Arctic Monkeys producer's pride at legendary debut 20 years on
A Producer's Pride: 20 Years of Arctic Monkeys' Iconic Debut
By Simon Thake
Yorkshire
In the world of music production, few collaborations can match the impact of the Arctic Monkeys' debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." Exactly 20 years after its release, one of the producers behind this legendary album, Alan Smythe, reflects on his pride and the journey that shaped the band's success.
A Record-Breaking Start
The album, released on January 23, 2006, became the fastest-selling debut by a British band in history, selling 360,000 copies in its first week and a staggering 2.5 million worldwide. It was a phenomenon, packed with hits like "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "When the Sun Goes Down." But what made this album truly remarkable was the band's age and the raw talent that shone through.
A Producer's Perspective
Smythe, who also mixed the band's early demos, shares his insights: "I'm very proud of it. I knew we were working with something very impressive. The lyrics are astounding, especially considering they were just 17 years old. They were everything you'd expect: excited, fun, funny, witty, charming, and a bit annoying, just like kids at that age."
The Journey Begins
Smythe's involvement with the Arctic Monkeys began with Pulp, another Sheffield band. He initially assembled 18 tracks by the Arctic Monkeys, which became their "Beneath the Boardwalk" demo collection, handed out at gigs. Smythe recalls, "I remember seeing them perform at The Boardwalk in Sheffield in 2003. They did about eight or nine songs, four of which were their own. But it was the quality between their original songs and covers that stood out."
A Fast-Paced Production
The band's approach to recording was efficient. Smythe explains, "We had to work fast. They had no money, so we did four songs every two days. One of my tricks to ensure they played in time was to use a click track for the first minute of each song. It helped them stay locked in."
Capturing the Live Sound
The biggest challenge, according to Smythe, was replicating the band's live energy. He recalls, "Jim Abbiss, who produced the rest of the album, kept coming back to 2Fly and asking, 'How did you make it sound so alive?' It was a constant quest to capture the raw energy of their live performances."
A Secret Launch and a Sold-Out Album
On the Sunday night before the album's release, an unofficial launch took place at the Leadmill in Sheffield, attended by local acts Milburn, Harrisons, and Reverend and the Makers. Student Omar Solliman, now writing a book about the band, recalls, "It was packed all night, like a celebration for the Sheffield scene."
A Rising Star and a Lasting Legacy
The Arctic Monkeys' rise continued with their first headline slot at Glastonbury in 2007 and subsequent performances at the Pyramid Stage in 2013 and 2023. The band has released seven more albums, selling over eight million copies worldwide. Smythe's 2 Fly studio, now on Bailey Road near the University of Sheffield, continues to work with young local bands, but he still cherishes the early Arctic Monkeys recordings.
"The songwriting is great, and you can't go wrong with good songs," Smythe says. "Alex Turner's vocal and guitar skills are extraordinary. I'm a guitarist, but I can't replicate what he does on that album. It's a testament to the band's talent and the power of their music."
A Controversial Take?
But here's where it gets interesting. While the Arctic Monkeys' success is undeniable, some may argue that their impact on the music industry has been overstated. Was their rise more about good timing and a unique sound, or did they truly revolutionize the scene? The debate rages on, and it's a question worth exploring further. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
