In 2007, indie rock was having its global victory lap — and Arctic Monkeys were at the front of the parade. Fresh off the hype of their debut, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, the Sheffield four-piece were riding a wave of leather-jacket swagger and lightning-fast success.
Enter Nardwuar the Human Serviette — Canadian interviewer, tartan hat enthusiast, and master of pulling obscure facts out of thin air. Put the two together, and you get a cultural collision that’s equal parts awkward, hilarious, and legendary.
Released on April 10, 2007, the interview opens with Nardwuar firing his first shot:
“I bet you guys look good on the dance floor.”
It’s a cheeky nod to the band’s breakout single, instantly setting the tone — clever references, relentless energy, and a pace that doesn’t let up.
The Monkeys? A mix of confusion and amusement. Alex Turner keeps it cool, delivering dry, deadpan comebacks, while Matt Helders leans into the chaos with grins and sly asides.
As per Nardwuar tradition, the gifts start rolling out: vintage vinyl, fanzines from Sheffield’s punk history, and deep-cut references to local record shops. Each item feels like a personal inside joke — except the punchline is that Nardwuar isn’t from Sheffield at all.
The band’s reactions are priceless.
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Half impressed.
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Half bewildered.
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Fully wondering how this plaid-clad trivia wizard knows more about their hometown than some of their own mates.
What makes this clip so enduring isn’t just the comedy — it’s the timing. This was pre-global superstardom Arctic Monkeys:
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Still raw.
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Still reactive.
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Still willing to let awkward silences hang in the air.
And on the other side, Nardwuar is in his prime — delivering meticulously researched deep dives while somehow making every moment feel like a fever dream.
In an era where most band interviews were either stiff press junkets or over-rehearsed charm offensives, this was something different. There’s no script, no autopilot answers — just a band caught off-guard and an interviewer who thrives in the space between curiosity and chaos.
By the end, you can see it: the Arctic Monkeys go from “Who is this guy?” to “We kind of love this guy.”