Silversun Pickups had a bit of a breakthrough with 2009's Swoon. Moody and fuzzed-out singles like "Substitution" and "Panic Switch" drew new listeners to the band's particular brand of melodic and rhythmically infectious guitar-based rock. They even garnered a Best New Artist nod at the Grammy Awards despite having already developed a cult following after debuting with their 2005 EP, Pikul. All of which makes the band's third studio album, 2012's Neck of the Woods, such a welcome follow-up. Building upon Swoon's layered melodicism and once again showcasing lead singer/songwriter Brian Aubert's knack for evocative, introspective lyrics and fiery, multi-dubbed guitar parts, Neck of the Woods is an even more infectious and nuanced affair. In that sense, not much has really changed for the band since 2009. Working with Grammy-winning producer Jacknife Lee (U2, R.E.M., Weezer), they've perfected their mix of epic noise rock and ambient guitar anthems. Tracks like the tightly wound "Make Believe" and the equally sinister-sounding "Busy Bees" are dramatic nuggets of impending pop doom that still reveal sections of rhythmically inventive prog-influenced parts showcasing drummer Christopher Guanlao. Elsewhere, the airy, slow-burning lead single "Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)," with its atmospheric soundscape backdrop via keyboardist Joe Lester, and the driving, grungy "Mean Spirits" are, as with all of the cuts on Neck of the Woods, perfect pop songs that still make room for Aubert's raging and cinematic guitar parts. ~ Matt Collar.

 

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. 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.
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". Pikul has sold 55,000 copies to date. 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 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. Swoon (2008-2010) The band's second album Swoon 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. "The album