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Nick O'Malley
Nick O'Malley after a show in Chicago, 9/12/07.
Background information
Birth name	Nicholas O'Malley
Born	5 July 1985(1985-07-05) Sheffield, England age 24
Genres	Indie rock, Post-punk revival
Occupations	Musician
Instruments	Bass guitar, Backing Vocals
Years active	2006 -
Labels	Domino
Associated acts	Arctic Monkeys The Dodgems
Notable instruments
Fender Precision Bass Rickenbacker 3000

Nicholas O'Malley (born 5 July 1985 in Sheffield), is the bass guitarist of Sheffield-based band Arctic Monkeys.

Biography

O'Malley was drafted in as a temporary replacement for bassist Andy Nicholson when the latter announced he would not make the band's North America tour in May 2006. ^[1] O'Malley says that he learned the whole of the band's debut album in two days of intensive play where he "pretty much didn't even leave the house."^[2] His baptism by fire continued as the band were imminently recording their new single, "Leave Before the Lights Come On", in which he played bass guitar.

His first appearance with the band came on 25 May, when the band played a secret gig at the "Old Blue Last" pub in East London ^[1]. The 120 capacity venue was seen as an opportunity for O'Malley to have a test run before the band's first North American gig in Vancouver on 27 May and festival dates in front of fifteen to twenty thousand people. ^[2]

O'Malley broke his hand following some drunken antics with his former Dodgems bandmates only a week after agreeing to fill in for Nicholson - "As we were walking home from the pub, our roadie (Adam Guest) grabbed him (O'Malley) and pulled him over our neighbour's wall. It's quite high and he landed on his right hand" Dodgems singer Phillip Goodwin was quoted as saying on the music website Angry Ape. However, despite being his plectrum-hand he was still able to play the bass and joined the band in the successful tour.

Although O'Malley was only expected to continue until Nicholson has fully recovered, Nicholson's departure from the band saw the announcement that O'Malley will become a full member of the band.

Despite being billed as the quieter member of the band, Nick O'Malley actually has a very affable personality and can be seen on popular website YouTube.com in several videos showing his more out going personality.

Equipment

As far as equipment goes for touring with the Arctic Monkeys, Nick used both Ampeg and Hiwatt bass heads and cabinets, switching between the two for clean and distorted sounds. He used a Rickenbacker 3000[Rickenbacker 4003] and various Fender Precision basses.

References