Phoenix

It's hard to believe that this group started out as a backing band for an Air remix and one of their guitarist used to work with the guys in Daft Punk but they've come along way since then. Not to mention broken away from their techno roots in favour of indie rock songs. Phoenix was formed back in 1996 by Thomas Mars, Christian Mazzalai, Deck D'Arcy and Laurent Brancowitz but it wasn't until 2000 that their first album "United" appeared on shelves of record stores. Two singles did come from this album but nothing much happened. It only managed to peak at No. 90 on the France album charts. It would take 4 years for any new music to be released. In 2004 Phoenix came out with a second album "Alphabetical" and a bit more mainstream success. To promote disc the group went on a 150 day tour over three continents. Afterwards a live album was available and cleverly titled "Live! Thirty Days Ago" because the tour ended 30 days before the album come out. By 2006 a third album,"It's Never Been Like That", was released. Again a tour was scheduled with stops all over Europe and the United States. Throughout the tour more popularity was gained and "It's Never Been Like That" peaked at No. 34 on the French charts. Most recently a fourth album, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix", was released this year and is obviously their biggest hit to date. It has so far managed to peak in the top 20 for album charts in 4 different countries including France and Canada. Phoenix is now currently on yet another cross-Atlantic tour and will soon be making a few stops in American once again. Not bad for an indie band with beginnings in club music.
http://www.myspace.com/wearephoenix