The band has loads of different awards, which would you say you are most proud of and why?

They are all nice…but the ones voted for by the public have the greater resonance.

What do you think is the best thing about the band and why?

Their honesty and their desire to be musicians and not celebrities.

What are your plans for the future with them?

For them to be happy in whatever they decide to do…we don’t make long term plans….kind of leave that to fate.

Can you tell me a bit about band managing?

It involves totally understanding the people you manage and making sure they are well represented and happy. A successful life is a happy one and the chances of fulfilment depend on your ability to recognise yourself and what makes you happy. I try desperately hard to understand mine and theirs and I don’t let older peoples fear factors get anywhere close…that’s the beginning of the end……. Obviously I have been in the music game for a fair old time and know some of the nooks and crannies, which help. For me;-you needww to have talent, be honourable and have great work ethic and be true…you can smell it a mile off when a band is in it for fame etc.

Eleanor Gill
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Wonder what arctic monkeys are up to at the moment? Want to know what it’s like to manage them? Elle Gill talks to the rctic’s manager Geoff Barradale, about fake fame, the future and “fluorescent adolescent”.

Have you always been a band manager or are Arctic Monkeys your first band?

I was a singer and had 3 bands in 17 yrs, I dabbled a bit in management …but yes AM are the 1st band I have managed.

When did you first meet and why did you decide to take them on?

I met them in Aug 03…..and we took each other on, but they were just so exciting and raw and had a great work ethic.

They became successful straight away with two singles reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart, and their first album was the fastest selling debut album in debut history. How much did you all have to put in before achieving this?

We toured up and down the Northern corridors of UK in my battered Saab, and played to a handful, the word of mouth spread via the internet and the gigs got fuller and quickly there after...Rammed. The guys also write quickly so we recorded their best songs with Alan Smyth at 2Fly Studios, we never did anything else. This was a 2year process which we dovetailed around their A Levels and apprenticeships.		 What do you think are the most important things they write about and why?

Everything they write about is important….because its expression and they are so honest with it.

How do you think Glastonbury went for them?

It was a great night, awesome and we were all a bit emotional afterwards……cuddles and beers etc.

Recently they have been getting less radio play because of bad language used in their songs. Does this bother them and why?

That is not true ….Fluorescent is the most played song on the radio we have had. They don’t write songs to get on (the radio or otherwise)Let the band and the songs breathe and keep wankers who don’t know what it is as far way from them as poss...this includes many who work in the music business.

What do you think is the main difference between Favourite Worst Nightmare and Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not?

A year and a bit of life’s experiences, and that’s a lot of time when you’re 19. A new bass player and a year of playing lots of gigs. Both LP’s perfectly represent them as they were when they were recorded, that moment in time captured in typical AM fashion. I’m sure we lost a few trendsetter fans and gained new fans. The records speak for themselves.