English rockers Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard comprise the band Muse. They’ve won two Grammys and sold more than twenty million albums worldwide.
Here’s how the band made it big.
1. They started in the local music scene.
Before they were Muse, Bellamy, Wolstenholme, and Howard were all playing in separate bands at Teignmouth Community College. Bellamy auditioned for Howard’s band, and together they asked Wolstenholme to join as their bassist.
They won a local battle of the bands under the name Rocket Baby Dolls in 1994. Afterward, the members quit their jobs and moved away from Teignmouth to pursue music full time under the name Muse.
2. They used their connections to break into mainstream music.
Before releasing any studio music, the band spent a few years growing their fanbase. They played shows in London and Manchester as part of Skunk Anansie’s tour. The band’s first real breakthrough came after a meeting with Sawmill Studios owner Dennis Smith, who had watched the boys grow up. Smith happened to own a production company and record label with Safta Jafery, the band’s future manager.
On May 11, 1998, Muse released its first self-titled EP on the Dangerous label. They released a second EP and performed at Woodstock the following year.
3. They went international to score a record deal.
Even after the success of their debut EPs, Muse had a difficult time getting British record companies to give them the time of day. A festival in New York led to a meeting with executives at Columbia Records, and the band soon signed to the label Maverick Records in the US.
They’re still releasing music together today.
Before they were selling millions of albums worldwide, Muse was another local band hoping to play in big cities. Their story is proof that anyone with the right drive can make it big in music.
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Kristen Harris enjoys listening to a wide range of music, from Taylor Swift to, on occasion, Celtic instrumental. She also spends her time writing, reading, and baking.
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