2006. Arctic Monkeys, 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'
Who were they? An indie four-piece from High Green, Sheffield, fronted by the charismatic Alex Turner and launched by MySpace. The album was a tale of Northern nights out and characters from Turner's home-town, became the fastest-selling debut of all time and contained two number one singles.
Was it an entirely outrageous choice? The album was voted Album of the Year by the Brits, NME, Q Magazine and Time Magazine. The band were being extremely modest when they declared that Richard Hawley's 'Cole's Corner' had been robbed.
What have they done since? The Arctic Monkeys released follow-up 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' a year later, also to Mercury nomination. The band recamped to America for a following two records released to slightly less acclaim, and 2013 has seen 'AM' become the third Monkeys album nominated, also released to worldwide critical and commercial success. And with the headlining of the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, the band became
the British band of a generation: they're probably the most successful band to win the prize.