The internet means record companies have to fight a bit harder. I think the bands are probably in a stronger position, as they are not so desperate for the record company to magic up the audience. They come with an audience.

The Internet means record companies have to fight a bit harder.

It's been a word-of-mouth phenomenon that none of us have really seen in music. I'm not sure there's anything we can compare it to. It's completely unprecedented.

But there's nothing to be scared of here. It's all good news for the industry as a whole. People are excited about music. They're all in the record shops buying the CD, and, while they're there, there's a good chance they'll buy another one. I'll bet Richard Ashcroft sold a few more copies last week than he might have done otherwise.

Arctic Monkeys are not interested in being in people's faces. They're not giving themselves away, and that seems to make their connection with people doubly powerful. People are getting everything slammed in their faces by the media - not just music, right across the board. But fans like digging things out for themselves.

Not as much as I used to, but I use the Internet for everything. I use it for information. Like if I'm planning a trip or something, I'll check out the place I'm going to.