Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner was underwhelmed by their victory

The Sheffield group won best new band, best track for I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor and beat the Kaiser Chiefs to the best British group title.

The awards come only a month after the release of their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.

The Kaiser Chiefs, nominated in a record-breaking six categories, took one gong for best album.

Singer Ricky Wilson also received the best dressed person prize.

Artic Monkeys' lead singer Alex Turner was underwhelmed by his band's victory.

"We did the triple, but in all honesty, I suppose we're supposed to display some gratitude," he said as he collected the best British band prize.

US hip hop artist Kanye West was named best solo artist

"We are grateful because, you know, voted for by the people and all that, we're very happy about that but who else was going to be the best British band at the moment, you know?"

Franz Ferdinand beat Arctic Monkeys to claim the best live band award. Oasis won the best video award for The Importance of Being Idle, which starred actor Rhys Ifans.

Former Stone Roses front man Ian Brown was honoured with Godlike Genius award presented by footballer Teddy Sheringham after Brown said he would only accept the award from a member of Manchester United's 1999 treble-winning squad.

Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty was named sexiest man by NME readers, and gave a surprise performance of Down in Albion at the event. Madonna was named sexiest woman.

Yes, Kaiser Chiefs did well at the Brits, but the NME Awards are always a year ahead of the Brits Conor McNicholas NME editor

In contrast to his success at the Brit Awards, James Blunt took home a worst album award for Back to Bedlam

'Greatest artists'

Bob Geldof was furious that the Carling Weekend's Reading and Leeds music festivals were named best event rather than his own Live8 concerts.

"I can't accept that the Carling Weekend won best event when it was up against nine simultaneous events around the world with the greatest artists in the world," he said.

The Live8 concerts took the best music DVD prize, however.

The ceremony was held at the Hammersmith Palais.

Kaiser Chiefs had a record six nominations but won only one award

At one stage The Cribs' lead singer Gary Jarman dived head first into a table, shattering champagne bottles.

NME editor Conor McNicholas said of big winners the Arctic Monkeys: "This time last year no-one had ever heard of them.

"To go from that to the biggest band in Britain and win three awards is pretty special. Everyone talks about them making it big because of the internet but there's a lot of fine music on the internet.

"The great thing about the Arctic Monkeys is they are doing something nobody else has done. They have a depth to their lyrics that no-one else has."

Better from the north

He said of the Kaiser Chiefs' disappointing awards tally: "If it wasn't for the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs would have done a lot better.

Music tends to be better when it springs from boredom Pulp's Jarvis Cocker, discussing fellow Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys

"Yes, Kaiser Chiefs did well at the Brits, but the NME Awards are always a year ahead of the Brits."

The Arctic Monkeys' success follows that of fellow Sheffield bands such as Pulp and The Human League.

After the ceremony Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker said: "I do think better music comes from the north.

"In London there's too much around you all the time so, basically, music tends to be better when it springs from boredom."

NME Winners:

Best new band
Arctic Monkeys

Best video
The Importance of Being Idle - Oasis

Best international band
The Strokes

Best TV show
Gonzo (MTV2)

Best solo artist
Kanye West

Philip Hall Radar award
Long Blondes

Best radio show
Zane Lowe (BBC Radio 1)

Best event
Carling Weekend: Reading & Leeds Festivals

Best live band
Franz Ferdinand

Best music DVD
Live8

Best film
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

John Peel music innovation award
Gorillaz

Best track
I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys

Best album
Employment - Kaiser Chiefs

Best British band
Arctic Monkeys

Godlike Genius award
Ian Brown

Best website
NME.com

Best venue
Brixton Academy

Hero of the year
Bob Geldof

Villain of the year
George Bush

Best dressed
Ricky Wilson

Worst dressed
Justin Hawkins

Worst album
Back To Bedlam - James Blunt

Worst band
Son of Dork

Sexiest man
Pete Doherty