Silversun Pickups

Silversun Pickups
Silversun Pickups at Coachella 2009
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Indie rock Alternative rock Dream pop Shoegaze
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Dangerbird
Website	www.silversunpickups.com
Members
Brian Aubert Nikki Monninger Joe Lester Christopher Guanlao
Past members
Jack Kennedy Elvira Gonzalez

Silversun Pickups is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2002. The band comprises Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao, and Joe Lester.

The band released their debut EP, Pikul, in July 2005, and their debut full-length album, Carnavas, on July 26, 2006. Their second full-length album, Swoon, was released on April 14, 2009.

History

Early years, Pikul EP (2002-2005)

The band members are friends who had played together previously or in mutual friends' bands. They began their career in L.A. clubs, most often at Silverlake Lounge or nearby Spaceland, and began to draw a strong following upon the release of the Pikul EP.

The band originated in L.A.'s Silver Lake music scene, home of Rilo Kiley and others.^[1]

The band was originally named A Couple of Couples, as the original band members were literally a couple of romantically involved couples. However, this was before a change in line-up. Their current name is derived from a liquor store across from Silverlake Lounge. One of the friends would often arrive at the store late at night to buy liquor, and would be as such making the "Silversun Pickup". In interviews, the band often says their name is more of "a state of mind"^[2] - supposedly from living so close to everything an L.A.-based indie rock band would need late at night.

For Pikul, fellow Silverlaker Tanya Haden was enlisted to play cello on the track "Kissing Families".^[3] Pikul has sold 55,000 copies to date.^{[citation needed]}

Carnavas (2006-2007)

On September 26, 2006, the band released their debut full-length album Carnavas. Two of the album's four singles, "Lazy Eye" and "Well Thought Out Twinkles", made the top 10 of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2007. Lazy Eye is also featured in the video games Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour, one of only 13 songs to be featured in both franchises^[4]. The band finished a three-week tour opening for Wolfmother on December 9, 2006, and later toured with OK Go and Snow Patrol on their U.S. spring tour, which ended on April 10, 2007. The band also played at the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California on April 27, 2007, and would play various concerts for modern rock-formatted radio stations in the US throughout the year.

The band also toured the UK and Ireland while Carnavas was released there on May 28, 2007. They opened for Foo Fighters in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Dublin, Ireland. They also opened for the Kaiser Chiefs during their European tour.

Carnavas peaked at #80 on the Billboard 200 and has sold 435,000 copies since its release.^{[citation needed]}

Swoon (2008-2010)

The band's second album Swoon^[5] includes 10 tracks, and instead of having a straightforward mid-tempo sound, Aubert described it as "Some songs are very quiet and delicate, [while] others are just fucking loud."^[6]

The album was released on April 14, 2009 to positive reviews. It debuted at #7, selling approximately 43,000 copies in its first week. Swoon has sold 285,000 copies.^{[citation needed]}

The first single released was "Panic Switch", which aired on VH1 and MTV music video shows and radio stations worldwide. Silversun Pickups played the 2009 Voodoo Music Experience Festival over the Halloween weekend.^[7]

In 2009, the band performed "Catch and Release", "Panic Switch", "Lazy Eye", "Well Thought Out Twinkles", "Growing Old is Getting Old", and "Kissing Families" for MTV Unplugged.

In early December 2009, the band was nominated in the Best New Artist category for the 52nd 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.^[8] They supported Placebo on their Winter 2009 European tour. Upon the release of Swoon, they toured with Manchester Orchestra as main support. In spring 2010 the band toured with Muse for their US tour.^[9] They toured North America again in summer 2010 with Against Me! and The Henry Clay People.^[10] They toured with Australian rock band Birds of Tokyo in September 2010 and ended an 18-month tour in support of Swoon at Austin City Limits.

Third studio album (2011-present)

The band is currently working on their third studio album. They have posted several pictures and videos on Twitter and are currently nicknaming the album "3".^[11] Their label, Dangerbird Records, have confirmed that 3 will be released in the spring of 2012.^[12]

The band has also announced a three song 10" vinyl release for Record Store Day 2011 (November 25th) titled "Seasick". It is composed of three previously unreleased songs; "Seasick", "Broken Bottles" and "Ribbins and Detours".^[13] The preceding songs will not be included on 3.

Musical style and influences

The band's sound, often encompassing multiple overdubs of distorted guitars, is frequently compared to that of The Smashing Pumpkins,^[14] while the band members have said they are heavily influenced by artists such as My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, The Flaming Lips, Catherine Wheel, The Velvet Underground, Elliott Smith, Sonic Youth, Sweet, Modest Mouse, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Secret Machines.

Band members

• Brian Aubert - guitar/lead vocals
• Nikki Monninger - bass/backing vocals
• Chris Guanlao - drums
• Joe Lester - keyboards/samples/sound manipulation

Former members

• Jack Kennedy - Rhythm Guitar
• Elvira Gonzalez - Drums ^[15]

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US [16]	US Indie [17]	AUS [18]	BEL (Fla) [19]	CAN [20]	GER [21]	UK [22]
2006	Carnavas Released: July 25, 2006 Label: Dangerbird Format: CD, LP, DI	80	5	80	84	—	—	161
2009	Swoon Released: April 14, 2009 Label: Dangerbird Format: CD, DI	7	1	14	—	23	90	107
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

EPs

Year	EP details
2005	Pikul Released: July 26, 2005 Label: Dangerbird Format: CD, LP
2007	Remixes Released: 2007 Label: Dangerbird Format:
	Live Session Released: 2007 Label: Dangerbird Format: DI
	The Tripwire Session: Live in Chicago Released: 2007 Label: Dangerbird Format:
2011	Seasick Released: 2011 Label: Dangerbird Format: 10" Vinyl

Singles

Year	Song	Peak chart positions						Album
		US [23]	US Alt [24]	US Rock [25]	BEL (Fla) [19]	CAN [26]	GER [21]
2006	"Kissing Families"	—	—	—	—	—	—	Pikul
2007	"Future Foe Scenarios"	—	—	—	72	—	—	Carnavas
	"Lazy Eye"	102	5	—	56	44	—
	"Well Thought Out Twinkles"	—	9	—	—	—	—
2008	"Little Lover's So Polite"	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009	"Panic Switch"	92	1	4	—	86	73	Swoon
	"Substitution"	—	17	26	—	—	—
2010	"The Royal We"	—	5	21	—	—	—
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Music videos

Year	Title	Director
2006	"Kissing Families"	Suzie Vlcek
	"Lazy Eye"
2007	"Well Thought Out Twinkles"	Philip Andelman
2008	"Little Lover's So Polite"	Joaquin Phoenix
2009	"Panic Switch"	James Frost
	"Substitution"	The Malloys
2010	"The Royal We"	Matt Mahurin

References

1. ^ The Watson Twins display their Southern Manners on FasterLouder.com.au
2. ^ Video on YouTube
3. ^ "Pikul [EP"]. Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009WFEF0. 
4. ^ http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/09/12/10-songs-in-rb2-and-gh/
5. ^ Alternative Press Issue #243
6. ^ The Pendulum - Silversun Pickups make the crowd 'swoon'
7. ^ Information Not Found | Billboard.com
8. ^ "Pop & Hiss". Los Angeles Times. December 4, 2009. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/12/a-brief-primer-on-how-to-become-a-best-new-artist-at-the-grammys.html. 
9. ^ Silversun Pickups
10. ^ Silversun Pickups
11. ^ Silversun Pickups
12. ^ [1]
13. ^ [2]
14. ^
    • Rolling Stone Review by Evan Serpick. "...things take off with 'Well Thought Out Twinkles,' a surge of guitar squalls and male-female vocals that sounds like what might have happened if the Smashing Pumpkins had driven their ice cream cart out West."
    • NPR Song of the Day. Review by John Richards. "Silversun Pickups brings to mind a sort of alternate-universe Smashing Pumpkins."
    • McGonigal, Mike. "Carnavas Editorial Review". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FUF86Q. "Their music updates the anthemic but gauzy heavy rock sound that Veruca Salt and the Smashing Pumpkins had down pat." 
    • Pitchfork Media review of Carnavas by Rachel Khong. "Those nostalgic for Smashing Pumpkins tunes of yesteryear will find them nestled inside the minutes (and there are so many minutes) of 'Lazy Eye'."
15. ^ Silversun Pickups
16. ^ "Silversun Pickups Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/silversun-pickups/chart-history/684468?f=305&g=Albums. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
17. ^ "Silversun Pickups Album & Song Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/silversun-pickups/chart-history/684468?f=326&g=Albums. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
18. ^ Peak chart positions for Silversun Pickups in Australia:
    • "Discography Silversun Pickups". Hung Medien. http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Silversun+Pickups. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
    • "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 13th August 2007" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20070820-0001/issue910.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
19. ^ ^{a b} "Discografie Silversun Pickups" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. http://www.ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Silversun+Pickups. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
20. ^ "Silversun Pickups Album & Song Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/silversun-pickups/chart-history/684468?f=309&g=Albums. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
21. ^ ^{a b} Peak chart positions for Silversun Pickups in Germany:
    • "Chartverfolgung / Silversun Pickups / Longplay" (in German). PhonoNet. http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Silversun+Pickups/?type=longplay. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
    • "Chartverfolgung / Silversun Pickups / Single" (in German). PhonoNet. http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Silversun+Pickups/?type=single. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
22. ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: DJ S – The System of Life". Zobbel. http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_S.HTM. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
23. ^ "Silversun Pickups Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/silversun-pickups/chart-history/684468?f=379&g=Singles. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
24. ^ "Silversun Pickups Album & Song Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/silversun-pickups/chart-history/684468?f=377&g=Singles. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
25. ^ "Silversun Pickups Album & Song Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/silversun-pickups/chart-history/684468?f=902&g=Singles. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 
26. ^ "Silversun Pickups Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/silversun-pickups/chart-history/684468?f=793&g=Singles. Retrieved 2011-09-03. 

External links

• Silversun Pickups official website
• Silversun Pickups on Fuse: Best of Lollapalooza 2009
• Silversun Pickups Interview at REDEFINE Magazine, August 2006
• Silversun Pickups interview on Shockhound.com
• Interview with Nikki Monninger at Three Imaginary Girls
• Podcast of the Silversun Pickups live at SXSW 2006
• Silversun Pickups Interview on Risers - presented by Axe
• Silversun Pickups Video Interview in Toronto