Silversun Pickups biography
Silversun Pickups is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles that was 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. Neck of the Woods, the band's third album, was released on May 8, 2012.
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 Los Angeles 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.
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" - 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".
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. 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 played various concerts for modern rock-formatted radio stations in the US throughout the year.
The band also toured Great Britain and Ireland while Carnavas was released there on May 28, 2007. They opened for Foo Fighters in Edinburgh and Dublin. 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.
Swoon (2008-2010)
The band's second album
Swoon 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 fucking loud."
Biography from 
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