Muse

Community biography from

In the early 1990s Matthew Bellamy (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Chris Wolstenholme (bass guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Dominic Howard (drums, percussion) attended the same college in Teignmouth, Devon and created a band that would eventually rock stadiums.

Their early path was not easy. After plenty of well received gigs and a couple of EPs Muse were still finding it difficult to be taken seriously by the British record industry who maintained that their style was too derivative, earning them comparisons with Radiohead. The American industry was keen to accept them though, and they facilitated world wide record deals for them, resulting in the release of Showbiz in 1999. Showbiz opened the door to prestigious support gigs. Momentum gathered.

Origin of Symmetry was released in 2001 to reserved praise, although, surprisingly considering their earlier championing of the band, the Americans decided not to release the album, fearing it was not sufficiently radio friendly. It was finally released in the US in 2005.

Hullabaloo, predominantly a collection of live tracks and B sides, was released in 2002 and was followed in 2003 by Absolution. This album showcased their increasingly individualistic orchestral, rich sound, which, when coupled with a driving rock edge, finally catapulted them away from the Radiohead comparisons which had blighted their early career. Its apocalyptic message reflected Bellamy's fascination with conspiracy theories, science and space and it was this album which brought the band considerable critical acclaim.

Black Holes and Revelations was released in 2006 to an eager fanbase and during the resultant tour in 2007 Muse played for two nights to a 75,000 capacity audience in the newly rebuilt Wembley Stadium. Surely this cements the assertion that Muse have made Devon famous for something more than cream teas?