by Flore (Nov 13, 2004)

  Time is running out.

Muse is now one of the most famous rock bands. With just three albums, the three boys who compose this group have imposed their identity. You'll always recognise them as soon as you've heard one of their songs once. Their music is bewitching, the voice of the singer is astounding, and the way they use their instruments is amazing.

Matthew Bellamy (vocals-guitar-keyboards), Chris Wolstenholme (bass guitar) and Dominic Howard (drums-percussion) met at school in Teignmouth, in the Devon. They play music as some others take drugs: to escape to the mediocre life they have.

It all started when they won a music competition called "Battle of bands" which took place in Teignmouth. They participated under the name of "Rocket Baby Dolls", just to have fun. But after their performance, they were noticed by Denis Smith, a producer, with whom they decided to make their first CDs, such as "Muscle Museum", with which they were discovered, and then signed with Maverick (the group which produce Madonna). They were just 20 years old.

"Showbiz", Muse’s first album, was realeased on September 1999. More than 700,000 were sold all over the world. They began to be popular in the little world of rock, in which we can read about them: "Rock's future has a name: Muse." 

They give a lot of concerts, and prove how full of talents they are. When they came to France for the first time, in July 1999, the audience was already singing with them.

The second album: "Origin of Symmetry" is a bomb. Their challenge was to give in this album the same energy they freed on stage.

 The singles "New Born", "Plug in Baby"" were successful, and showed on MTV. The album is pulled out of the shelves in the shops by the fans. The United States is the only country where they are still ignored. The musical virus "Muse" has invaded all the western world, up to Japan. Here is for them the beginning of an increasing popularity: fans are ever more to acclaim them, and they become hysterical, newspapers praise them to the skies... They began their second Tour, on the same way they used to for Showbiz: we could see them in almost all festivals, and they crossed all the world to visit their fans. They appeared on film's musical lists ... they won a lot of prestigious awards.

In July 2002, they released their first DVD and album "live": "Hullabaloo". Recorded in Paris, at the Zenith (to thank the French fans who've always supported them).

Some time later, they recorded their third album: "Absolution": the CD of their consecration, which you can hear on all radio stations. The album is covered with success, and singles taken from too. Who hasn't heard the beautiful (and well-known) "Sing for Absolution"? the fantastic "Hysteria"? or just "Time is Running out" ?

Fans are now waiting for a new CD, but the band is thinking of stopping music for a while. Since the release of "Absolution" on the 22nd of September 2003, they haven't had the time to breath, giving concerts, interviews ... Aged 26, they want to quit the tornado they've created, and take the time to visit the world to find inspiration for their next CD, and try to live a simple life again.

Muse is: Matthew Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme

If you wish to react to this article, write to the editor.