Arctic Monkeys

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not - 2006

"Whatever You Say That I Am, That’s What I’m Not" is The Arctic Monkeys' debut album and is set to become the fastest-selling rock debut since records began, according to industry experts.

HMV says pre-orders of the album are the highest for any new rock act since Oasis released Definitely Maybe in 1994.

The store predicts it will outsell Oasis' first album by shifting up to 200,000 copies in its first week.

Gennaro Castaldo of HMV said: “We might be entering the Chinese Year of the Dog, but as far as the music industry is concerned 2006 is very much the Year of the Monkey.

“We haven’t seen this level of excitement for a new artist since the Britpop-heralding arrival of Oasis more than 10 years ago.

“There has been a great vibe around the Arctic Monkeys for quite a few months now, but it usually takes much longer for a band to develop mainstream appeal and the commercial success that comes with it.

“The Arctic Monkeys seem to have managed this in just one leap – it’s amazing how much impact they have had in such a short time.”

The Sheffield band topped the singles chart in October with I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.

The foursome owe much of their success to the internet – before they were signed to a record label, fans swapped tracks online and word-of-mouth grew.

Their latest single When The Sun Goes Down is heading for the number one spot this weekend.