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You don’t need to be an Arctic Monkeys enthusiast to instantly recognize the cover of their album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.
The iconic monochrome photo of an everyday guy smoking a cigarette is celebrated as one of the most recognizable album covers in history, standing tall alongside competitors such as The Beatles’ Abbey Road and Nirvana’s Nevermind.
The simplicity and quintessential British vibe of the image contribute to its greatness, undoubtedly elevating the otherwise unremarkable man to levels of global fame.
However, many are just starting to uncover his identity, and a lot are quite shocked.
Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not features one of the most legendary album covers ever (Domino Recording Company)
Who is the man on the Arctic Monkeys’ album cover?
Chris McClure was merely 16 when he first crossed paths with the Arctic Monkeys: Alex Turner, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook, Andy Nicholson, and Nick O’Malley.
Reflecting on how he ended up on the album cover during a 2016 interview with The Guardian, McClure mentioned, “We’d attend the same concerts and later meet on the number 77 bus, which led to our friendship.”
Later, while studying in Manchester, he received a call from bassist Nicholson, who wanted pictures of someone having a night out for the artwork of their debut album.
Chris McClure met the lads from the Arctic Monkeys when he was just 16 (Twitter/@chrismcclure86)
‘Go out, get drunk and come back after midnight’
McClure agreed and later reconvened with a photographer and some assistants at a Liverpool bar, where they allegedly handed him a stack of cash and suggested he ‘go out, get drunk, and return after midnight.’
When he eventually returned after 2am, he recounted: “[It was] just me sitting on a stool. They offered me more whiskey, and I ended up throwing up halfway through. Everything was a blur.”
However, the photo the band desired was captured, leading McClure to feature on the cover of one of their most acclaimed albums.
“I was thrilled, but I don’t think I fully comprehended how significant it was going to be,” McClure said concerning the successful project, for which he was compensated £700. “Only on the day of the album’s release, in January 2006, did it dawn on me: ‘S**t, what have I gotten myself into?'”
He’s maintained a relatively low profile… sort of (Twitter/@chrismcclure86)
Fans realizing Chris McClure’s true identity
Despite McClure leading a mostly low-profile life, many fans are just now coming to the realization of who he also portrays… and are quite astonished.
He is, in fact, the face behind a parody TikTok Sunday League football account.
As Steve Bracknall, McClure plays an over-the-top version of an amateur football manager in the fictitious Sunday League team, Royal Oak FC.
His TikTok account for Steve Bracknall has amassed over 600,000 followers, and many are shocked to learn it’s the same guy from the album cover.
One user tweeted: “Just found out this guy is that Sunday league TikTok manager Steve Bracknall lol,” while another added: “I honestly can’t believe that @SteveBracknall is on the cover of one of the best albums of all time.”
A third person humorously remarked: “Everyone just now discovering Steve Bracknall is the bloke on the AM album should be monitored for fraud.”
For those still skeptical, McClure took to Twitter to confirm that the character is, in fact, him, stating: “2024 has been the most intense year of my life. The loss of my dad has been the hardest part. Raising a baby.
“Leaving my job and running a business that just exploded nationwide.
“All while pretending to be the assistant manager of a Sunday league football club [laughing emoji]. Love you, dad.”
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