Silversun Pickups | |
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Silversun Pickups at Coachella 2009.
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Background information | |
Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Genres | |
Years active | 2002 | –present
Labels |
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Website | silversunpickups |
Members | Brian Aubert Christopher Guanlao Joe Lester Nikki Monninger |
Past members |
Jack Kennedy Elvira Gonzalez |
Silversun Pickups is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles that was formed in 2000. The band is currently composed of 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 full-length album, was released on May 8, 2012. The band released their fourth full-length album, Better Nature, on September 25, 2015.
The band members are friends who had played together previously. 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 has been repeatedly rumored to have been originally named A Couple of Couples, as the original lineup was composed of a pair of romantically involved couples — lead guitarist Brian Aubert was dating drummer Elvira Gonzales, while bassist Nikki Monninger was dating rhythm guitarist Jack Kennedy. However the band has stated that this is untrue. The name Silversun Pickups was derived from a liquor store located across from Silverlake Lounge. One of the friends would often arrive at the store late at night to buy liquor, making a "Silversun Pickup." In interviews, the band has said its name is more of "a state of mind".
Brian Aubert met Nikki Monninger in 1994 on a flight from Los Angeles to London. Both of them were headed to Cambridge for a school exchange program. Aubert noticed Monninger sitting across the aisle from him stealing alcohol from the drink cart by distracting the flight attendant.