Why the Arctic Monkeys may be more important than The Beatles.

One thing that is proving different with current bands attempting to get signed compared with previous generations is the dotcom revolution. I fear I'm stating the obvious when I say music is more accessible through many more mediums than ever before. In a way parallels can be drawn between The Beatles and the Arctic Monkeys and how they changed music history. The Beatles will live a greater musical legacy than the Monkeys, but both re-shaped the status quo. The Beatles redefined how bands behaved and conducted themselves. They reshaped how bands could be perceived. It set the path for every single band today. Pre-Beatles, bands were not seen as artists or pioneers but entertainers. This was their job. They performed. They recorded what the record company deemed popular. I'm not undermining The Beatles musical talent in any way, but they were in the right place at the right time to gain the exposure they did. Four plucky lads from Liverpool, looking to make a name for themselves. The Beatles brought some sex, an attitude and a confidence that, aside from Elvis, had not been seen my musicians previously, certainly not in Britain. Beatlemania grew and the world changed forever. Now music is probably the most widespread and enjoyed form of expression and art in the world.

The Arctic's followed suit. Four cocky lads from Sheffield, writing songs about saturday night fights with bouncers, the Sheffield gig circuit and getting too drunk to stand up. Mix in some funky bass lines, a Smiths-esque lyrical frontman and a cult following and the Arctic Monkeys had the press-coverage that signed bands had been after for years. All this was achieved unsigned, simply by posting links on myspace and handing out free CDs, as word of mouth spread popularity increased. It was the dawn of music being easily accessible via electronic mass communication. When they did finally record and release "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" it outsold "Definitely Maybe" and became the fastest selling British debut album of all time.

Which is why the music industry has changed forever, and why the Arctic Monkeys may have done more for music than any other band in history. It's a bold statement, and I'm not even sure if I agree with it. But the fact is they represent a shift in how bands can sell records without being marketed endlessly or promotional stunts. Independent record labels have the ability to reach audiences never possible before and bands music can be distributed at the click of the button. From teenage garages or bedrooms in Camden and California, songs can be posted and then downloaded anywhere, the ability to promote music independently is easier than ever, this is a revolutionary event in the history of recorded music. Of course this was not all because of four lads from Sheffield, however they acted as the pioneers and catalysts, and for that reason, may have done more for music than The Beatles. It's a controversial idea. 70% of bands are still controlled by the big four record companies, but maybe, hopefully, this figure will start to reduce as the internet age of music continues.

On the subject of which, check out BlankTV's Channel on YouTube and this song from None More Black, signed to Fat Wreck Chords.