Arctic Monkey’s Newest Video, Upcoming DVD of Manchester Show and Rare Booklet of the Band

Arctic Monkeys, riding high on the success of their latest album Favourite Worst Nightmare, and their new single “Teddy Picker” (video below), are resting up following a nearly non-stop touring schedule in 2007.

Last month, the band launched a 11-day, seven-show sold-out concert tour of the U.K. and the Netherlands. The tour extended from Dec. 4 to Dec. 15 with the final show of 2007 performed at Manchester’s Apollo Theatre.

For hard-core fans, you may be interested to know that Warped Films – which has produced some wildly successful British film since 2003, including Dead Man’s Shoes and This is England – was at the Apollo filming the show. The “theatrical” DVD special is expected to be released in the spring.

Warped also filmed Arctic Monkey’s short film Scummy Man.

By the way, after much searching, I was able to get my hands on an exclusive and rare print (handed out at the shows in December) of the Arctic Monkey’s “Christmas special” with Big Issue magazine.

The spread includes many photos of the usually shy band members and an extensive article.

“Teddy Picker” video – released Dec. 31, 2007

Teddy Picker Lyrics

They’ve sped up to the point where they provoke
The punchline before they have told the joke
Plenty of desperation to be seen
Staring at the television screen

They’ve sped up to the point where they provoke
You to tell the f**king punchline before you have told the joke
Sorry sunshine it doesn’t exist
It wasn’t in the top 100 list

And it’s the thousandth time that it’s even bolder,
Don’t be surprised when you get bent over,
They told ya,but you were dying for it

She saw it and she grabbed it and it wasn’t what it seemed
The kids all dream of making it, whatever that means
Another variation on a theme
A tangle on the television and the magazine
D’you reckon that they do it for a joke?
D’you reckon that they make ’em take an oath?
That says “we are defenders
[Teddy Picker lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

Of any poseur or professional pretender around”

When did your list replace the twist and turn
like a fist replaced a kiss, don’t concern us with your bollocks
I don’t want your prayers
Save it for the morning after

And it’s the thousandth time and it’s even bolder,
Don’t be surprised when you get bent over,
They told ya, but you were gagging for it

Lets have a game on the Teddy Picker
Not quick enough can I have it quicker?
Already thick and you’re getting thicker
Lets have a game on the Teddy Picker
Not quick enough can I have it quicker?
Already thick and you’re getting thicker

Assuming that all things are equal,
Who’d want to be men of the people
When there’s people like you?

JUST IN: Snow Patrol’s Johhny Quinn Writes Note to Fans About Accident

The red-hot U.K. rock band Snow Patrol announced today that the group’s drummer, Johnny Quinn, broke his arm snowboarding in the French Alps.

The band, which has a number of shows in Germany in early February, will replace Quinn with a long-time friend and ex-Therapy drummer Graham Hopkins, according to the following note Quinn posted on the band’s official website:

“I thought it was time that someone from Snow Patrol learnt to snowboard, so I took myself off to Chamonix [France].” Quinn continues, “on the first day, I tumbled down a hill and broke my elbow…the rest of the band did not want to play with another drummer for the upcoming European dates but I didn’t want to cancel anymore gigs after last year, so we’ve asked longtime friend and ex-therapy? [sic] drummer, Graham Hopkins to step in.”
The band has suffered a number of health issues over the past year. They were forced to cancel shows in 2006 after the group’s bassist Paul Wilson was injured and singer Gary Lightbody lost his vocal.

Doctors have reportedly told Quinn his arm needs six weeks to heal properly, but his note insists he will be back in action when the band kicks off their Australian tour.

The group has already canceled its performance at next week’s Meteor Irish Music Awards.
Whether the band will perform with Graham or Quinn at the Brit Awards on Feb. 14 is unclear. They have been nominated in the Best British Group and Best British Single categories.

The band’s manager Jazz Sumner said, “Johnny has said he’ll play the Brits, even if he has to go on stage in plaster. But on TV things have to be right.”
Snow Patrol’s official website