Andrea
Besides being a drummer and founding member of the hugely popular indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, Matt Helders is a musician who had projects with many other notable artists.
He is an English drummer who is also a songwriter and singer, showing how talented he is as a musician. Matt has contributed significantly to the band’s success and solidified his position as one of the best drummers in the music industry with his forceful and dynamic drumming technique.
This article will go into further detail about Matt Helders‘ life and music career, as well as how he influences the music industry.
Who is Matt Helders?
Matt Helders is known as the Arctic Monkeys‘ drummer and founding member. He was born on 7 May 1986 in Sheffield, England.
Unlike other drummers, Matt knew nothing about drumming until he formed Arctic Monkeys with other members. When it came time to start a band with his friends, they only had guitars and a drum kit, and Matt ended up playing drums as “that was the only thing left.”
Despite not having formal drum training, drummer Matt Helders quickly developed his skills and became an integral part of the band. His powerful and dynamic drumming style helped propel the Arctic Monkeys to success, and he has since become one of the most respected drummers in the music industry.
One of the biggest influences on Matt’s development as a drummer was seeing Queens of the Stone Age live. He cites their powerful and tight rhythms to inspire his own playing.
This influence was evident in his work with the Arctic Monkeys, and it was no surprise when in 2015, he collaborated with Iggy Pop and Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme and Dean Fertita to record Pop’s studio album Post Pop Depression (2016). The album received critical acclaim and solidified Matt’s reputation as one of the top drummers in the industry.
He is known for his versatility and ability to adapt to different styles of music, making him a sought-after musician in the industry. Matt Helders is a true talent behind the drum set, and his unique drumming style has significantly impacted Arctic Monkeys’ music.
Music career
Matt Helders is a renowned musician and drummer who rose to fame as a member of the band Arctic Monkeys. Despite having no prior experience playing drums, Helders formed the band in 2002 with Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, and Andy Nicholson.
The band’s unique style of singing in their native Sheffield accent helped them achieve success quickly. Helders is also known for his comprehensive backing vocals for the band. Moreover, his unique brand of playing drums while wearing comfortable joggers also stays in many people’s minds.
Matt Helders has worked on various other projects besides being an Arctic Monkeys drummer. In 2008, he remixed The Hives‘ fourth single, T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S, and Duran Duran‘s second single, Skin Divers.
He also contributed drums to the 2016 album Post Pop Depression by Iggy Pop and Josh Homme, as well as to the Joanne album by American singer Lady Gaga.
What drums does Matt Helders play?
Throughout his career, Helders has used a variety of Premier drum kits, which he often uses to bring a unique groove element to his drumming.
One of the drum kits he has been known to use is the Premier Gold sparkle vintage drum kit, which features a sparkling gold finish and is known for its warm, rich tone. Another drum kit he has used is the Premier Series Elite drum kit in a custom Union Jack finish, which is known for its high-quality construction and ability to produce a powerful sound.
He also used a 1971 Ludwig drum kit with a classic vintage look and sound.
Discography
Matt Helders has recorded seven studio albums as the Arctic Monkeys drummer. Those are Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006), Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), Humbug (2009), Suck It and See (2011), AM (2013), Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018), The Car (2022).
In 2006, Arctic Monkeys got an achievement which is winning the Mercury Prize for their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.
In addition to his drumming, Helders also contributes as a backing vocalist in the band. He often sings in response to or in harmony with lead singer Alex Turner.
He also sings lead vocals on several Arctic Monkeys songs, such as D Is for Dangerous, Brick by Brick, and I.D.S.T., as well as on parts of You Probably Couldn’t See for the Lights but You Were Staring Straight at Me, Who the Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys? and Teddy Picker from various Arctic Monkeys albums.
Conclusion
In summary, Matt Helders has been one of the key factors in Arctic Monkeys’ success and is a testament to his skill as a drummer. His ability to write great drum parts and energize the music with interesting drum beats has helped make Arctic Monkeys one of the biggest bands in modern music.
He has proven that he is an important asset to the band, not only through his skill as a musician but also through his passionate dedication to their sound.
