Phoenix is a French 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.

History
 

Beginnings

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.

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. The album was recorded in Paris by Cassius's Philippe Zdar who co-produced and mixed the album. 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.

To promote the album, Phoenix performed "Lisztomania", "1901", and "Too Young" on Saturday Night Live on April 4. They also performed "Lisztomania" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, "Girlfriend" on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and "1901" on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.

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 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.

They are about to start a sold out American tour.