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Josh Homme reveals why he worked with Arctic Monkeys Arctic Monkeys Tickets

Plus 'Humbug' producer reveals album's 'weird' new direction

Josh Homme has revealed that he wanted to work with Arctic Monkeys after falling in love with their lyrics.

The Queens Of The Stone Age frontman co-produced the Sheffield band's third album 'Humbug', even recording some parts with the band out in the Mojave Desert in California.

Speaking about why he opted to produce a band Homme told the US edition of GQ that it was frontman Alex Turner's words that first got his attention.

"I was sucked in at first by the lyrics. Alex sounded like a rare poet playing music – he has a special gift for the gab," explained Homme, who then singled out Arctic Monkeys' Matt Helders as "one of the best drummers in rock 'n' roll".

Speaking about the record the producer explained that 'Humbug' – released on August 24 – sees the Sheffield band experimenting.

"This is the record where they get weird, grow up and trip out," he declared.

Meanhwile Homme's co-producer, Simian Mobile Disco, suggested the album would split fans.

"It'll definitely surprise people, especially people who are familiar with things like ['I Bet That You Would Look Good On The] 'Dancefloor' and stuff like that, [they] might be quite taken aback," he told Radio 1's Newsbeat.

"They’re progressing and moving forward trying to change, push themselves and push their audience which I think is rare in a lot of bands today. They’ve just got more relaxed with themselves - they’re comfortable doing what they’re doing. "

Arctic Monkeys tickets:

Date / Time Artist Venue Town/City Buy
Nov 22, 2009 19:30 Arctic Monkeys Trent Fm Arena Nottingham

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Comments (8)

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IndieWriter 

Jul 29, 2009

ffs, more of the first album please - best debut since Definitely Maybe. 2nd record was dull, but with a few tunes (the ones that sound like they were from the first record) and crying lightning is bollocks, considering this is the same man that wrote Dancefloor, Mardy Bum, Ritz to The Rubble and Still Take You Home

coxy123 

Jul 29, 2009

Stop talking rubbish. The new album sounds brillant, get over the first album! There growing as a band not just churning out the same "indie" sounds like everyother band

bazbestos 

Jul 30, 2009

Josh Homme is a fucking genius and has proven it once again. He's actually made the Monkey's sound good.

chriswright225 

Jul 30, 2009

Couldn't agree more..first album was good, granted. But i actually prefer this style..veering towards last shadow puppets in a few songs with their own arctics edge. Plus, 'Cornerstone ' is Turner's finest lyrically, such a good song..they clearly have more to offer than just songs about goin out round Sheffield..which i think that 1 albums worth was enough. Roll on Leeds fest...

prettyvisitor 

Jul 30, 2009

I agree with IndieWriter. As much as i will do and always have loved the arctic monkeys the new stuff is okay. Lets be honest its nothing compared to dancefloor, mardy bum e.t.c is it ? And what is alex doing with his hair ?

-mannequin- 

Jul 30, 2009

Crying Lightning is okay, nothing special compared to their previous work. I do agree though that Alex writes amazing lyrics and Matt is a sensational drummer.

jaygill 

Jul 30, 2009

getting these two guys especially Homme to produce them is a master stroke.I've loved all their albums so far and the new one is by far the best artistically.they've already well established themselves as great entertainers but now seem to be maturing and proving what great artists they are.those people hung up on the first album and it's catchiness need to widen their horizons and open themselves up a bit more musically and stop living in the past if they wish to keep up with the band and their work or even if they just want to start discovering there is a whole world of great and varied music out there to enjoy.or they could just keep the blinkers on and keep comparing everything to Oasis of course.

CatieRAVE 

Aug 3, 2009

I totally agree with Coxy123, if they played the same type of music from their 'Whatever People say I am thats what I'm not' album it would be boring if they are not growing and improving and experimenting with their music. Either way people would critise them. All true Arctic Monkeys fans will adjust to this 'quirky' new style they've got going. Or they should, if not who cares. The Arctics will probably get a new load of fans from their upcoming album 'Humbug'. I've loved them since the start, I find every song they have made so far very inspiring and there is no other band like them. Good on ya , Monkeys'! :)

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Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders has ambitions to follow his former bandmate Andy Nicholson into the pub trade - and he already has a name for his future boozer, The Cautious Horse. Helders explained: "I don't know where [it'd be] as in location, but I'd want it to be underground, so it didn't look like a pub really. It'd just be a door with The Cautious Horse and you'd go downstairs."
Pic: Dean Chalkley

Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders has ambitions to follow his former bandmate Andy...

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