History of Muse

(Rocket Baby Dolls, the predecessor to Muse).
Muse was founded by Matthew Bellamy, Christopher Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard at the age of thirteen in their hometown of Teignmouth, Devon, England. These childhood friends originally formed the band as a trivial way to pass the time. Bellamy himself was radical by nature, using flashy outfits and maneuvers on stage. In fact, the group’s original name was Gothic Plague. Under the new name of Rocket Baby Dolls, taken from a Japanese pornographic film, the trio entered their school’s Battle of the Bands (“Muse”). To their surprise, the band placed first. Realizing that they had raw and untapped talent, the trio took up the name Muse and began to focus on music more passionately.

However, immediate success did not come to the trio. The advent of “Britpop” angered frontman Bellamy, who believed pure music requires more emotion and passion. Other groups such as Radiohead, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Queen greatly influenced the band to procure a more edged state. As drummer Howard stated, “Music became more than just a way out. It became a passion and a way for us to express ourselves” (“Muse Biography”). The band quickly began to release EPs and tour extensively across England. Individuals across the world became accustomed to “their blistering sound, an impassioned blend of majestic vocals, atom-smashing guitars, and moody, seductive atmospherics” (“Muse Biography”). As grassroots support grew, Muse ventured to America and was signed under Madonna’s label Maverick. After the debut of their first album Showbiz and subsequent albums, their popularity skyrocketed.


(Young Bellamy playing a show).
This popularity was due in part to the band’s use of revolutionary styles and musical signatures in their work. Frontman Matthew Bellamy is a self-described socialist and speaks of unity and resistance in his works. The sheer innate radicalism of Bellamy’s lyrics sets him apart from other bands in the present. In addition, the band has consistently been voted for one of the best live bands in the world. Their dazzling light shows, intensifying spectacles, and rigorous vocals captivate their audiences worldwide. Muse is a trademark icon. The trio has influenced the formation and thought processes of over 200 bands (“Muse”). Their passion to transcend beyond the complacency and calmness of modern rock is apparent even in their works today. The group has inspired other bands to try to succeed in America, demonstrating that foreign bands may progress beyond their home country in pursuit of the American Dream.