Muse: Did You Know?

8 Sep

Muse has long been one of the most innovative and electrifying bands in modern rock. With their unique blend of rock, electronic, and orchestral elements, the trio—comprising Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard—has garnered a massive following worldwide. Beyond their massive hits like Uprising, Starlight, and Supermassive Black Hole, there are plenty of intriguing and lesser-known stories that make Muse even more fascinating. Let’s explore some fun facts and hidden stories about this iconic band.

1. The Band’s Original Name Wasn’t Muse

Before they became the Muse we know today, the band went through several different names, including "Rocket Baby Dolls." The name change came after they won a battle of the bands contest by smashing their instruments in true rock star fashion. They decided to take their music more seriously and adopted the name "Muse," which, according to Bellamy, was chosen because it was short, looked good on posters, and had a spiritual connotation.

2. Matt Bellamy’s Guitar Obsession

Matt Bellamy isn’t just the lead singer and guitarist of Muse—he's also a serious gearhead. Bellamy has a deep love for technology and custom guitars. In fact, he owns over 20 custom-built guitars, many of which are fitted with built-in effects like Kaoss Pads, MIDI controllers, and other gadgets that allow him to manipulate sound in real time during performances. His obsession with crafting the perfect sound extends beyond his instruments to his deep interest in musical technology, which has shaped much of Muse’s futuristic sound.

3. A Near-Miss with James Bond

Muse once came tantalizingly close to being part of one of the world’s biggest film franchises: James Bond. The band submitted their song Supremacy to be considered as the theme for the 2012 Bond film Skyfall. While the producers ultimately chose Adele’s theme song, Bellamy has said that Supremacy had all the right ingredients to be a Bond track, with its dramatic orchestration and powerful vocals. Even though they missed out, many fans still regard Supremacy as the "unofficial" Bond theme of the era.

4. Their Live Shows Break Records

Muse is renowned for their extravagant and technologically advanced live performances. In fact, they hold the world record for the most guitars smashed on a tour—a total of 140 guitars during their 2004 Absolution tour. The band’s dedication to putting on visually and sonically thrilling shows has become their trademark, with elaborate light displays, pyrotechnics, and giant moving stages. Their Drones tour even featured real drones flying above the audience!

5. Chris Wolstenholme’s Unexpected Role in "Save Me"

Bassist Chris Wolstenholme typically stays out of the spotlight in terms of vocals, but on the band’s sixth album, The 2nd Law, he stepped up and sang lead on two songs: “Save Me” and “Liquid State.” These songs were particularly personal to him, as they were written during a difficult time in his life when he was battling alcoholism. The lyrics in Save Me reflect his journey toward recovery, making the song one of the band’s most emotionally raw and meaningful tracks.

6. Matt Bellamy's Classical Influence

While Muse’s sound is often described as futuristic and rock-driven, Matt Bellamy is heavily influenced by classical music. One of his main inspirations is the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, whose influence can be heard in Bellamy’s piano compositions. You can find traces of classical melodies and orchestral elements throughout Muse’s work, from the haunting piano in Butterflies & Hurricanes to the operatic grandeur of Exogenesis: Symphony.

7. The Origin of "Knights of Cydonia"

One of Muse’s most epic songs, "Knights of Cydonia", was inspired by a variety of sources. The song’s blend of sci-fi, Western, and operatic rock elements makes it one of the band’s most iconic tracks. Interestingly, the name "Cydonia" refers to a region on Mars that’s famous for a face-like formation on its surface. Bellamy has a long-standing interest in space, conspiracy theories, and extraterrestrial life, and those themes regularly crop up in Muse’s music. The song’s blend of futuristic space references and Wild West aesthetics creates an epic, genre-bending anthem that still rocks stadiums worldwide.

8. Their Music Was Sent Into Space

Speaking of space, Muse has the unique distinction of being one of the few bands to have their music played in outer space. In 2012, NASA astronaut Chris Hadfield selected Muse’s music as part of his playlist while aboard the International Space Station. Muse's fascination with space exploration is no secret, and their albums often contain themes of cosmic exploration, making them the perfect soundtrack for floating above Earth.

9. Bellamy’s UFO Sighting

Matt Bellamy has often spoken about his fascination with UFOs and conspiracy theories. In 2015, he revealed that he’d had a UFO sighting when he was a teenager. According to Bellamy, he saw strange lights in the sky that couldn’t be explained by aircraft or anything natural. This experience, along with his interest in government cover-ups and alien life, has been a source of inspiration for many Muse songs, including The 2nd Law and Absolution.

10. A Tribute to Howard’s Late Father

Dominic Howard, Muse’s drummer, faced a devastating loss in 2004 when his father, Bill Howard, passed away just after the band’s performance at the Glastonbury Festival. It was one of the most emotional and challenging moments in Howard’s life, but Muse has often cited this as one of their most significant and powerful performances. The band dedicated the show to Howard’s father, and the experience further solidified their bond as bandmates and friends.

Bonus Fact: Their Unique Charity Efforts

Muse has always been vocal about causes they believe in, and they’ve put their money where their mouth is. Over the years, they’ve supported numerous charitable efforts, including environmental causes, disaster relief, and human rights campaigns. They’re also known for auctioning off signed memorabilia and even the chance to meet the band, with proceeds going to important causes.

From UFO sightings to near-Bond themes and record-breaking tours, Muse is a band full of surprises and stories that continue to captivate their audience. Their fusion of rock, electronic, and classical music, combined with their love for epic live shows, has made them one of the most groundbreaking bands of the modern era. As they continue to push boundaries, there's no telling what other fascinating stories and achievements will come next!

One of Muse's most meaningful and resonant song lines comes from their track "Starlight":

"Our hopes and expectations, black holes and revelations."

This line captures the duality of hope and despair, touching on the tension between longing for something greater and the reality of uncertainty or disappointment. It reflects the overarching themes in Muse's music, which often explores the human condition, existential questions, and the struggles between light and darkness. This lyric, in particular, has connected deeply with fans due to its poetic expression of both optimism and cosmic disillusionment.

Global Artist Service