Muse

Muse, an English rock band formed in Teignmouth, Devon, in 1994, consists of Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Chris Wolstenholme (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Dominic Howard (drums, percussion). Their journey began in their teenage years, playing in separate school bands before coming together as Gothic Plague, then Fixed Penalty, and Rocket Baby Dolls. In 1994, as Rocket Baby Dolls, they won a local Battle of the Bands competition. After this, the band took their music seriously, changed their name to Muse, and relocated from Teignmouth to pursue their musical career.

Their debut album, “Showbiz,” released in 1999, introduced Bellamy’s falsetto and a melancholic alternative rock sound. This was followed by “Origin of Symmetry” in 2001, which expanded their sound with wider instrumentation and romantic classical influences, establishing their reputation for energetic live performances. Despite initial reluctance from British record companies, their second EP, “Muscle Museum EP,” garnered attention from radio broadcaster Steve Lamacq and NME magazine. A significant turning point came with signing a deal with American record label Maverick Records in December 1998, followed by deals in Europe and Australia, allowing them creative control.

Muse’s career progressed with a series of successful albums and extensive touring. “Absolution” (2003) brought their first UK number-one album and top-ten hit “Time Is Running Out.” “Black Holes and Revelations” (2006) further expanded their international success with electronic and pop elements. They became major stadium acts with “The Resistance” (2009) and “The 2nd Law” (2012), exploring themes of government oppression and civil uprising. In 2012, they received the Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement and as of October 2022, had sold over 30 million albums worldwide, cementing their status as a globally recognized rock act.