(MUSE) Birth of a supergroup
Thursday 18th February 1999
THIS time next year they could just have the world at their feet.
As the British music industry saluted its top performers at the Brit Awards, rising stars Muse were being tipped as the next big thing.
Today reporter JOHN WARE profiles the £1 million Teignmouth rockers, meets their families, and finds out why the business believes they have got what it takes.
IF South Devon rockers Muse become a world supergroup as predicted, it will hardly be an overnight success.
They have struggled for four years playing in small pubs, clubs and halls without much acclaim.
Today they received the accolade of a feature in the New Musical Express - the bible of rock fans.
The NME describes them as: "Three Disney-sweet doe-eyed Devon kids and their school band - devoted young pups determined not to lose their grip on their schoolboy dreams of rock Valhalla."
They were bright enough to have gone to university from Teignmouth Community College, but only wanted to play in a band. To make ends meet, it meant taking odd jobs, and evening signing on the dole, and there were dark days when they thought it would never happen.
But they gradually honed their own distinctive brand of alternative rock, and now the years of slogging seem to have paid off.
Muse have just been signed by Madonna's label Maverick in a reputed £1 million deal that could see them sweep to world fam and fortune by the end of the year. Apparently they just blew them away in LA.
They took Hollywood by storm when they showcased for top record companies anxious to sign them up.
LP release
Maverick came out tops and their first LP. so far unnamed is due for release in the summer simultaneously in North America, the UK, Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia and many other countries.
The music industry is notorious for over hyping bands that are never heard of again, but it appears to be different with Muse.
All the pundits predict a mega future and hard headed businessmen would not be investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in them unless they were confident they could it big time.
He groomed them for a couple of years before deciding they were ready to record in his famous Sawmills studio on the banks of the Fowey in Cornwall.
He was impressed with their dedication and talent and recorded their first EP, Overdue, there two years ago and released it on his Dangerous Records label.
It got then noticed nationally and the follow up EP, Muscle Museum, really put Muse on the road to success.
It was heavily plugged on Steve Lamacq's Radio 1 show and reached number three in the NME independent album chart. And there will be a live Evening Session on Radio 1 soon.
Dennis, who lives near Totnes, and is a director of Taste Media Ltd in London, believes they definitely have what it takes to be as good, or if not bigger, than Oasis.
Professional
And he should know. The list of groups who have used Sawmills reads like a Who's Who of recent Brit Pop - Oasis (Definitely Maybe): Stone Roses: Wet, Wet, Wet: Catatonia, Supergrass: Kenickie: Ocean Colour Scene and The Verve.
"I kept an eye on them for about two years before deciding they were ready to record. At £1,000 a day you have to be sure before allowing a group into the studio.
"They are very professional and I happen to like them as well, which is a big help/
"I advised them not to go to London, but stay in the South West and keep plugging away. So many budding groups have gone to London and disappeared.
"If bands are any good they can still make it here - we have all the facilities needed.
"The Americans really love them and went wild then they heard them play. I am glad they signed for Maverick, because they really promote their bands and only have 16 acts worldwide. They understand about the development of artists.
"Muse are original and dynamic and if all goes well they could emulate the worldwide success of U2".
Geoff Meall of The Agency Group Ltd, one of the biggest in the business, said he was delighted to be representing Muse for live bookings across the world.
"This is the first time in over six years that I have taken on a band who at the same time were unsigned: a sign of my real belief they are definitely going to be one of the largest live acts we represent across the world."
And Ronnie June Dashev, chief operating officer of Maverick, confirmed to the Herald Express, from her Beverly Hills, California, office, they had signed an agreement for the exclusive recording services of Muse.
They intended to schedule the first album for release in the States in the third quarter of this year.
'Priority act'
"And she enthused: "Muse is a priority act for Maverick Records."
The group started recording the album on February 8 at the famous Abbey Road studios and Sawmill, and is due for completion at the end of April. Top producer John Leckie is putting it together.
A single, Cave, remixed from the first EP, should be out in May.
The summer will be spent playing at all the major UK and European festivals, including Glastonbury and Reading, with an August release date for the album.
To coincide with the launch there will be a three month promotional tour of the USA, and a British tour around Christmas.
Even if they become superstars, Dennis reckons Muse will still keep their feet firmly planted on terra firma.
'Delight'
"There is nothing prima donna about them. They still regard Teignmouth as home and will always be popping back here to see mum and dad and friends.
"Everybody is delighted at what has happened, but the boys do realise this is where all the hard work begins. Too many bands forget that, but Muse are determined and sensible enough to know what's needed."
Staff and pupils at Teignmouth community College are all excited at the prospect of seeing their old boeys bcome superstars.
"They first formed a group here and were helped a lot by our former head of music Jill Bird," said drama teacher Chris Dryden.
"We recognised right from the start that they had talent, especially Matthew who is a good songwriter. Everybody here is very proud of them."
So how good are they really? Today's NME is in in no doubt.
"Sound like Radiohead. Only better."
Top of the pops Dad George also bids for chart success
MUSIC runs in Matthew Bellamy's blood - his dad George Bellamy was in top Sixties group the Tornadoes, who had a string of smash hits including Telstar which reached number one in the UK and States.
"Wouldn't it be nice if Matthew had a number one as well - I don't think that has ever been done before," said George, 57, who still keeps his hand in playing with "fun" group Rough Terrain around the area. "I have always encouraged Matthew, but never pushed him. He is a natural and I am so pleased for the boys.
"Matthew and the others are very down to earth and realistic. They do not believe all the hype and their attitude is that they'll believe it when they see it.
"They are very switched on about the commercial side as well," added George who now lives in Exeter.
He was a founder member of the Tornadoes and quit at the height of their fame in 1963 because he was fed up with all the touring and had health problems.
The group have just won a 30 year battle over the rights to their music and a CD of Tornadoes hits is about to be released, so father and son will have albums out at the same time!
Mum Marilyn, who still lives in Teignmouth, said she was absolutely thrilled at the success of Muse.
"I am over the moon. I remember when they first formed a band when they were about 14 or 15.
"They used to practice in the cellar of my house in Barn Park Road because nobody would allow them a hall to rehearse when they heard it was a rock band!
"I wasn't disappointed when Matthew said he did not want to go to university. - I knew music was his life.
"Success will not go to their heads - they are too nice. They deserve it because they had some really hard times and would even do gigs for nothing because they just wanted to play.
"This is a great day for Teignmouth and Devon because it will encourage other local bands. It shows it can be done down here."
Dominic's parents, Bill and Chris, are equally thrilled.
"We can't believe it's really happened - it hasn't sunk in yet," admitted Chris.
"We haven't seen them play for some time, but recently went along to a gig at the Cavern Club in Exeter and were really surprised at how well they have come on.
"It has been a struggle for them over the years, and we obviously worried about them, but hopefully it will now be all worthwhile."
Chris's mum Jackie Wolstenholme always believed Muse would make it big.
"In the early days I used to drive them around and recognised they had a lot of talent. They are very original, only performing their own material which is important.
"I remember they used to spend hours in Chris's bedroom putting it all together.
"They really took off when they met Dennis Smith and they also owe a lot to music teacher Jill Bird at Teignmouth Community College who encouraged them so much.
"I am sure success will not change them much. Chris is still very laid back and takes it all in his stride. He thinks a lot of the things being said about them are a joke."
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