Guitar bands head NME nominations

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Arctic Monkeys lead the charge at this year's NME Awards with six nominations, closely followed by Kasabian with five.

The two bands go head to head for best British band, best live band, best album, best video and a new award recognising generosity to fans.

Arctic Monkeys are also nominated for best track for Crying Lightning.

Despite splitting late last year, Oasis are in the running for three awards at the ceremony, to be held at Brixton Academy in London on 24 February.

Oasis won the best band prize at last year's awards, voted for by readers of the weekly music magazine.

Female soloists

"It's a good thing knowing we're still up for these awards," said Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys.

"Kasabian have said that there aren't any other proper rock bands apart from us and them. I don't necessarily agree completely but I know what they're saying. I think we're just co-existing nicely," he added.

Florence and the Machine is in the best solo artist category

Muse, who are up for four awards, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys and Oasis are joined by Biffy Clyro in this year's best band category.

Green Day, Kings of Leon, Paramore, Vampire Weekend and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are all nominated for best international band.

Kasabian's Mercury prize-nominated West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, Arctic Monkey's Humbug, Muse's Resistance, The Cribs' Ignore the Ignorant and the Horrors' Primary Colours are all up for best album.

Female artists get a look-in in the best solo artist category - Florence and the Machine and Lady GaGa, who are also up for three Brits apiece, take on Dizzee Rascal, Jamie T and Julian Casablancas.

"The NME awards is the one ceremony where you see the bands who have really meant something and made a difference get justly rewarded," said the magazine's editor Krissi Murison.