours, the band lived on £5 per week and stole food from service stations to survive.
- Their 2007 HAARP concert at Wembley Stadium broke attendance records and was released as a live album.
- Muse turned down an offer to compose the 'Skyfall' James Bond theme, later describing it as a 'regret'.
