Matthew Helders is an English musician and DJ, best known as the drummer for indie rock
band Arctic Monkeys.
He is seen as the band's "quietly amiable diplomat."
Biography 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 Age 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."
The most comprehensive backing vocalist of the group, his vocals have been featured on
many of the band's songs.
He often sings in response to or in harmony with lead singer Alex Turner, and sings lead
vocals on "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."
Also, during two shows of the North American leg of the band's Humbug Tour, he sang an
interpolation of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" during an encore performance of "Fluorescent
Adolescent".
Outside Arctic Monkeys Helders remixed T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S, the Hives's
fourth single from The Black and White Album, and "Skin Divers," Duran Duran's second single
from "Red Carpet Massacre."
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 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.
The set, entitled Late Night Tales: Matt Helders, was released on 27 October 2008 and included
a spoken work track performed and written by bandmate Alex Turner.
On 12 June 2010 Helders 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.
Clothing line Helders 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 Being designer Skuff.
One pound from each sale will go to the Arthur Rank Hospice.
Equipment RCI with Premier Hardware Solid White and
Clear Spiral 24"x18" Bass Drum
16"x16" Floor Tom 13"x8" Rack Tom
Ludwig Vistalight 14"x 4.5" Snare Pearl Drums 2000 Series
X2 Snare Stand 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" K Mastersound Hi-Hats 18" K Dark Medium Thin Crash
22" K Light Ride Vater Drumsticks
3a Fatback 1971 Ludwig Black Bowling Ball Wrap
22x14 Kick Drum 13x9 Tom Rack
16x16 Floor Tom Ludwig 402 Snare
During the 2009 Humbug Tour, Helders' bass drum had the words "Agile Beast" displayed
on it.
This was done in similar fashion with the word "Missing" during parts of the Suck It
and See Tour.
In 2013 the number '0114' was displayed on his bass drum skin, the phone area code for
Matt's hometown Sheffield.
Solo discography Albums
Late Night Tales: Matt Helders Singles
"Dreamer" As featured performer
Mongrel – "Barcode" Mongrel – "The Menace"
Toddla T – "Boom Dj From The Steel City" Toddla T – "Better"
Remixes The Hives – "We Rule The World"
We Are Scientists – "Chick Lit" Roots Manuva – "Again & Again"
Duran Duran – "Skin Divers" Yo Majesty – "Club Action"
Wet Nuns – "Don't Wanna See Your Face" References