Muse

Muse's fusion of progressive rock, glam, electronica, and Radiohead-influenced experimentation is crafted by guitarist/vocalist Matthew Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenholme, and drummer Dominic Howard.

Bored by the sleepy life provided by their hometown of Teignmouth, Devon, the three British friends began playing music together.

They started the first incarnation of their band while only 13 years old, changing the name of the group from Gothic Plague to Fixed Penalty to Rocket Baby Dolls as time passed.

By 1997, the bandmates settled on the name Muse and released their self-titled debut EP on Dangerous Records, followed by the Muscle Museum EP in 1998.

The group's emotive, passionate sound and live presence drew critical acclaim and industry buzz, and Muse signed a deal with Maverick Records after a trip to New York's CMJ festival.

The singles "Cave" and "Uno" preceded their debut full-length album, Showbiz, which was released toward the end of 1999.

Two years later, Muse issued The Origin of Symmetry and had a major hit with "Hyper Music," which helped propel the album to platinum status in the U.K.

In 2002, fans were treated to Hullabaloo Soundtrack, a combination rarities/live set that peaked at number ten in Europe.

Muse then returned with a proper studio effort, Absolution, which became the band's first album to chart in America.

A short North American tour in the spring of 2004 coincided with Muse's spot on the fifth annual Coachella Music and Arts Festival, and Absolution eventually went gold in the U.S.

Back at home, the album earned Muse their second platinum certification.

Released two years later, Black Holes and Revelations marked the band's brightest, most dynamic set of material to date, topping the U.K.

album chart within its first week and earning Muse their second consecutive number one album at home.

In America, Black Holes and Revelations broke into the Top Ten.

Muse toured Europe, America, Australia, and Southeast Asia in support of the album, and their dynamic stage performance (which won the band multiple awards for Best Live Act, including accolades from the NME Awards, the Q Awards, and the Vodafone Live Music Awards) was captured on 2008's H.A.A.R.P.

Live from Wembley.

The trio spent the remainder of that year -- as well as the early part of 2009 -- in the recording studio, eventually emerging with the release of The Resistance in September.

~ Heather Phares, Rovi

British rock band Muse have revealed they are set to take a break when their current world tour comes to an end in December, but will begin recording a new album next year.

(BANG) -

Muse are to take a break when their current world tour comes to an end.

Although the British rockers - who recently headlined at Glastonbury festival in Somerset, South West England - are due to start laying down tracks for a new record next year, the three-piece act think they deserve a break.

Bassist Chris Wolstenholme told NME magazine: "We'll definitely start working on a new album next year. I think the most time we've had off is about six weeks in the last 12 years, so we're due a break."

The 'Uprising' hitmakers - who won the O2 Silver Clef Award earlier this month for their contribution to the music industry over the past 12 months - admitted achieving success in the US was a surprise, but something the group really appreciated.

Chris said: "With America it was something we never really expected to happen, so I think it was one of those things we really appreciated, hopefully it'll carry on."

The 31-year-old rocker recently stated he didn't think playing alongside U2's The Edge for a rendition of 'Where The Streets Have No Name' at Glastonbury festival would be too hard to beat.

He explained: "That will be just too hard to top, so I think we'll leave it for the time being and appreciate the fact that we got to play with The Edge for three minutes."

Chris Wolstenholme - bassist for 'Uprising' rockers Muse - has likened writing a song for the new 'Twilight' soundtrack to ''selling his soul''.

(BANG) -

Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme "sold his soul" by appearing on the 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' soundtrack.

The rocker - whose specially-written track 'Neutron Star Collision' features in the third film in the popular vampire franchise - admitted while it perhaps wasn't a "cool" thing to do, the band are pleased they did it, as it gave their music more exposure in America.

He told BBC's Newsbeat: "I'm not sure how cool it is to be on those kind of things but sometimes you've just got to get your music out there in different ways. You have to take every opportunity you get over there and sometimes you have to sell your soul. It's very difficult in America, because . nothing is national."

Chris, 31, revealed the 'Uprising' hitmakers - who feature on the soundtrack alongside the likes of Radiohead, Jane's Addiction and Paramore - "didn't care" how the song turned out, as long as it gave the band more exposure in the US.

He said: "When we were in the studio writing it, one minute they said they wanted to use it in the end credits, then they said they wanted to use it in another scene.

"Then it was another scene and in the end we were like, 'Do what you want with it, we don't care any more."

British rockers Muse picked up the 02 Silver Clef Award at the annual Nordoff Robbins 02 Silver Clef Awards in London today (02.07.10).

(BANG) -

Muse and JLS were among the winners at the Nordoff Robbins 02 Silver Clef Awards in London today (02.07.10).

Matthew Bellamy - frontman of the 'Supermassive Black Hole' rockers - admitted although it was a "huge honour" for Muse to receive the 02 Silver Clef Award, he is not usually out of bed so early.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz, he said: "It took me by surprise - I don't usually see this time of the morning. But it's a huge honour to be given the award and so nice to be invited to such an amazing charity event

"Music is an amazing thing."

The singer's bandmate Christopher Wolstenholme also revealed performing 'Where The Streets Have No Name' alongside U2's The Edge at last weekend's Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, South West England, will be hard for the band to beat.

He said: "I don't know if we can top that. Playing with The Edge at Glastonbury was just absolutely amazing. He came to the rehearsals about two or three days before, but it was very hard to actually concentrate on what we were saying because everyone was just watching what he was doing.

"That will be just too hard to top, so I think we'll leave it for the time being and appreciate the fact that we got to play with The Edge for three minutes."

Among the other winners were 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco' crooner Tony Bennett, who picked up the Sony Ericsson Lifetime Achievement Award, and British boy band JLS, who scooped the TAG Newcomer Award.

The ceremony took place at the Park Lane Hilton hotel and was hosted by Sharon Osbourne.

This is the 35th year of the annual music industry honours which aim to raise money for charity Nordoff Robbins - whose goal is to help the sick and disabled with music therapy.

The Nordoff Robbins 02 Silver Clef Awards 2010, full list of winners:

O2 Silver Clef Award: Muse

Sony Ericsson Lifetime Achievement Award: Tony Bennett

Ivestec Icon Award: Dame Vera Lynn

Hard Rock Ambassador of Rock Award: Slash

TAG Newcomer Award: JLS

PPL Classical Award: Russell Watson

Royal Albert Hall Best British Band Award: Scouting For Girls

American Express Digital Innovation Award: Dizzee Rascal

Raymond Weil International Award: Kelis