BDO for Arctics

Band preview new tracks at festival Down Under

20 January 2009 - The Arctic Monkeys have broken their gig silence by playing the Big Day Out festival in Australia and New Zealand.

The band haven't played any major shows since their Manchester Apollo gig in December 2007 which was released on DVD last year. The four-piece gave fans a preview of the new Josh Homme produced tracks from album number 3 which is due out in the summer.

Frontman Alex Turner told Australia's Triple J network that although last year was taken up by various side projects for both of them, it was pretty chilled out:

"It was a relaxed year, a workload that's just enjoyable." Drummer Matt Helders chimed in: "As did I, compared to the year we had before. A lot more time at home... the feet were up a lot more than we had been used too." 

However, they aren't planning on taking this year easy as Matt continued: "I am ready to work now... it's a bit like a fireman, five days on - five days off, but on a year basis. And yes it is as dangerous and it can be as hot."

The new album is set for release this year, Alex is feeling confident about it: "We're going to have us new album with you by the summer I think... 78% is done, I have been working in fractions actually - two thirds. (I'm) thrilled with it."

Fans at the Big Day Out shows have been treated to new songs, but the band are keeping the old favourites in the set as Alex explains: "We have been at our side shows, we did four new tunes. Then we've only got an hour at Big Day Out so we thought two was a reasonable number."

He went on to say the band have no qualms about playing the new material six months ahead of release: "Otherwise it seems like you are going backwards, almost, if you didn’t at least do something new..."

"There's a certain element of dust in the sound of it..." - Alex Turner on the new record

As previously reported the band have collaborated with Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age on the new album, recording at his Rancho De La Luna studio in the Joshua Tree desert. Alex: "It's been great fun. We went out to the desert for a little bit, we did two sessions with Josh, we had a great time."

Despite it's description, the studio isn't in the middle of nowhere as Alex explains: "There's a few other buildings around there but it is certainly cut off. The guy who owns it is called Dave Catching who plays guitar in the Eagles of Death Metal and it's his house. He was a great host."

And did any of the vibe of the desert filter into the new material? Possibly, according to Alex: "It's quite an inspiring place, there's a certain element of dust in the sound of it..."


Ruth Barnes