Matt Helders

Matthew Helders
Background information
Birth name	Matthew J. Helders
Genres	Indie rock, post-punk revival, psychedelic rock, garage rock
Occupation	Musician
Instrument(s)	Drums, Backing Vocals
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Domino

Matthew Helders (born 7 May 1986), is the drummer for English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. He is the most comprehensive backing vocalist in the group, appearing on several tracks, including the majority of 'Humbug'. He also features as main vocals on D is for Dangerous, You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Looking Straight At Me, Brick By Brick and I.D.S.T (B-Side to Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair. He is seen as the band's "quietly amiable diplomat".

Role as drummer

Helders has said that he ended up playing drums as "that was the only thing left. When we started the band none of us played anything. We just put it together. They all had guitars and I bought a drum kit after a bit". However, Helders has stated the influence rap music has had on the band, saying "We were rap fans at school more than now...it still influences us in some ways, like for me, it's the drummin'. The groove element, like foon-keh music". In addition, Helders cites seeing Queens of the Stone Age as the biggest influence on his development as a drummer, saying "the one thing that changed me most was seeing Queens of the Stone Age live at a festival last year...as soon as they came off I was like 'Fuck – I need to start hitting harder'." Helders also explained the band's insistence on singing in their native Sheffield accent, saying, "when you talk between the songs at a gig and you're speakin' English in our normal accent, it seems a bit strange when you burst into song like you're from California or something...it looks a bit daft".

In a similar fashion to other members of the band, Helders has remained true to his hometown roots, suggesting that seeing places all over the world makes him more appreciative of Sheffield, which still provides the basis for the band's lyrics. "And all around you, there's still plenty of things to write about. Touring lets you see a lot of places that you realise you wouldn't want to live in...and when you come home, it's pretty easy to slip into your old ways, to all the places you've always gone." Helders also points out that despite the fame of the band, he can still avoid being mobbed in the street – "If we all go out together at night clubbing, it's difficult, but alone you don't get recognised much." Although he continued to live at home with his parents during the band's early career, Helders has followed Cook in moving into his own house, but has nonetheless stayed in the Sheffield area, saying "we still all live in the same place we grew up. It's probably just how we were brought up. We're never going to move away to London."

Outside Arctic Monkeys

Helders remixed “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S (We Rule The World)”, the Hives's fourth single from "The Black and White Album", and "Skin Divers", Duran Duran's second single from "Red Carpet Massacre". He is rumoured to be drumming on the Prodigy's new album. He recently drummed with We Are Scientists at some of their recent UK shows as well as remixing their second single "Chick Lit" as a b-side for the vinyl release. He is featured on Toddla T's new album "Skanky Skanky". He also remixed "Again & Again" for Roots Manuva, which gained airplay from Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1.

In August 2008, it was announced that Helders would compile the latest release in the LateNightTales DJ mix CD series, that was released on 27 October 2008. The set entitled Late Night Tales: Matt Helders included a spoken work track performed and written by bandmate Alex Turner.

On 12 June 2010 Helders (using the stage name Rufus Black) appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross drumming for Diddy's Dirty Money performance of the single Hello, Good Morning.

Helders is one of 3 creators of the Tramlines Festival in Sheffield.

On December 10, 2010, he released a single with super-group "The Bottletop Band" called "The Fall of Rome" The band includes the likes of Carl Barât from The Libertines, Andy Nicholson (ex band-mate from Arctic Monkeys), Babyshambles' Drew McConnell and Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals]

On the 1st January 2012 Helders married long time girlfriend Lydia Coleman. She is now pregnant with his first child, expected in June.

Solo discography

Albums

• 2008: Late Night Tales: Matt Helders

Singles

• 2008: "Dreamer" (featuring Nesreen Shah)

As featured performer

• 2008: Mongrel – "Barcode" (featuring Pariz 1, Tor Cesay, Mpho, Saul Williams and Matt Helders)
• 2008: Mongrel – "The Menace" (featuring Lowkey and Matt Helders)
• 2009: Toddla T – "Boom Dj From The Steel City"
• 2009: Toddla T – "Better"

Remixes

• 2008: The Hives – "We Rule The World (T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.)"
• 2008: We Are Scientists – "Chick Lit"
• 2008: Roots Manuva – "Again & Again"
• 2008: Duran Duran – "Skin Divers"
• 2009: Yo Majesty – "Club Action"
• 2011: Wet Nuns – "Don't Wanna See Your Face"

Clothing line

Helders has released his own clothing line, consisting of a jacket, a zip hood and three t-shirts. The garments went on sale in May 2007 with sales accompanied by a CD featuring an Arctic Monkeys remix by Matt himself and Supreme Being designer Skuff. One pound from each sale will go to the Arthur Rank Hospice.

Acting

Matt also acted in four videoclips from Arctic Monkeys: When The Sun Goes Down (Scummy Man), Leave Before The Lights Come On, Suck It And See and Evil Twin.

Equipment

RCI with Premier Hardware (LUGS): Solid White and Clear Spiral 24"x18" Bass Drum 16"x16" Floor Tom 13"x8" Rack Tom Ludwig Vistalight 14"x4.5" Snare

Pearl Drums 2000 Series: X2 Snare Stand (one for Tom and one for snare)

Drum Workshop 9000 Hardware: Kick drum pedal- 9500 Hi Hat stand X2 9710 Straight Cymbal Stand

Evans Drumheads: Snare Evans EC Coated, EC2 Clear Toms, EMAD2 Kick Drum

Zildjian: 14" Avedis Mastersound Hi-Hats 18" A series Fast Crash 20" A Series Crash Ride 1

Matt recorded Arctic Monkeys' album 'Humbug' on a 1971 Ludwig with a black bowling ball wrap. The kit features a 22x14 Kick, 13x9 rack, 16x16 floor and a Ludwig 402 snare.

During the 2009 humbug tour Helders' bass drum had the words "Agile Beast" displayed on it.

Sticks: Vater 3a Fatback