20 Things Only Arctic Monkeys Fans Will Understand

13. Nick O'Malley Deserves A Lot of Credit For The Way He Joined The Band

He may be a permanent fixture now, but Nick O'Malley wasn't actually the Arctic Monkeys' original bassist when they formed way back in 2002. That honour belonged to Andy Nicholson, who left the band due to fatigue shortly after the release of their debut album. You would think that stepping into the lineup of one of the country's hottest new bands would be a daunting prospect, but O'Malley was remarkably unphased by the task. After learning material from their first album within two days and impressing during a trial period in which he played with a broken hand sustained from a drunken night out, O'Malley was only expected to stay on a temporary basis. It's now been eight years since he joined. Today, it's hard to imagine the band without him; he's essential to the bass-driven, R'n'B-inspired sound that courses through so much of their work.

12. Reminders Of Their Music Are Everywhere

If you live in the UK, 'Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secure' is a phrase you'll probably see stamped on the inside of taxi cab doors fairly often - a reassuring reminder that you won't, in fact, accidentally tumble out of the vehicle while in transit. This humble sign has added significance for Arctic Monkeys fans, who often find it hard to read them without instantly humming the bass opening for the song of the same name. It's not just that track, either. The band's back catalogue is stuffed with references to aspects of daily life, relayed with a brand of wit that's dryer than the Atacama desert. Whether you're slipping on your dancing shoes, being offered one for the road, or marvelling at a friend's T-shirt and tie combination, you can't help but notice little reminders of the observations that pop up in the Arctic Monkeys' songs - and of Alex Turner's skill as a lyricist. From failing relationships and drunken nights out to a simple taxi journey, he describes a world to which so many of us can relate.