The Courier Mail Article - Musing on international success

[sebby aka pup]

Hey,

Small article with an interview with Chris in Brisbane's Courier Mail this morning.

 

 

 

 

BRITISH band Muse had never heard of the brunette, slightly shy author, who met them backstage in Phoenix, Arizona.

She proclaimed to be a huge fan, and had written a book to their music, which was about to be published. If it was ever turned into a film, she told them, she'd love to include them on the soundtrack.

That was about seven years ago, before Twilight author Stephenie Meyer had hit it big.

``We had no idea who she was or what her books and the film were about to do,'' remembers Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme.

 

But the band, who have long been a success in the UK, Europe and Australia, have Ms Meyer to thank for expanding their US audience.

Their songs appear on all three film soundtracks. While they used to trawl the country playing small clubs, this year they returned to play full-size arena venues.

 

It's an association Chris is happy about, contrary to some media reports.

``There was a bit of press where I supposedly was slagging (Twilight) off, saying I hated being on it and it was the biggest load of bollocks I ever heard. I said I think it was a good thing for the band.

``It was quite upsetting at the time, because obviously we know Stephenie Meyer. It all came out very, very wrong and I felt absolutely awful about it.''

The band recently got official recognition in the US receiving their first American Music Award.

And Wolstenholme also had some good news of a more personal variety. His wife recently gave birth to their fifth child.

``Little Buster, he was born just a month ago,'' says the proud dad.

The band had to cancel a few shows, but are back on the road in Australia, kicking off their tour in Brisbane tonight.

 

Being in a band and having five kids can't be an easy thing to manage, but Chris, 33, has it sorted.

``To be quite honest, once you've gone past three, it doesn't really make much difference every one you add really,'' he says.

``I love having a big family. I always wanted to have a big family.''

The clan live in Dublin, where Chris recently moved from the band's old stomping ground of Devon. While all three band members lived in different countries for a while, there are plans afoot for the three to return to London.

``I think it will be the first time in 12 years all three of us will live in the same place, which will be great for making the album.''

Chris and his bandmates Matt Bellamy (singer-guitarist) and Dominic Howard (drums) have known each other since they were 15. There are a few skeletons in the photographic cupboard especially of the young Bellamy.

``He looked quite weird when I first met him,'' says Chris. ``He used to wear track suits and have this flat-top haircut. Matt was leaning more towards the sports group. He was into his hip-hop. And then he met Dom, and asked if he could join his band. I think he sort of wanted to pick up a guitar and join a cool band to meet all the cool girls. So, you know, in six months he had long hair and was wearing jeans with holes in and looked like the rest of us.''

Sally Browne

Muse play Brisbane Entertainment Centre tonight and tomorrow night, Ticketek 132 849

 

 

link: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/musing-on-international-success/story-fn6cc53j-1225965726924

[CarrieB]

Thanks for posting.

 

Interesting to hear Chris' take on the Twilight comment at it caused a bit of a ruckus at the time.

 

Sounds like they are still considering London.

[Furygirl]

 

"He looked quite weird when I first met him,'' says Chris. "He used to wear track suits and have this flat-top haircut. Matt was leaning more towards the sports group. He was into his hip-hop."

[laurenn1]

Poor Chris being misunderstood on the Twilight thing. Can imagine it must have been a pretty difficult situation.

[deanob17]

So before Twilight, Muse only played small clubs??

 

Courier Fail, you've done it again...

[laurenn1]

So before Twilight, Muse only played small clubs??

 

Courier Fail, you've done it again...

 

Yeah, I could be wrong but didn't they do MSG before Twilight?

[Tofu]

Yeah, poor Chris, made out to be the bad guy (or hero? )

 

Yeah, I could be wrong but didn't they do MSG before Twilight?

Yeah. And most of my friends were there, too. I wasn't. :'( I'm still bitter about it.

 

anyway:

``He looked quite weird when I first met him,'' says Chris. ``He used to wear track suits and have this flat-top haircut. Matt was leaning more towards the sports group. He was into his hip-hop. And then he met Dom, and asked if he could join his band. I think he sort of wanted to pick up a guitar and join a cool band to meet all the cool girls. So, you know, in six months he had long hair and was wearing jeans with holes in and looked like the rest of us.''

lmao!!

[Morinphen]

He used to wear track suits and have this flat-top haircut. Matt was leaning more towards the sports group. He was into his hip-hop

 

"Well Im Matt Bellamy and Chris is now a friend of me!"

[JeGarr]

He used to wear track suits and have this flat-top haircut. Matt was leaning more towards the sports group. He was into his hip-hop. And then he met Dom, and asked if he could join his band. I think he sort of wanted to pick up a guitar and join a cool band to meet all the cool girls.

 

I can't imagine Matt in a 'Sports Group.'

[ayla]

Chris isn't 33.

[deborafraga]

``He looked quite weird when I first met him,'' says Chris. ``He used to wear track suits and have this flat-top haircut. Matt was leaning more towards the sports group. He was into his hip-hop. And then he met Dom, and asked if he could join his band. I think he sort of wanted to pick up a guitar and join a cool band to meet all the cool girls. So, you know, in six months he had long hair and was wearing jeans with holes in and looked like the rest of us.''

:LOL:

 

Thanks for posting!

[Morgan.]

Lol at the Matt part:LOL:

[Beibi]

Yeah, poor Chris, made out to be the bad guy (or hero? )

 

I remember a lot of people saying he was the man because he was the only one able to say the truth...

[eyduh]

Poor Chris, he thought he had said something wrong.

 

And he's not 33 goddammit! I laughed here:

 

``To be quite honest, once you've gone past three, it doesn't really make much difference every one you add really,''

 

:LOL:

[m0hawk]

If the kid's name is actually Buster Wolstenholme, the name alone will grant him infinite sex.

[nohopeinfear]

I can't imagine Matt in a 'Sports Group.'

 

 

[Killer Rabbit]

 

I like that Chris has been doing a slightly increased number of interviews recently, even if some of his wise words occasionally get misinterpreted.

[mrskopite]

Poor Chris, he thought he had said something wrong.

 

And he's not 33 goddammit! I laughed here:

 

Quote:

``To be quite honest, once you've gone past three, it doesn't really make much difference every one you add really,''

 

 

:LOL:

 

I wonder if his wife has the same attitude

[pokemew]

I wonder if his wife has the same attitude

 

[JessicaSarahS]

I wonder if his wife has the same attitude

 

[Killer Rabbit]

I wonder if his wife has the same attitude

 

[Tofu]

I wonder if his wife has the same attitude

 

 

 

 

[pokemew]

 

[trinity3music]

So before Twilight, Muse only played small clubs??

 

Courier Fail, you've done it again...

 

Hmmm....in 2004 they played two nights at the Wiltern and KROQ's almost acoustic Christmas. And then came back through for Coachella 2005. And then in 2006 it was the Greek. But then, Los Angeles warmed up to them sooner than most places.

 

However, they did start out with vague dates in Hollywood and playing the Santa Monica Pier in 2001 while playing huge gigs in Europe. Wow. They were determined.

[laurenn1]

 

I love that you can tell that his shoes are brand new. Like a family bike outing was suggested so he just rushed off to the shops to buy some suitable joggers.

 

Fish out of water...