Representative Albums: "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix", "Alphabetical/United", "It's Never Been Like That
Biography
The French band Phoenix draws elements from an eclectic '80s upbringing to arrive at their rock-synth sound. Vocalist Thomas Mars, bassist Deck d'Arcy, and guitarist Christian Mazzalai were a garage band based out of Mars' house in the suburbs of Paris. Mazzalai's older brother Branco joined the band on guitar when his band Darlin' disbanded in 1995. The group got their touring start on the French bar circuit doing Hank Williams and Prince covers to drunk audiences. Two years later the band took on the name Phoenix and pressed 500 copies of a single on their own label, Ghettoblaster. The A-side was a punk rock song and the other a chugging Krautrocker, hinting at their eclectic tastes. 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. The result of the electronic exposure was a single called "Heatwave," which was very similar to a '70s disco tune. United, the group's debut album, appeared in 2000 on Astralwerks and was recorded over two months. The album featured guest appearances from friends and family, including Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk), Philippe Zdar (Cassius), and d'Arcy's mother's choral society on the track "Funky Squaredance." From that point, they issued Alphabetical (2004), It's Never Been Like That (2006), and Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009). Part of the extended break between the third and fourth albums had to do with Mars becoming a father (with his partner, director Sofia Coppola). ~ Diana Potts, All Music Guide
Phoenix is a French[1]alternative rock band started during their childhood by Thomas Mars, Deck D'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz in the suburb of Versailles, in the same culture that produced late-'90s bands such as Air and Daft Punk.
Phoenix started as the backing band for a remix of Air's "Kelly Watch the Stars" single. Soon after, Phoenix released their 2000 debut album United. The name Phoenix was officially chosen in 1996 when Laurent Brancowitz permanently joined the band after the end of the short-lived band Darlin' he formed with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, who eventually became Daft Punk.
United (2000)
Following their two singles "If I Ever Feel Better" and "Too Young", "United" was released in 2000.
Alphabetical (2004)
The second album, Alphabetical, released in 2004, saw the band reach more mainstream success, with the singles "Everything Is Everything" and "Run Run Run" reaching some alternative pop 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.
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)
In early 2009, it was announced that the band were returning with a new album titled Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which was released on May 25, 2009[2]. The album was recorded in Paris by Cassius's Philippe Zdar who co-produced and mixed the album.[3] The track "1901" 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.
Their track "1901" was used for the theatrical trailer of the film New York, I Love You and has been featured in commercials for the 2010 Cadillac SRX. "Lisztomania" was used for a Where The Wild Things Are trailer, the season premiere of Cougar Town, an episode from the first season of USA Network's Royal Pains, and was also featured in the season six finale of HBO's Entourage.
An excerpt from "Love Like a Sunset" can be heard in the Ghost Town episode of the tenth CSI:Crime Scene Investigation season.
On December 3rd, 2009 nominations for the 2009 Grammy Awards were released. Phoenix received a nomination for their Album "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" in the pop album of the year category.
