Silversun Pickups | |
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 Silversun Pickups atCoachella 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, US |
| Genres | |
| Works | Silversun Pickups discography |
| Years active | 2000 (2000)–present |
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| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | silversunpickups |
Silversun Pickups is an Americanalternative rock band fromLos Angeles that was formed in 2000. The band is composed of Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao, and Joe Lester.
The band released their debut EP,Pikul, in July 2005, and their debut album,Carnavas, on July 26, 2006. Their second album,Swoon, was released on April 14, 2009.Neck of the Woods, the band's third album, came out on May 8, 2012. They issued their fourth album,Better Nature, on September 25, 2015. Their fifth album,Widow's Weeds, came out on June 7, 2019. Their sixth and most recent album,Physical Thrills, was released on August 19, 2022.
Brian Aubert met Nikki Monninger in 1994 on a flight fromLos Angeles toLondon. Both of them were headed toCambridge for a school exchange program. Aubert noticed Monninger sitting across the aisle from him, stealing alcohol from the drink cart.[3] The pair formed Silversun Pickups in 2000, joined in the original lineup by guitarist Jack Kennedy and drummer Elvira Gonzalez.[4] The band began playing in Los Angeles clubs, most often atSilverlake Lounge or nearbySpaceland, and became part of theSilver Lake music scene.[5]
The name Silversun Pickups was derived from Silversun, aliquor store located across from Silverlake Lounge. One of the band's friends would often arrive at the store late at night to buy liquor, making a "Silversun pickup". In interviews, the band has said its name is more of "a state of mind".[6]
In 2002, both Kennedy and Gonzalez left the band.[7] Kennedy would go on to focus on his eponymous solo project, while Gonzalez remained close with the band—playing a bit part in their music video for "Lazy Eye", in 2006.[8] Gonzalez was replaced by drummer Christopher Guanlao, who had played in the band Crooner throughout the 1990s.[9] Rather than recruit a new second guitarist, however, Aubert opted for keyboardist Joe Lester—formerly the bassist of Los Angeles band Pine Marten.[10] The lineup of the band would remain unchanged thereafter.
Silversun Pickups released their debut EP,Pikul, in 2005. It included the single "Kissing Families", which featured fellow Silver Lake artistTanya Haden on cello.[11]
On July 25, 2006, Silversun Pickups released their debut full-length albumCarnavas. Two of the album's four singles, "Lazy Eye" and "Well Thought Out Twinkles", made the top 10 of theBillboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2007. "Lazy Eye" is also featured in the video gamesRock Band 2 andGuitar Hero World Tour, one of only 13 songs to be featured in both games.[12] The songs "Melatonin" and "Well Thought Out Twinkles" are also available as downloadable content for theRock Band series.[13]Forza Horizon, released in 2012, features "Lazy Eye" as a track played on "Horizon Rocks", one of three in-game radio stations.
The band finished a three-week tour opening forWolfmother on December 9, 2006, and later toured withOK Go andSnow Patrol on their U.S. spring tour, which ended on April 10, 2007. They also played at theCoachella Music Festival inIndio, California, on April 27, 2007, as well as various concerts formodern rock-formatted radio stations in the US throughout the year. They also toured theUK andIreland whileCarnavas was released there on May 28, 2007. The band opened forFoo Fighters inEdinburgh andDublin. They also opened for theKaiser Chiefs during their European tour.
Carnavas peaked at No. 80 on theBillboard 200 and has sold 435,000 copies since its release.[14]
Silversun Pickups' second album,Swoon,[15] includes 10 tracks, and instead of having a straightforward mid-tempo sound, Aubert said: "Some songs are very quiet and delicate, [while] others are just [freaking] loud."[16] The album was released on April 14, 2009, to positive reviews. It debuted at No. 7, selling approximately 43,000 copies in its first week.[17]
The first single released was "Panic Switch", which aired on VH1 and MTV music video shows and radio stations worldwide. "Panic Switch" is also featured in the video gamesRock Band andRocksmith.
Silversun Pickups played the 2009 Voodoo Music Experience Festival over the Halloween weekend.[18] In 2009, the band performed "Catch and Release", "Panic Switch", "Lazy Eye", "Well Thought Out Twinkles", "Growing Old Is Getting Old", and "Kissing Families" forMTV Unplugged.
In early December 2009, the band was nominated in theBest New Artist category for the52nd Grammy Awards. Their nomination drew some controversy, because the band was already moderately successful before the 2008–2009 nominating year, although this was mainly due to misunderstandings involving the selections of Best New Artist nominees.[19]
They supportedPlacebo on their Winter 2009 European tour. Upon the release ofSwoon, they toured withManchester Orchestra as main support. In spring 2010, the band toured withMuse for their US tour.[20] They toured North America again in summer 2010 withAgainst Me! andthe Henry Clay People.[21] Another tour took place with Australian rock bandBirds of Tokyo in September 2010 and ended an 18-month set of shows in support ofSwoon at Austin City Limits.
The band released a three-song 10" vinyl single forRecord Store Day's "Back to Black Friday" event on November 25, 2011, titled "Seasick". It was composed of three previously unreleased songs: "Seasick", "Broken Bottles", and "Ribbons and Detours". These were songs left over from theSwoon sessions, and were not put on their third studio album. The band also contributed a cover ofBob Dylan's "Not Dark Yet" for the tribute albumChimes of Freedom.
On February 7, 2012, it was announced that Silversun Pickups would be playing the main stage at the 2012Sasquatch! Music Festival.[22] On March 7, 2012, Aubert confirmed via Twitter both the name of the album -Neck of the Woods[23] - as well as the release date - May 8, 2012.[24] Shortly afterward, the album artwork was posted to the band's Facebook account.[25] On March 25, 2012, the first single from the new album, "Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)", was released. The pre-order forNeck of the Woods also started.[26]
On May 8, 2012, Silversun Pickups' third albumNeck of the Woods was released. It opened near the top of the iTunes top 100 albums and moved into the number one spot the following day.[27] Around the same time, the band announced that they would be playing a number of high-profile summer music festivals. On May 30, 2012, the video to "Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)" was released and announced on Twitter.[28]
On July 24, 2012, the band announced plans for a North American Tour beginning in September 2012. The tour took place on the West Coast, Midwest, and western Canada, with supporting acts includingSchool of Seven Bells andAtlas Genius.[29] In August 2012, Sarah Negahdari, singer and guitarist for The Happy Hollows, temporarily replaced Monninger for live performances while the latter was on maternity leave.
On January 7, 2014, Silversun Pickups announced a compilation album entitledThe Singles Collection, comprising ten previously released songs as well as the new track "Cannibal", which was also the lead single. A video for the song aired in the middle of February, and the band appeared on theJimmy Kimmel Live! show while performing in-store at Amoeba Music (Hollywood).[30] The collection was released on February 25 and appeared in regular formats as well as a box of six 7" vinyl records that included the additional track "Devil's Cup".[31]
On July 15, 2015, the band announced their next album,Better Nature.[32] It was released on September 25, 2015.
In 2017, they featured as the one-band soundtrack toAisha Tyler's feature film directorial debut,Axis.[33][34]
On June 28, 2018, Silversun Pickups posted a photo from a studio session, announcing they had broken ground on recording their fifth album.Butch Vig was mentioned in the post, potentially indicating he would be producing the album.[35] Later, they posted a photo to their social media platforms from the studio with Vig, confirming his involvement.
On April 11, 2019, the band released the video for "It Doesn't Matter Why", the first single from the albumWidow's Weeds, which was issued on June 7, 2019. The songs "Freakazoid" and "Don't Know Yet" were also released as singles. On June 10, 2020, the band issued a 7" single titled "Toy Soldiers", a cover of the 1989Martika song. LikeWidow's Weeds, the cover was produced by Butch Vig.[36]
On July 11, 2022, Silversun Pickups released "Scared Together", the first single from their sixth album,Physical Thrills, which was published on August 19. On August 5, 2022, the band released "Alone on a Hill", the second single fromPhysical Thrills. The track marked the band's first-ever single to feature Monninger on sole lead vocals. "This song exposes a side I didn't know I had in me", Monninger said in a statement. "It felt freeing, especially with everything going on in the past couple of years. I'm grateful everyone gave me so much support during the recording process, as I am a bit timid when it comes to hearing the sound of my own voice. Bri just kept telling me to channel my innerKate Bush".[37]
In December 2022, the band released two new singles: "David Lynch Has a Painting Made of Flies Eyes" and a cover ofLow's "Just Like Christmas".[38] The former was a collaboration with Vig, under the moniker SSVU. In June 2023, the band issued a three-track EP entitledAcoustic Thrills, which contained acoustic versions of songs fromPhysical Thrills: "Scared Together", "Empty Nest", and "Alone on a Hill".[39] The following month, they shared a cover ofJoe Jackson's "I'm the Man", recorded for theNetflix seriesThe Lincoln Lawyer and appearing in the trailer for its second season.[40]
In November 2025, Silversun Pickups announced that they would be releasing a new album in February 2026, titledTenterhooks.[41]
Silversun Pickups' first two albums,Carnavas andSwoon, feature ashoegaze sound that employs multiple overdubs of heavy,distorted guitars; they are frequently compared to the styles ofthe Smashing Pumpkins andMy Bloody Valentine.[42] 2012'sNeck of the Woods and 2015'sBetter Nature largely lack their shoegaze influences, instead incorporating strongelectronic elements.[43][44]
Aubert predominantly uses a 1994Epiphone Sheraton II (Korean reissue), 1965Gibson Non-Reverse Firebird, (unknown year)Gibson Reverse Firebird,Gibson SG Custom, and aGibson Midtown Custom;Ernie Ball strings; YellowDunlop picks; (1990s)Fender Hot Rod DeVille amplifiers; Fractal Axe-FX II XL+.[45]
Monninger playsGibson Thunderbirds and is seen with aFender Precision Bass in the video for "Well Thought Out Twinkles".
Guanlao mainly playedLudwig Vistalites until around theSwoon era, when he switched to an acrylic C&C kit. He also usesIstanbul cymbals.[46]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)Their music updates the anthemic but gauzy heavy rock sound that Veruca Salt and the Smashing Pumpkins had down pat.Pitchfork Media review of CarnavasArchived July 3, 2007, at theWayback Machine byRachel KhongArchived July 3, 2007, at theWayback Machine. "Those nostalgic for Smashing Pumpkins tunes of yesteryear will find them nestled inside the minutes (and there are so many minutes) of 'Lazy Eye'."
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