Matt Helders
Encyclopedia
Matthew Helders is the drummer for English indie rock
band Arctic Monkeys
. He is the most comprehensive backing vocalist in the group, appearing on several tracks, including the majority of 'Humbug'. He also features as main vocals on Brick By Brick
and I.D.S.T (B-Side to Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
.He is seen as the band's "quietly amiable diplomat".
as the biggest influence on his development as a drummer, saying "the one thing that changed me most was seeing Queens of the Stone Age live at a festival last year...as soon as they came off I was like 'Fuck – I need to start hitting harder'." Helders also explained the band's insistence on singing in their native Sheffield accent
, saying, "when you talk between the songs at a gig and you're speakin' English in our normal accent, it seems a bit strange when you burst into song like you're from California or something...it looks a bit daft".
In a similar fashion to other members of the band, Helders has remained true to his hometown roots, suggesting that seeing places all over the world makes him more appreciative of Sheffield, which still provides the basis for the band's lyrics. "And all around you, there's still plenty of things to write about. Touring lets you see a lot of places that you realise you wouldn't want to live in...and when you come home, it's pretty easy to slip into your old ways, to all the places you've always gone." Helders also points out that despite the fame of the band, he can still avoid being mobbed in the street – "If we all go out together at night clubbing, it's difficult, but alone you don't get recognised much." Although he continued to live at home with his parents during the band's early career, Helders has followed Cook in moving into his own house, but has nonetheless stayed in the Sheffield area, saying "we still all live in the same place we grew up. It's probably just how we were brought up. We're never going to move away to London."
", and "Skin Divers", Duran Duran
's second single from "Red Carpet Massacre
". He is rumoured to be drumming on the Prodigy's new album. He recently drummed with We Are Scientists
at some of their recent UK shows as well as remixing their second single "Chick Lit" as a b-side for the vinyl release. He is featured on Toddla T
's new album "Skanky Skanky
". He also remixed "Again & Again" for Roots Manuva, which gained airplay from Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1.
In August 2008, it was announced that Helders would compile the latest release in the LateNightTales DJ mix CD series, that was released on 27 October 2008. The set entitled Late Night Tales: Matt Helders
included a spoken work track performed and written by bandmate Alex Turner.
On 12 June 2010 Helders (using the stage name Rufus Black) appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross drumming for Diddy's Dirty Money
performance of the single Hello, Good Morning.
Helders is one of 3 creators of the Tramlines Festival
in Sheffield
.
On December 10, 2010, he released a single with super-group "The Bottletop Band" called "The Fall of Rome"
The band includes the likes of Carl Barât
from The Libertines
, Andy Nicholson (ex band-mate from Arctic Monkeys
), Babyshambles
' Drew McConnell
and Gruff Rhys
from Super Furry Animals
Singles
As featured performer
Remixes
designer Skuff. One pound from each sale will go to the Arthur Rank Hospice.
e and Evil Twin
.
Solid White and Clear Spiral
24"x18" Bass Drum
16"x16" Floor Tom
13"x8" Rack Tom
Ludwig Vistalight 14"x4.5" Snare
Pearl Drums
2000 Series:
X2 Snare Stand (one for Tom and one for snare)
Drum Workshop
9000 Hardware:
Kick drum pedal-
9500 Hi Hat stand
X2 9710 Straight Cymbal
Stand
Evans Drumheads:
Snare Evans EC Coated,
EC2 Clear Toms,
EMAD2 Kick Drum
Zildjian:
14" Avedis Mastersound Hi-Hats
18" A series Fast Crash
20" A Series Crash Ride 1
Matt recorded Arctic Monkeys' album 'Humbug
' on a 1971 Ludwig with a black bowling ball wrap. The kit features a 22x14 Kick, 13x9 rack, 16x16 floor and a Ludwig 402 snare.
During the 2009 humbug tour Helders' bass drum had the words "Agile Beast" displayed on it.
Sticks:
Vater 3a Fatback
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
. He is the most comprehensive backing vocalist in the group, appearing on several tracks, including the majority of 'Humbug'. He also features as main vocals on Brick By Brick
Brick by Brick (Arctic Monkeys song)
"Brick by Brick" is a song by Arctic Monkeys from the band's fourth album Suck It and See. The song was the first track to be revealed from the album, on 4 March 2011, and was designed as a teaser for the album rather than a lead single. The lead single was instead "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved...
and I.D.S.T (B-Side to Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
"Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" is a song by the English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. The song was released as the first single from their fourth studio album Suck It and See and was released as a digital download on 12 April 2011...
.He is seen as the band's "quietly amiable diplomat".
Role as drummer
Helders has said that he ended up playing drums as "that was the only thing left. When we started the band none of us played anything. We just put it together. They all had guitars and I bought a drum kit after a bit". However, Helders has stated the influence rap music has had on the band, saying "We were rap fans at school more than now...it still influences us in some ways, like for me, it's the drummin'. The groove element, like foon-keh music". In addition, Helders cites seeing Queens of the Stone AgeQueens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
as the biggest influence on his development as a drummer, saying "the one thing that changed me most was seeing Queens of the Stone Age live at a festival last year...as soon as they came off I was like 'Fuck – I need to start hitting harder'." Helders also explained the band's insistence on singing in their native Sheffield accent
Accent (linguistics)
In linguistics, an accent is a manner of pronunciation peculiar to a particular individual, location, or nation.An accent may identify the locality in which its speakers reside , the socio-economic status of its speakers, their ethnicity, their caste or social class, their first language In...
, saying, "when you talk between the songs at a gig and you're speakin' English in our normal accent, it seems a bit strange when you burst into song like you're from California or something...it looks a bit daft".
In a similar fashion to other members of the band, Helders has remained true to his hometown roots, suggesting that seeing places all over the world makes him more appreciative of Sheffield, which still provides the basis for the band's lyrics. "And all around you, there's still plenty of things to write about. Touring lets you see a lot of places that you realise you wouldn't want to live in...and when you come home, it's pretty easy to slip into your old ways, to all the places you've always gone." Helders also points out that despite the fame of the band, he can still avoid being mobbed in the street – "If we all go out together at night clubbing, it's difficult, but alone you don't get recognised much." Although he continued to live at home with his parents during the band's early career, Helders has followed Cook in moving into his own house, but has nonetheless stayed in the Sheffield area, saying "we still all live in the same place we grew up. It's probably just how we were brought up. We're never going to move away to London."
Outside Arctic Monkeys
Helders remixed “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S (We Rule The World)”, the Hives's fourth single from "The Black and White AlbumThe Black and White Album
The Black and White Album is the fourth full-length album by Swedish rock band The Hives. The album was released on 15 October 2007, in the United Kingdom through Polydor Records and November 13, 2007, in the United States via A&M/Octone Records, No Fun Records, Universal Music Operations and...
", and "Skin Divers", Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
's second single from "Red Carpet Massacre
Red Carpet Massacre
Red Carpet Massacre is the 12th studio album by English pop rock band Duran Duran. It was released on 19 November 2007 in Europe, and on the 13th in the United States....
". He is rumoured to be drumming on the Prodigy's new album. He recently drummed with We Are Scientists
We Are Scientists
We Are Scientists is a New York-based indie rock band that formed in Berkeley, California in 2000. Originally formed of Keith Murray on drums, Chris Cain playing bass guitar and Scott Lamb providing vocals and guitar, before Michael Tapper became drummer and Keith became vocalist and guitarist...
at some of their recent UK shows as well as remixing their second single "Chick Lit" as a b-side for the vinyl release. He is featured on Toddla T
Toddla T
Toddla T is the stage name of Thomas Mackenzie Bell – a DJ, record producer, re-mixer and composer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.- Biography :Toddla T, born 22 February 1985, was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School...
's new album "Skanky Skanky
Skanky Skanky
Skanky Skanky is the debut album by the British artist Toddla T. It features collaborations from artists including Matt Helders, Roots Manuva, Tinchy Stryder, Hervé & Benjamin Zephaniah. There are also more regular contributions from Serocee and Mr Versatile.- Tracklist :-External Links:...
". He also remixed "Again & Again" for Roots Manuva, which gained airplay from Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1.
In August 2008, it was announced that Helders would compile the latest release in the LateNightTales DJ mix CD series, that was released on 27 October 2008. The set entitled Late Night Tales: Matt Helders
Late Night Tales: Matt Helders
Late Night Tales: Matt Helders is a DJ mix album, mixed by Matt Helders , released as part of Late Night Tales / Another Late Night DJ series.-Track listing:...
included a spoken work track performed and written by bandmate Alex Turner.
On 12 June 2010 Helders (using the stage name Rufus Black) appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross drumming for Diddy's Dirty Money
Dirty Money (group)
Diddy – Dirty Money is a rap group consisting of Sean "Diddy" Combs, as well as singer and dancer Dawn Richard and another singer-songwriter Kalenna Harper...
performance of the single Hello, Good Morning.
Helders is one of 3 creators of the Tramlines Festival
Tramlines Festival
The Tramlines Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Sheffield. The festival is free to attend, and the lineup consists of national and local artists. The festival is curated and organised by a panel comprising local venue owners, promoters and volunteers. The name of the...
in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
.
On December 10, 2010, he released a single with super-group "The Bottletop Band" called "The Fall of Rome"
The band includes the likes of Carl Barât
Carl Barât
Carl Ashley Raphael Barât is an English musician, actor and author. He was the frontman and lead guitarist of Dirty Pretty Things, and recently debuted a solo album, but is best known for being the co-frontman with Peter Doherty of the garage rock band The Libertines.-Early life:Carl Barât was...
from The Libertines
The Libertines
The Libertines were an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât and Pete Doherty . The band, centred on the song-writing partnership of Barat and Doherty, also included John Hassall and Gary Powell for most of its recording career...
, Andy Nicholson (ex band-mate from Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
), Babyshambles
Babyshambles
Babyshambles are an English indie rock band established in London. The band was formed by Pete Doherty during a hiatus from his former band The Libertines, but Babyshambles has since become his main project . Babyshambles has released two albums, three EPs and a number of singles...
' Drew McConnell
Drew McConnell
Drew McConnell is the bass guitarist and backing vocalist with Babyshambles, the band formed and fronted by frontman of The Libertines, Pete Doherty. He lived in Tenerife, Spain, for much of his childhood, and he speaks Spanish fluently...
and Gruff Rhys
Gruff Rhys
Gruffydd Maredudd Bowen Rhys is a Welsh musician, performing solo and with several bands, including Super Furry Animals who obtained mainstream success in the 1990s. He also most recently formed the electro-pop outfit Neon Neon with Boom Bip. Their album Stainless Style was nominated for the 2008...
from Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band that lean towards psychedelic rock and electronic experimentation. Since their formation in Cardiff, Wales in 1993, the band has consisted of Gruff Rhys , Huw Bunford , Guto Pryce , Cian Ciaran and Dafydd Ieuan Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band...
Solo discography
Albums- 2008: Late Night Tales: Matt HeldersLate Night Tales: Matt HeldersLate Night Tales: Matt Helders is a DJ mix album, mixed by Matt Helders , released as part of Late Night Tales / Another Late Night DJ series.-Track listing:...
Singles
- 2008: "DreamerDreamer (Livin' Joy song)"Dreamer" was the first track released by Italian house group Livin' Joy in 1994. It was a number-one dance hit that year. The following year, it entered the UK chart at No. 1. "Set You Free", the dance anthem from N-Trance, could only reach No. 2 the same year.The song was first released in the...
" (featuring Nesreen Shah)
As featured performer
- 2008: Mongrel – "Barcode" (featuring Pariz 1, Tor Cesay, Mpho, Saul Williams and Matt Helders)
- 2008: Mongrel – "The Menace" (featuring Lowkey and Matt Helders)
- 2009: Toddla TToddla TToddla T is the stage name of Thomas Mackenzie Bell – a DJ, record producer, re-mixer and composer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.- Biography :Toddla T, born 22 February 1985, was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School...
– "Boom Dj From The Steel City" - 2009: Toddla TToddla TToddla T is the stage name of Thomas Mackenzie Bell – a DJ, record producer, re-mixer and composer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.- Biography :Toddla T, born 22 February 1985, was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School...
– "Better"
Remixes
- 2008: The HivesThe HivesThe Hives are a Swedish garage rock band that first garnered attention in the early 2000s as a prominent group of the garage rock revival. Their mainstream success came with the release of the "greatest hits" album Your New Favourite Band, featuring their most well-known song "Hate to Say I Told...
– "We Rule The World (T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.)" - 2008: We Are ScientistsWe Are ScientistsWe Are Scientists is a New York-based indie rock band that formed in Berkeley, California in 2000. Originally formed of Keith Murray on drums, Chris Cain playing bass guitar and Scott Lamb providing vocals and guitar, before Michael Tapper became drummer and Keith became vocalist and guitarist...
– "Chick Lit" - 2008: Roots ManuvaRoots ManuvaRodney Hylton Smith , better known by his stage name Roots Manuva, is a British rapper from Stockwell, South London. He is currently signed to Big Dada.-Biography:...
– "Again & Again" - 2008: Duran DuranDuran DuranDuran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
– "Skin Divers" - 2009: Yo MajestyYo MajestyYo! Majesty is an American hip hop group consisting of rapper Shunda K and singer Jwl B, produced by UK-based electro group HardfeelingsUK.Yo! Majesty was mentioned as one of the 'Top 11 new bands of 2008' by NME magazine as well as one of the '25 Most Exciting Bands In America'.-Biography:Yo!...
– "Club Action" - 2011: Wet Nuns – "Don't Wanna See Your Face"
Clothing line
Helders has released his own clothing line, consisting of a jacket, a zip hood and three t-shirts. The garments went on sale in May 2007 with sales accompanied by a CD featuring an Arctic Monkeys remix by Matt himself and Supreme BeingSupreme Being
The term Supreme Being is often defined simply as "God", and it is used with this meaning by theologians of many religious faiths, including, but not limited to, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Deism. However, the term can also refer to more complex or philosophical interpretations of the...
designer Skuff. One pound from each sale will go to the Arthur Rank Hospice.
Acting
Matt also acted in three videoclips from Arctic Monkeys: Leave Before The Lights Come On, Suck It And SeSuck It and See
Suck It and See is the fourth studio album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, released 6 June 2011 in the UK and 7 June in the US, following their 2011 North American tour. The band worked with producer James Ford on this album and promised a more "vintage" style. The music video for "Brick...
e and Evil Twin
Evil twin
The evil twin is an antagonist found in many different fictional genres. They are physical copies of protagonists, but with radically inverted moralities. In filmed entertainment, they can have obvious physical differences with the protagonist—such as facial hair, eyepatches, scars or distinctive...
.
Equipment
RCI with Premier Hardware (LUGS):Solid White and Clear Spiral
24"x18" Bass Drum
Bass drum
Bass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
16"x16" Floor Tom
Floor tom
A floor tom is a double-headed tom-tom drum which usually stands on the floor on three legs. However, they can also be attached to a cymbal stand with a drum clamp....
13"x8" Rack Tom
Tom-tom drum
A tom-tom drum is a cylindrical drum with no snare.Although "tom-tom" is the British term for a child's toy drum, the name came originally from the Anglo-Indian and Sinhala; the tom-tom itself comes from Asian or Native American cultures...
Ludwig Vistalight 14"x4.5" Snare
Snare drum
The snare drum or side drum is a melodic percussion instrument with strands of snares made of curled metal wire, metal cable, plastic cable, or gut cords stretched across the drumhead, typically the bottom. Pipe and tabor and some military snare drums often have a second set of snares on the bottom...
Pearl Drums
Pearl Drums
Founded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
2000 Series:
X2 Snare Stand (one for Tom and one for snare)
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
9000 Hardware:
Kick drum pedal-
9500 Hi Hat stand
X2 9710 Straight Cymbal
Cymbal
Cymbals are a common percussion instrument. Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys; see cymbal making for a discussion of their manufacture. The greater majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a...
Stand
Evans Drumheads:
Snare Evans EC Coated,
EC2 Clear Toms,
EMAD2 Kick Drum
Zildjian:
14" Avedis Mastersound Hi-Hats
18" A series Fast Crash
20" A Series Crash Ride 1
Matt recorded Arctic Monkeys' album 'Humbug
Humbug (album)
Humbug has received major critical acclaim, with many praising the band's newfound maturity. Billboard stated that the band "justif[ies] the hype by shifting its best qualities into different, equally dazzling shapes," while The Record Review noted that with Humbug, the Arctic Monkeys proved...
' on a 1971 Ludwig with a black bowling ball wrap. The kit features a 22x14 Kick, 13x9 rack, 16x16 floor and a Ludwig 402 snare.
During the 2009 humbug tour Helders' bass drum had the words "Agile Beast" displayed on it.
Sticks:
Vater 3a Fatback