A decade of the Arctic Monkeys

Last week marked the 10th anniversary of the Arctic Monkeys' first gig at the Grapes in Sheffield (pictured above). They got paid a measly £27 and mostly played cover versions. One notable exception included a scrappy proto-punk number called, magnificently, Ravey Ravey Ravey Club.

Arctic Monkeys - Ravey Ravey Ravey Club

You know the rest: First single goes straight to number one; First album is the fastest-selling debut in history; Band increasingly surly in interviews; Band boycott the Brits; Dressing up as characters from The Wizard Of Oz; Teaming up with Queens of the Stone Age; Going bowling with P Diddy; Playing at the Olympics Opening Ceremony; and, most importantly, getting covered by the Sugababes.

Next Friday, they'll headline the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury and tradition demands a new single so there's a lull in the set where everyone can go and get a beer. The thing is, the new single is too good to miss... It's out today, it's called Do I Wanna Know? and it comes with an unusual animated video with shades of Pink Floyd's The Wall. Approved.

Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know?

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