6 Music - Music News

Currently in the midst of a UK arena tour, drummer Matt Helders and bassist Nick O’Malley say they are inspired to get back into the studio.

Arctic Monkeys worked on Humbug in the desert with Josh Homme, frontman of Queens of the Stone Age, and said it has made them love recording.

"That got me more into doing studio stuff than before, because with this album it was more of a studio experience," said Helders to 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq. "The first record we done quick, and it was just like, ‘get in and press record’ sort of thing, but this one we were thinking about sounds more and trying loads of stuff, so it got me into that sort of stuff more.

"We’re already talking about when we can record again, but I still enjoy being on tour as well."

Ahead of the band’s second show at Wembley Arena last night (18 Nov) Helders said he reckons Humbug is the best thing they have made yet.

"This record seems like one I could still listen to all the way through without cringing at any bits, but I don’t know if that’s still because it’s quite new to us or because it’s the one that we got most right so far.

"Even when I play certain ones I can picture exactly where we were when we recorded it, like with certain songs I can remember exactly what I were wearing and what I were lookin’ at in the studio. It’s weird," he explained.

"A lot of people who were really good in the day, dress a bit funny now, which is probably normal for an older gent to do but he’s kept that up, he's still cool."

Matt Helders on Nick Cave

But while they may be thinking about it, don’t hold your breath for the speedy release of a fourth album.

Helders admitted it is important to take some time out: "It’s good to have that time though to work stuff out then at least you can start doing the quality control before and actually record what you think is decent, rather than recording hundreds of songs to then find out you only like 10 of them."

The bandmates took Lamacq through some of the tracks that inspired Humbug, including Nick Cave’s Red Right Hand, If You Have Ghosts by Rocky Erickson, Creedence Cleerwater Revival’s Suzie Q and Wizard by Black Sabbath.

They were keen to sing the praises of Nick Cave, especially for his snappy dressing.

"He’s kept it up, he hasn’t lost it," said Helders. "A lot of people who were really good in the day, dress a bit funny now, which is probably normal for an older gent to do but he’s kept that up, he’s still cool."

With O’Malley adding: "Isn’t he 50 now or something? He’s still putting people in their teens to shame, he’s still doing flying kicks and looks great."

You can listen again to that interview on the BBC iPlayer for the next seven days - it was aired from 6pm GMT last night (18 Nov).