Lostprophets: Arctic Monkeys 'Didn't Break America, They Bounced Off'

British band Lostprophets have laughed off reports that fellow band, the Arctic Monkeys have cracked America.

The Lostprophets have experienced dramatic success in the US but do not think the Monkeys are capable of doing the same.

The band’s frontman Ian Watkins said, according to GIGWise: "In the UK, the Arctic Monkeys connected with people singing about very introspective things that had to do with this country.

"Then they go to America and do Snl (Saturday Night Live) and everybody there was like, 'Woo, Arctic Monkeys, best band in the world.'

"And there's some guy in the Midwest going, 'Huh?' That guy doesn't give a fuck about social commentary on the streets of Sheffield. They didn't break America, they bounced off".

Comments

[TeenBite]

I agree with kamikaze_74. This is Ultimate Guitar, not Ultimate Bitch.

[SlashNX]

oh what does Lostprophets no. The most conformatising band there is, the only reason Lostprophets have cracked america is because theyve turned themselves into everyother pop-punk-emo band out there! Atleast Arctic Monkeys stuck to their roots!

[nato138]

this is old news, i dont like either band much, but ill have to side with the monkeys on that one. i know more people who like the arctic monkeys as opposed to the lostprophets. this guy seems like a big douch.

[catchtherainbow]

lostprophets are sell outs...they changed their music to cater to kids...**** them...Arctic Monkeys are true brit rock power for now!!!

[EatsP1es]

well, i cant stand the arctic monkeys' sound, I enjoy them even less than lostprophets and thats saying something... but that guy does seem like an ass

[tormentedbyu]

TeenBite wrote:

This is Ultimate Guitar, not Ultimate Bitch.

love it
damn... should be sigged

[tomwm1]

Lostprophets were good but theyve gone weird.
Ian Whatkins looks like an emo.
They should be called the shitprophets and IW should be Ian Wankins.

And Lp write stuff about shoes and roofs and screaming im sure people would prefer stuff about sheffield then that crap

[lyingfromyou118]

Would anyone really say that Lostprophets have "broken" America either? It's not like they're huge, and it seems as if Arctic Monkeys have a more underground fan base. Also, plenty of their songs don't have to do with things exclusive to Britain. Even if they did, would many people even care? No, listen to the rest of the lyrics blaring through America's speakers now; we're being taught how to spell "bananas" and cry about everyday things.

[lyingfromyou118]

tomwm1 wrote:

Lostprophets were good but theyve gone weird.
Ian Whatkins looks like an emo.
They should be called the shitprophets and IW should be Ian Wankins.

And Lp write stuff about shoes and roofs and screaming im sure people would prefer stuff about sheffield then that crap

Haha, agreed, and maybe if you strapped a "T" on the front of his name, it would suit him a little better.

[Rattlehead.90]

Ha! At least Arctic Monkeys haven't sold out like Lost Prophets have. God damn it, i hate both, but LP more than AM...lol.

LPs frontman is just looking like an arrogant emo. It's all a fad - and when it goes out of fashion, they're ****ed (or they'll change again).

[life_247]

How many copies did fake sound of progress sell when it was released on an indie label??? (i.E. the first time they recorded and released it).

Hmm let me think - not much. and probably about 5 in americia.

New LP single was dire production lack balls

[alliwant]

oh what does Lostprophets no. The most conformatising band there is, the only reason Lostprophets have cracked america is because theyve turned themselves into everyother pop-punk-emo band out there! Atleast Arctic Monkeys stuck to their roots!

Arctic Monkeys have only had one album and an EP...they haven't had time to change...

lostprophets are sell outs...they changed their music to cater to kids...**** them...Arctic Monkeys are true brit rock power for now!!!

They progressed...OMFG! Who cares? Every band wants to be big...

[Bonscott4ever]

I love the arctic monkeys. Take it from the guy who say them on SNL in the Mid-west. I saw them once and i was hooked to it. I've never even hear of this band lostprophets. But they sound gay. And by the way, change isn't always a bad thing for some bands. It's just some change to much to fast.

[mullenmetal]

i don't like lost prophets but i have to defend them they have not sold out sellin out is if u say ur never ever going to do something then do it


and plus artic monkeys can't sell out because they can't get any more poppy "i bet you look good on the dance floor" u'd expect that from a girl group rather than a real band

[pumpkins_rule]

Arctic Monkeys > Lostprophets

[grunge geek al]

i bet arctic monkeys are actually doing better than the lostprophets, lostprophets sadly just think they're american and it does my head in, bands should be supporting each other not trying to get to the top of the music mountain by shoving everyone else off

[PLOP]

^agreed

[SammyRhyno]

I like both bands... i've seen lost prophets live 3 weeks ago, and they were amazing... Arctic Monkeys have great basslines, and Lost prophets have a great style of music. Lost prohets havent really changed because they wanted to break america,they wanted their music to be enjoyed by everyone. And this article is true? whats with those lyrics for the artic monkeys?
"Who's that girl there?
I wonder what went wrong
So that she had to roam the streets
She dunt do major credit cards
I doubt she does receipts
It's all not quite legitimate.

And what a scummy man
Just give him half a chance
I bet he'll rob you if he can
Can see it in his eyes,
Yeah, that he's got a driving ban
Amongst some other offences."

I mean does any of that make much sense in the real world? listening to lost prophets, from both start something and liberation transmission their lyrics explain so many different things in one song.

[element22ag]

SlashNX wrote:

oh what does Lostprophets no. The most conformatising band there is, the only reason Lostprophets have cracked america is because theyve turned themselves into everyother pop-punk-emo band out there! Atleast Arctic Monkeys stuck to their roots!

^Brilliant!


People who are saying that Lostprophets didn't sell out are correct - only because they were run-of-the-mill from the beginning. Sing about the same old stuff, use the same power chords, no real talent going on. Arctic Monkeys clearly have a lot of true fans in America. Last time I heard anything from Lostprophets was almost 2.5 years ago , when their last single sucked. Arctic Monkeys are just an all around better band - better musicianship, lyrics that are worlds better, and a great attitude - I never read anything about AM slagging off a band.

And besides, I can't take that Ian Watkins guy seriously with his "totally mysterious and kewl" emo picture :P hahahahah.

[systemrules]

SlashNX wrote:

oh what does Lostprophets no. The most conformatising band there is, the only reason Lostprophets have cracked america is because theyve turned themselves into everyother pop-punk-emo band out there! Atleast Arctic Monkeys stuck to their roots!

Wait,wait,wait...let me get this straight. Comformatising? Seriously?

[Mr_Jubby_Jubs]

goddammit everyone hates lostprophets
I hated rooftops but i think their new single is better

i dont support lostprophets for taking random jabs at other bands unless arctic monkeys said something about lostprophets first

[TeenBite]

Heh, conformatising. That's one heck of a word.

I agree with whoever said that bands should get along, but there's so much tripe these days it's hard. I don't like either band in the slightest, so I'm grateful for being given another reason to dislike Lostprophets.

To summarise the article: both bands suck in the USA.

[frigginjerk]

man, when ANY british band cracks north america, you don't need to ponder it. either they get famous in america, like The Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, Queen, Oasis, Franz Ferdinand, etc... or you aren't actually that famous in america.

that's one thing i really notice. it seems like everytime a band gets big in britain, we hear three months of hype about them, then they get to america and nobody gives a crap any moreso than if it was an american band.

[Stevo_McQueen]

SammyRhyno wrote:
whats with those lyrics for the artic monkeys?
"Who's that girl there?
I wonder what went wrong
So that she had to roam the streets
She dunt do major credit cards
I doubt she does receipts
It's all not quite legitimate.

And what a scummy man
Just give him half a chance
I bet he'll rob you if he can
Can see it in his eyes,
Yeah, that he's got a driving ban
Amongst some other offences."

I mean does any of that make much sense in the real world?...

Yes, it does.

First part is about a prostitute (hence no credit cards or receipts). The second, imo, refers to any remotely dodgy looking person, the sort you'd prefer not to bump into in a dark alley.

The song as a whole is about how seedier some places can become under the cover of night, 'specially some places like Sheffield.

[bassguru]

arctic monkeys sticking to their roots?!?!? they've only just grown their roots, so don't spraff on about something you know little about. Lostprophets may have changed, but they still own Arctic "spunk" Monkeys. I hope they fall flat on their faces. Can't stand pop, or as its called now, "Brit Rock".

[faqu]

Checked.

[mikr_guitar]

And by the way, change isn't always a bad thing for some bands. It's just some change to much to fast.

that's really smart. i agree. and the arctic monkeys may not have had time to change yet, but that doesn't mean that if/when they do, it will be as drastic as some bands. And for the most part, people can't stand hearing one band bash another band in hopes that they'll get big - up where i live, i hear much more about the arctic monkeys than the lostprophets. i think watkins just has no idea what he's talking about.

[kryzay311]

lostprophets have gone to hell, this dude should shove it. he sounds like the singer from the killers when the bravery got airplay. shut up already.

p.s. bassguru said spraff off. heheh. i wish this damned country had cool expressions like scotland does.

[blakwyte]

umm ... they had this article in here a month ago ...

arctic monkeys have some clever lyrics ... but even less skill than lostprophets, the guitarists touched their first musical instruments 5 years ago

[Jamesinho]

glad to see i'm not the only one that thinks lost prophets only try to make music for the mainstream masses with nothing original, ive went right off them with their new stuff, infact, i only really liked "last summer" shame it was their "last decent song", but then again, unlike the arctic monkeys, at leats ive got time for one of their songs

[Kinanus]

Why did Ian had to go and say that? What does he care. Arctic Monkeys make good music, no matter if it's from the UK, Japon or Africa. And his band makes good music too, even if during Start Something he looked like a regular lead singer and now he went emo 100%, I'm not talking about their music but about his hair cut and style, that sucks.

Maybe he's jealous 'cause LP weren't on SNL.

[GNR4EVER]

At least they didn't sell out when they got there

Lostprophets were cool before the newest album but now they've just compromised their style to fit in with the scene crowd

[theguitarist]

*sigh*

Checked/Deleted.


If you have an opinion please make it in a mature way rather than resort to idiotic flaming.

[Kinanus]

Eventhough it looks like it, LP didn't exactly sell out to fit in with the scene crowd. They just wanted to get a little far from their old very heavy stuff that was compared with Linkin Park. Their first single Rooftops isn't just rambled emo lyrics, Ian wrote the song after watching Garden State, though the chorus has poor lyrics, the song has potential and some parts are similar to their sound in Start Something.

Now, Ian with emo hair and make up, that's selling out. I can totally see him thinking "Emo haircuts is what's rocking now, gotta get one"

[Wilson8]

LOST PROPHETS ARE JUST HATERS... JUST BECUZ MAYBE ARTIC MONKEYS DON'T HAVE THE SAME SUCCESS FRICKIN HATERS... WRITE SOME GOOD MUSIC INSTEAD

[Grimme]

Arctic Monkey's are good, but the man is speaking sense. Their lyrics are very much unique to Britain, so I could see why they'd struggle to break through there.

[timi_hendrix]

Go Ian, I love that quote.

[HurricaneSG]

LOSTPROPHETS ARE THE BEST FOR FUCKS SAKE,LISTEN TO THE ALBUMS AND ULL UNDERSTAND .

[Stuminton]

old ian watkins who can trust what u say. look at your haircut!

case closed

[shotgunjoe]

Oh man... Lostprophets used to be OK when they released Fake Sound Of Progress, but since then... THEY SUCK! They have no right to talk shit about a band who may not be good at their instruments, but can actually write a good song. Lostprophets can't do either. Ian Watkins, you can go make sweet sweet love to a sheep.

[Mr. Kashmir]

last time I checked Lostprophets new album didn't break anymore than the Arctic Monkeys album did.

at least the Arctic Monkeys sold well in their home country

[JorisBlack]

is this worth a news flash?

[RockMusicFan]

Lostprophets rock so whatever.

[stam6]

blakwyte wrote:

umm ... they had this article in here a month ago ...

arctic monkeys have some clever lyrics ... but even less skill than lostprophets, the guitarists touched their first musical instruments 5 years ago

I agree both groups are not great technically but it's irrelevant. There are two types of band:

1. Those who can play their instruments perfectly (because they practised for so long) but will never get you whistling their songs the next day.
They bore you playing in bars.

2. Others who have got the creative spark to come up with enough intersting lyrics/distinctive chord changes/memorable melodies to compensate.
They make it.

Back to the point tho:
AM are infinitely better than lost prophets - they shouldn't be discussed in same sentence.

[pirate telecast]

Wow so I just saw picutre of Lost Prophets and they have changed much since I last remember them. I enjoyed the fake sound of progress though. I did not get a big impression that Arctic Monkeys broke in the states. I live in Los Angeles by the way. Apparently many American's don't go for the British music scene...but so Arctic Monkeys did plau SNL, big deal. I don't like most the musical guests on SNL.

[-spayed-]

ugh, theyre both terrible. But anyway, WTF? WHY IS THIS NEWS? this is the EXACT same thing that was up like....a few weeks ago. wut the hell UG? plus, can somebody tell me when LP were....EVER...in...ANYWAY...successful in the US?

[Dirtydeeds468]

"And there's some guy in the Midwest going, 'Huh?' That guy doesn't give a **** about social commentary on the streets of Sheffield. They didn't break America, they bounced off".

Wow. This guy honestly thinks that America is in love with him. Maybe he should spend more time making progress with his own band than taking trash about other bands.

[aebers79]

GOSH. i love the lostprophets, but ian needs to shut the hell up. hes so cocky

[Paroxysm]

I can't take him seriously when he and his band jumped on the emo band wagon.

[jof1029]

checkered

[xion665]

Lol, it seems like everone calls a band a sellout or mainstream when they're music reaches more than ten kids in town.

[DaliLama]

xion665 wrote:

Lol, it seems like everone calls a band a sellout or mainstream when they're music reaches more than ten kids in town.

And when they cut their hair all together, change the way they dress all together, change the direction of the music to be more like what's selling...when a band talks about how another band won't "Break" America because their lyrics are too specific, that means they are compromising themselves to make lyrics that appeal to a mass audience. And THAT my friend, is truly selling out

[___feelgoodinc]

Celebrity Deathmatch is the only answer.

[archangels]

Although I disagree with Lostprophets' new choice of artistic direction, he's right. I don't have a ****ing clue who The Arctic Monkeys are.

[bobthemonkey14]

I'm cool with both bands...but you should never bash on eachother like that. I'd be happy that more rock is comin' over to the US if I were Ian. Oh well...just enjoy the music...or don't.

[TagRingo]

Haha the lostprophets are prolly a little jealous that they only had one song that everyone forgot about..why do the british bands care about this country anyway..besides the 300 million easy to brainwash potential fans..

..ooh.

[xion665]

DaliLama wrote:

xion665 wrote:

Lol, it seems like everone calls a band a sellout or mainstream when they're music reaches more than ten kids in town.
And when they cut their hair all together, change the way they dress all together, change the direction of the music to be more like what's selling...when a band talks about how another band won't "Break" America because their lyrics are too specific, that means they are compromising themselves to make lyrics that appeal to a mass audience. And THAT my friend, is truly selling out

Well...my friend, i didnt say ANYTHING about that now did i. It was a general statement.

[xion665]

TagRingo wrote:

Haha the lostprophets are prolly a little jealous that they only had one song that everyone forgot about..why do the british bands care about this country anyway..besides the 300 million easy to brainwash potential fans..

..ooh.

Lol, yeah.

[pfricky98]

when i listen to the lostprophets new album it doesn't seem they changed their style of playing too much. it is still the same old drop c guitar riffs and so on as the first too albums. it seems more like they just tried a different tone. it sounds more vintage and less modern than the other two. i mean is that really a bad thing? can't a band just do what they want to do anymore with out getting bashed?

[thenephilim]

who cares what this crappy Welsh band has to say?

[Vivasanti]

No they got turned into radio friendly Pop Emo poos,LP first album was mint and now there just sellout mainsteam comestains.

[superchris]

although im not paticualary fond of bands selling out, i dont like the fact as soon as an alternative band get mainstream success ther automatically sellouts! so what he grew his hair/ and hes wearing what he wants to? and if you dont like it dont listen 2 'em. they put on a good live show to. ALTHOUGH the comment about the monkeys was a bit uneccesary pending on the fact lostprophets took alot more albums to get known in america than the monekys did, so yea, im against what he said, but peepl your gaining nothing by calling them sellouts =]

[shotgunjoe]

___feelgoodinc wrote:

Celebrity Deathmatch is the only answer.

I agree, but its obvious that the Monkeys would win. The Lostprophets would probably worry that they might break a nail or mess up their emo fringes...

[shotgunjoe]

HurricaneSG wrote:

LOSTPROPHETS ARE THE BEST FOR FUCKS SAKE,LISTEN TO THE ALBUMS AND ULL UNDERSTAND .

Um naw.

[clashclash]

Is it me or r the Lostprophets trying 2 b american. watch they music vids

[ellsvill2006]

Lostprophets are from wales for gods sake! although they have probibly forgotten that..they think they are from CA

[abs_n91]

Lostprophets are crap, end of

[Vinura]

lame....those monkeys are way better

[me_and_my_music]

lose the fringe dude

[dico]

...some people astound me. If anyone here had actually put up a decent argument i might try and counter it but as it is i don't think i'll bother.
One thing i will comment on is that in the US lostprophets have sold more records than AM and FF (someone above mentioned them as successful in US).

On the celebrity deathmatch score, i don't think so, has anyone stood next to that Stu Richardson? He's a fookin beast!

[james86]

I think they lostprophets is just a fashion band the singer sings like a crop he is like gavin rossdale who thinks he is an american

[Damian666]

lp frontman doesnt know what hes on about, music is universal, americans aint stupid they can understand that the am songs are based in sheffield as thats all they know about, better than writhing about stuff they dont. As for the LP maybe they should sing about sheep coz they're lyrics are awful, you aint american and this isnt the 80s so lose the hair

[Jawkster]

shut the hell up you whiny ****wits. i don't see how you can compare each band to each other when they're different genres jeez, give it a break.

[huskbunny]

Artic monkeys are crap, i mean who makes a song bout a guy who looks good on da dancefloor, Lostprophets have got way better lyrics and songs den Artic monkeys. People who r sayin lostprophets have sold out are losers. Honestly if u were in da music business da main goal is to earn as much money as u can dats what lostprophets have done changed there style so they can get more money which is kool and im sure dats what everyone else would have done if they were in dat situation. Clearly Lostprophets are a way betta live band den Artic monkeys. man whats da point of fightin bout dis u either like a band or u dont, who cares

[Whiss]

this is a long dead thread..but i feel the need to put my thoughts out there regardless. Firstly, who honestly gives too much of a toss whether or not a band hits the american charts? all you friggin yanks get up on your little pedestals and scream, whine and moan about muso's "selling out" when the vast majority of you are slaves to whatever fad the industries dictate. A town called hypocrisy indeed.. The prophets didnt sell out; like someone said up there - they progressed. Theres nothing wrong with a little diversity and experimentation in your music at all, if you pump out the same stuff all the time the music is going to get repetitious and boring, unless you find the same stuff over and over again comforting and familiar. Producers also have a lot to do with how the end product sounds, try gettin a hold of some demos and hear the difference for yourself. As for what Ian said, and pay attention all you AM fans, he wasn't baggin AM. What he was saying is that AM lyrical content was aimed at a british demographic, not an american audience who wouldnt connect with the lyrics in the same way someone in the UK would. So swallow your ego and testosterone and actually think about Ians words for a minute. As for his hair cut... Who gives a f*** if he wants to look a certain way? Your clothes probably change according to fashion. How is it any different? And as for slinging emo around, as if it were an insult, whats the big issue? Were you raped by an emo? jealous of the attention that their culture is getting? no? then blow it out ur stupid asses. lp and am are all much more successful and live better lives than all of you and me. Like their music, great. Listen to it. Don't like their music, great. Don't listen to it. But if you're going to put on a song and dance about how much you hate the band, go play some tab and pull off like the green eyed loser you are and leave the forums for people with relevant input.

[huskbunny]

well said whiss lol. GO DA PROPHETS

[huskbunny]

Mr. Kashmir wrote:

last time I checked Lostprophets new album didn't break anymore than the Arctic Monkeys album did.

at least the Arctic Monkeys sold well in their home country

UMMM Lostprophets made it 2 no 1 in da UK n dey done preety well in Wales especially for a small town

[Vintage_Axe]

for the people saying atleast arctic monkeys have stuck true to their style of music.... remember their only on their second album, remember lostprophets stuck to their (if a slight change) of their original sound on their second album, and they play music they want, if they wanna put out a few slightly poppier songs on an album then by all means allow them, rememeber (for the guitarists out there) that i'm sure you've given other songs from diff. genres a go, and have if you have, written songs for other genres, and i have heard 2 of LP's new songs, but i don't think it'll silence critics, cause they'll still criticise the LP'S based on their 3rd album, even though the songs go back to FSOP style, if even heavier

[Vintage_Axe]

mr. kashimir: last time I checked Lostprophets new album didn't break anymore than the Arctic Monkeys album did.

at least the Arctic Monkeys sold well in their home country

lostprophets album went to the number 1 spot lolz, and they got best album award. from last time i checked their is no higher spot than number 1 on the charts... plus guys if lostprophets had got their album to the number 1 spot, remember their changin their music type again, so instead of making more records like LT that could reach number one spot and make them money, they have chosen to go back to their roots and churn out another album different to LT

[thycrusader]

why dont bands like mcr and lost prophets ever break up??? damn. im waiting for the next dacade when other shit will come out so this emo/hardcore w/e you wanna call it era can finally ****ing die!!!

[rzsports80]

lyingfromyou118 wrote:

Even if they did, would many people even care? No, listen to the rest of the lyrics blaring through America's speakers now; we're being taught how to spell "bananas" and cry about everyday things.

wow so true. mainstream music is garbage. lmfao bananas

[PunkFunk24/7]

well its quite simple isnt it?
ian watkins is completely right. why would a completely different culture want to hear something about i dunno "mardy bum". AM have loads of ground to make. the music is good, the guitarists are good so's the singer(even though i dont really like indie). but the lyrics are a bit...well. shit.
LP have done well fo themselves. i see loads of comments about how they changed their music and blah blah blah. but think about this. all they did was expand their roots and touch on different material. they adjusted to modern day music. its like this. e.g u come to school wearing crocs while everyones got vans. they just adapted to suit. nothing wrong with that.
Ian is quite right though. AM did bounce off.

[UKrock]

huskbunny wrote:

Artic monkeys are crap, i mean who makes a song bout a guy who looks good on da dancefloor, Lostprophets have got way better lyrics and songs den Artic monkeys. People who r sayin lostprophets have sold out are losers. Honestly if u were in da music business da main goal is to earn as much money as u can dats what lostprophets have done changed there style so they can get more money which is kool and im sure dats what everyone else would have done if they were in dat situation. Clearly Lostprophets are a way betta live band den Artic monkeys. man whats da point of fightin bout dis u either like a band or u dont, who cares

if you take a look outside your bubble of america and take a look around then you'll see that artic monkeys have had the fasted selling album in their first week in uk so they're not bad then are they? how do you know that lost prophets are better live? have you seen arctic monkeys live? thought not. they were voted best live band a couple of years back in the uk above lost prophets.
i can't stand lost prophets probably because they're too american for me but i can see what that guy was saying arctic monkeys are too british for america but doesn't mean they're crap at all.