Muse In-depth Biography

Muse is an English alternative band from Devon, England. The band first began in 1994 by school friends frontman Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, lead guitar, piano, keyboards, keytar), Christopher Wolstenholme (bass, vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar, harmonica) and Dominic Howard (drums, percussion, synthesisers, sampling, harmtar).

The band has won numerous awards throughout the years including a number of NME Awards, BRIT Awards, MTV Music Awards and Grammys.

Previously to the band being called Muse, the band was called Gothic Plague, Fixed Penalty, and Rocket Baby Doll before settling on Muse when a teacher had mentioned the word to Matt Bellamy and this became the name they would become associated with as they became famous.

In the late ‘90s/early 2000s, Muse built up their fan base and the band was signed to Maverick Records. It was only after they were showcased by Columbia Records that their talent was revealed.

Their second album Origin Symmetry was the first time the band experimented with more eclectic instruments such as a church organ and reflected the influences of the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Rage Against the Machine. The album received critical acclaimed from the likes of alternative magazine NME and gave them the momentum to push forward with their sounds – even refusing to change some of the vocals to fit the US market.

Muse released a live DVD Hullabaloo which featured footage from their shows in Paris, as well as a documentary about the band.

Their third album Absolution was a number one hit and contained the top songs "Time Is Running Out" and later three top-twenty hits: "Hysteria", "Sing for Absolution" and "Butterflies and Hurricanes". They continued to do well and performed at Glastonbury in 2004.

Two years later, their next album Black Holes and Revelations came out which was based on science fiction and politics. Again this topped the number one spot on the Billboard 200 album chart and was also a success in Europe.

Throughout 2006, Muse toured Europe with support from the Noisettes and demand for tickets to see Muse surged to new heights when they played London Wembley Arena in 2007.

Bellamy, Howard and Wolstenholme all received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Plymouth for their contributions to music.

Their fifth album The Resistance was number 1 in 19 countries and hailed a success. The band went on The Resistance Tour as well as supporting the longstanding U2 on their 360 tour. The pinnacle of their career came in 2010 where they replaced U2 at Glastonbury on the Pyramid Stage who had pulled out when Bono had a back injury.