#muse articles

Aberdeen Evening Express Wednesday 16th February 2000

It took them five years of hard graft to sweep up four record deals in a matter of months, but for Muse all that really matters is the music. "I don't think many bands feel that strongly about their music," states frontman Matt Bellamy. "It's sad, but I think Nirvana were the last band who had that. Music should be an outlet for your emotions. If it wasn't for Muse, I think I'd probably be a nasty, violent person. It's definitely a release, and that's the way it should be." The trio - Matt, Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard - all grew up in a sea-side town in Devon. It was at 13 that they formed their first band, playing wherever would have them. Matt says "We played at hundreds of places, pubs full of old people, whatever, but all they ever wanted was covers of 60s hits, so we didn't go down very well. I think it helped us in a way." Now at the average age of 20, Muse can boast they've come a long way. Madonna's Maverick label was the first to sign them, quickly followed up by Motor in Germany, Naïve in France and Mushroom in the UK. "We just want to communicate our music to as many people as possible," says Matt. "To get to make a few records and be immensely famous and rich!"