Formed in 1994, Muse -- consisting of members Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Chris Wolstenholme (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Dominic Howard (drums) -- hail from the English countryside of Teignmouth, Devon. The trio joined forces after playing in separate bands during their time at Teignmouth Community College. Originally named Rocket Baby Dolls, the band decided to pursue music full-time and change their name to Muse after they had won a Battle of the Bands in 1994.
After moving out of Teignmouth, Muse began to play shows supporting Skunk Anaise. On May 11, 1998, the band released their debut EP, MUSE EP, produced by Paul Reeve. Soon after, they released their second EP, Muscle Museum EP, on January 11, 1999. The EP gained traction and ultimately earned the trio’s spot on the Emerging Artist stage at Woodstock in 1999. The band signed onto Maverick Records and released their debut record, Showbiz, later that year.
Their second record, Origin of Symmetry (2001), featured a cover of “Feeling Good,” and received high praise as one of the greatest cover versions of its time. The record was also named one of the greatest rock albums by multiple music publications. After refusing to re-record the successful album in order to make it more “radio palatable,” the band left Maverick Records and joined Warner Records.
The outfit went on their international tour after the release of their third record Absolution in 2003. The record debuted at No. 1 in the UK and is remembered most for its single “Time Is Running Out.” The band began making television appearances on BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend and in 2006, they released their fourth album, Black Holes and Revelations, which was followed by another international tour.
Despite facing challenges involving alcoholism, the three band members stuck together and later put out The Resistance in the latter half of 2009. The Resistance was Muse’s first self-produced album and quickly became their third No. 1 album in the UK. It also won them a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. “The Resistance Tour” included shows in their hometown of Teignmouth, along with shows at Austin City Limits and Coachella.
Their sixth studio album, The 2nd Law (2012), was followed by a European arena tour. The record earned a nomination for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards, and the trio performed their album’s single “Survival” at the London 2012 Summer Olympics’ closing ceremony. Their seventh studio album, Drones (2015), leaned more on their original sound, and won another Grammy for Best Rock Album.
After their 2017 North American tour, and making appearances at 2018’s BlizzCon and Rock In Rio Festival, Muse released their eighth studio album, Simulation Theory in November 2018.
Most recently, the trio released the singles “Won’t Stand Down,” and “Compliance” in early 2022 ahead of their upcoming record, Will of the People, which is set to be released in August of 2022.
