20 Things Only Arctic Monkeys Fans Will Understand

17. Jamie Cook Is More Outspoken Than People Think

Jamie Cook isn't the first band member that comes to mind when you mention the Arctic Monkeys. Whether it's down to his laid-back playing style, a willful avoidance of hogging attention, or simply because he doesn't join in on backing vocals as often as the rest of the band, he doesn't seem to hit the headlines as often as you'd expect. Either way, if there's one thing Cook doesn't shy away from, it's voicing his opinion. In the past he has spoken out about his disdain towards "the news" and the media in general, as well as "boring" Coldplay's propensity for supposedly going through the motions with each successive release. It's just another reflection of the rich seam of cynicism that runs through all the Monkeys' work - a characteristic that's shared by all of the band's members. On top of that, Cook came up with the band's name - although even now nobody seems quite sure how - and has even been credited as cultivating their initial indie sound. He may be one of the more quiet band members while onstage, but don't underestimate Jamie Cook's influence on the band as a whole.

16. Their B-Sides Can't Be Ignored

There's a common assumption that B-sides are largely useless, that they're little more than dumping grounds for songs that didn't quite make the cut when it came to choosing singles and album tracks. One look at the Arctic Monkeys' back catalogue suggests otherwise.

B-sides offer a platform to showcase new music without the pressure of a lead single, and you could argue that songs such as the gorgeous lo-fi yearning of €˜Despair in the Departure Lounge€™ have been among the band€™s most interesting and unique recordings. In other words, if you neglect their B-sides, you're missing out.