Phoenix biography
Phoenix is a Grammy Award winning Alternative rock band from Versailles, founded by Thomas Mars, Deck d'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz.
History
Formation and early years
Vocalist Thomas Mars, bassist Deck d'Arcy, and guitarist Chris Mazzalai started as a garage band based out of Mars' house in the suburbs of Paris. In 1995, Laurent Brancowitz, Mazzalai's older brother, permanently joined the band on guitar after the end of the short-lived band Darlin' he formed with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (who together became Daft Punk). Two years later the band took on the name Phoenix and pressed 500 copies of a single on their own label, Ghettoblaster. Shortly after, they were signed to the Paris-based Source Records. Phoenix became well acquainted with labelmates Air when they acted as their backing band on several U.K. TV appearances. They were the backing band for a remix of Air's "Kelly Watch the Stars" single. They currently hold a very close friendship with the members of Daft Punk.
United (2000)
Following their two singles "If I Ever Feel Better" and "Too Young",
United was released in 2000. Their track "Too Young" was in the soundtrack for the movie
Lost in Translation (which was directed by Thomas's later wife, Sofia Coppola), and was also played in the movie
Shallow Hal. The single "If I Ever Feel Better" was played over the ending credits of
Entourage Season 5, Episode 2.
Alphabetical (2004)
The band's second album,
Alphabetical, was released in 2004 and saw the band reach more mainstream success, with the singles "Everything Is Everything" and "Run Run Run" reaching some alternative rock airplay charts. Hedi Slimane commissioned a special mix of their song "Victim of the Crime" as the soundtrack to one of his runway shows for Dior Homme.
Live! Thirty Days Ago (2005)
Following
Alphabetical, the band toured three continents, playing 150 dates. This tour was followed up with a live album,
Live! Thirty Days Ago, released only 30 days after the end of the tour.
It's Never Been Like That (2006)
Phoenix then spent time in Berlin during the summer of 2005, making use of Planet Roc studios to produce their third album,
It's Never Been Like That. To promote the release of
It's Never Been Like That, Phoenix toured the United States and Europe in 2006.
The American band, Paramore did a cover of their song "Long Distance Call" live in Taratata, a French TV show.
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)
In early 2009, it was announced that the band was returning with a new album titled
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which was released on May 25, 2009. The album was recorded in Paris by Cassius's Philippe Zdar who co-produced and mixed the album. The track "1901", a tribute to early Paris, was released on February 23, 2009, as a free download prior to the release of the first single, and aired for the first time on Australian radio station Triple J.
Biography from 
, the free encyclopedia.
It may not have been reviewed by a professional editor, and recent changes may not show up straight away. See the latest version of this article. Used under licence. Subject to disclaimers.