Citing everyone from Rage Against The Machine to Tom Waits to Sergei Rachmaninov as influences Muse comprise childhood friends Chris Wolstenholme, Dominic Howard and eccentric, opinionated singer Matt Bellamy. After two low-key releases in 1998 the trio were signed by five different record labels worldwide, including Madonna’s Maverick Records. Their debut album Showbiz was released to critical acclaim and the band spent the following eighteen months on tour, first as guests to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters then filling the very same arenas themselves as headliners. 2001’s Origin Of Symmetry album spawned Top 10 hits such as ‘Plug-In Baby’ and a unique version of Nina Simone’s classic, ‘Feeling Good’.

The grandiose ambitions coupled with the maestro-like ability and unique voice of frontman Matt Bellamy earmarked them out as a remarkable band from their very beginnings. Recent single ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ was the most successful download-only single ever released – an achievement that epitomises Muse’s thoroughly modern approach. By the release of million-selling third album Absolution in September 2003, Muse were on the verge of becoming one of the biggest bands of the new century, finding favour among fans of indie, punk, metal, classic rock and, remarkably, dance music (their music has been remixed by some of the genre’s biggest name).

Muse have graced the covers all the major music magazines and headlined major music festivals around the world (Glastonbury, Woodstock, Fuji, Big Day Out). Countless awards for their frenzied live spectacles have also reinforced the sense that here is a band of the modern era aligned with such acts as Led Zeppelin, Depeche Mode and, more recently, Radiohead, and equally as capable of filling stadiums the world over.

The Muse story so far is one of excess and ability, technological paranoia and magic mushrooms, sci-fi fantasies, ouija boards and pushing musical boundaries. Muse: Inside The Muscle Muse tells that full story right from their inception as listless teenagers up to an eyewitness account of their sold UK arena tour of December 2003. It includes exclusive interviews with all three bands members done by the author between 1999 and 2003, plus insight from the manger that discovered them, industry insiders and early Muse supporters.

In February 2004 Muse celebrated their ten-year anniversary at the top – a position they show no signs of relinquishing any time soon.

From the Publisher
- Muse’s recently-released third album, Absolution, went straight to Number 1 in the charts.
- Reviews for that album were ecstatic – for example, The Big Issue drooled, "Muse are truly as epic as they always believed. Absolution is the album to establish Muse as one of the greatest bands of our generation."
- Their recent UK tour saw them graduate to the arena circuit, taking in such huge venues as Wembley Arena, Manchester Evening News Arena, Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff and the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
- Further album dates will follow in 2004, plus highly anticipated festival appearances throughout the UK and Europe (including headlining T In The Park) and Australia’s Big Day Out festival. Their world tour continues into 2005.
- Muse are perfectly poised to become the next Radiohead - not only massive in their native UK but also a band with a dedicated fanbase spread across most countries in the world. They have as many foreign language websites dedicated to them as any other current rock band (Hebrew, Russian, Japanese, Icelandic etc), their fans notoriously dedicated.
- They are a part of a tradition of British rock eccentric exports that include Pink
Floyd, Queen, Led Zeppelin etc
- Muse are widely expected to feature heavily in the award listings for 2003/4, including the Brits.
- In February 2004 Muse celebrate their ten year anniversary as a band.
- Muse: Inside The Muscle Museum includes exclusive new interviews with all three band members, manager and early supporters, plus the authors eye witness accounts.
- Ben Myers is arguably the foremost expert on the band, having written about them from their beginnings, followed them on tour and championed them from the outset.

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