Indie rockers Arctic Monkeys look set to dominate this year's NME Awards after receiving a record seven nominations.
The band, who kick-started their career by posting their music on the internet and building up a fervent online fanbase before they even signed a record deal, have
been shortlisted in the best British band, best live band, best album, best track, best video and best album-artwork categories.
The lead vocalist, Alex Turner, has also been named in the best-dressed category, alongside the comedian Noel Fielding, the singer Kate Nash and Pete Doherty.
The ceremony is on 28 February.
Turner's band are also competing for the title of best British group and best live act at next month's Brit Awards.
Over the past three years, Arctic Monkeys have received 15 NME nominations, making them the most voted-for band of the decade.
The nominees are picked by readers of NME and NME.com.
NME's news editor, Paul Stokes, says the band are popular thanks to their enthusiasm for touring.
"When they first appeared, they were a real breath of fresh air," he said. "They stood head and shoulders above the rest of their generation and they are one of the best bands in the country. They are also incredibly hard-working. For them it's all about making music."
Jamie Cook, a band member, said: "[Winning the] Live [award] would be good. It's good to have been picked in that because we put a lot of effort into our live work last year, and I thought we got a lot better."
The Klaxons, winners of the Mercury Music Prize, received four nominations, as did Amy Winehouse n although two are for villain of the year and worst-dressed pop star.
Winehouse is also up for best solo artist and best music DVD.
- INDEPENDENT
