EXCLUSIVE: We’ve worked out the origin of Arctic Monkeys band name

Where does the band name Arctic Monkeys come from? I asked Dan this question years ago and he answered as if it was common knowledge. It’s only until today that I’ve realised it’s not. Let’s crack on.

“It was Jamie’s fault, he came up with it and he’s never even told us why. If he even knows, he’s keeping it a secret from me.” Exhales Alex Turner to Q Magazine in his constant frustration with the band’s name; Arctic Monkeys.

You can even Google it, the origin of the name is nowhere to be found. *Please pause the tape here and come back once you have scoured the internet*

*Not done it? Great, let’s continue*

Until today, you lucky bean. We’ve found the answer to the unanswered question of ‘Where does the name Arctic Monkeys come from?’. A bold statement I know, but read to the read and I dare you to tell us we’re wrong.

It’s no secret that Al detests the name. Poor Jamie Cook’s genius is often roasted to levels most commonly only witnessed in the privacy of group chats- on a worldwide scale. No wonder he hasn’t revealed the birthplace of the name. He’s been through a battle I can only relate to mispronouncing something in front of your mates and them NEVER forgetting, only for it to be made worse by realising you’ve been saying it wrong your whole life and no one has corrected you and that it will never be lived down.

Here are just a few examples of how offended Alex is by the name Arctic Monkeys…

He told Uncut that he would have made the Arctic Monkeys album, AM, self-titled if the group didn’t have “such a ridiculous name.” “Savage.” – Jamie.

He also told Q Magazine that “There might have been other ideas for offshoots at the time, but the Monkeys was the first one. It sounds like a first band name, doesn’t it? It’s so bad that the tribute bands don’t sound worse. I saw there’s an Aertex Monkeys, that’s pretty clever.” “Come on, mate.” – Jamie.

Since Jamie is too damaged to explain himself and his band name, we’re here to do it for him. This is the first time it has been released to the public or even Alex Turner by the looks of things. But before I continue, it’s not actually been confirmed by Jamie that this is the reason, but I’ll explain why it definitely is.

How Arctic Monkeys got their name

First, a really quick background on the Arctic Monkeys.

They’re northern- and they love the fact that they are. Al’s got a tattoo of a Yorkshire Rose, Matt Helders has ‘0114’, which is the Sheffield area code, printed on his drums, and there’s countless Yorkshire slang used throughout their songs.
They don’t take much seriously. They like to make a joke out of most things, which is one of their most notable and unique traits.

With their background spelt out like this, it makes the source of their name easy to decipher. So if you haven’t already, here goes…

There’s a derogatory term for northerners; Northern Monkeys. There’s a nice quote here from Barry the Baptist “Fuckin’ northern monkeys!” – Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Clip here if you really want to see it. The top definition of a northern monkey on Urban Dictionary is.. ‘erm.. a Northener!?’ followed by ‘a cheeky northern chappie’ and then ‘Anyone from the North of England with a sense of Humour.’ For a derogatory term, it seems northerners love to be a northern monkey…

Right, now keep in mind that the band love to take this piss out of things.

Now, answer this. Where is the northernmost point of the Earth?

I’ll let you piece the two together… and I’ll leave the room and let you enjoy this unforgettable moment on your own.

Until next time.

X

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