The High Green, England based The Arctic Monkeys consist of Alex Turner-lead vocals, guitar; Jamie Cook-guitar; Nick O’Malley-bass guitar, backing vocals; Matt Helders-drums, backing vocal. They are touring behind the August 2009 release of “Humbug” on Domino Records.

I was very surprised upon walking up to HOB and finding this gig sold out with all the events going on in the not-to-distant area. The crowd proved to be predominantly the expected 15-25 Generation Text age group but more of the international variety. Many a euronicity stereotype represented included the soccer jersey dawning crews peppering the audience as well as a wide variety of nationalities represented. This bands internet based appeal obviously transcends many barriers.

The Arctic Monkeys were thrust into the lime light after their Grammy nominated debut album “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am Not” rose the charts faster the Usain Bolt fueled by the hit single “I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor”. The album became the fastest selling album in UK history putting AM amidst very fine company indeed.  They have ridden this success all over the world and hope to make the same type of impact here in the USA.

HMR covered Kings of Leon almost a year ago and I find many similarities between AM and Kings of Leon not only in look and sound but in the business model. The only difference is the fact that KOL are American and in my opinion the groundbreaker. I find it interesting that it appears that AM is riding the wave sparked by KOL beginning in AM’s own country and now trying to make it in America after letting KOL clear the way here just like in the UK. We shall see what happens.

These youngsters opened to the sold out packed house with “Crying Lightly”. The sound was fine for the riff-driven group who seem to practice simplicity in every aspect except the titles to their albums and songs. On “This House is a Circus” the tour addition of The Last Shadow Puppet’s keyboardist John Ashton really proved it was paying off.
Ashton rotated between keys and guitar throughout the night. A must to capture the album sound which relies heavily on dynamic range compression – a technique that mimics a full, punchy sound that many modern bands utilize but that is often criticized by purist. I will say that Alex Turner gets his money worth out of his Ovation solid body electric. A curious choice for this genre but it seems to work.

The group continued as AT lost the guitar to focus on his vocal for The Kinks inspired “Potion Approaching” following up with “Still Take You Home” and “Pretty Visitors”. The lighting was simple but effective dominated by strobes in anything that resembled a solo or rock out. At this point, these type bands begin to wear on me as one dimensional and mundane. They attempted to break up the monotony with the ITunes bonus track off of the new album “Sketchhead” before giving the crowd what they came for, the triumphant hit “I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor” and new fan favorite “Florescent Adolescent”. I will admit these are catchy tunes but ones merely made for the moment in the hip-hop tradition of today. The group was called back to the stage for a two song encore including the Nick Cave cover “Red Right Hand” and “When the Sun Goes Down”.

AM & KOL are the hot thing right now with the young crowd no doubt for what I think are fairly obvious reasons. You have groups of young good-looking bad boys who appear to be confidently talented. Time will only tell what becomes of this genre with its catchy riffs and dance ability. I do not see any timeless universality there – music for the moment, nothing more. I hope these guys the best with all the trials and tribulations that lie ahead. If they stay true to the music they might have a chance. I will see you out supporting live music.