Phoenix

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550 FAVS
248 fans

albums

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- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
- Released 2009

- It's Never Been Like That
- Released 2006

- United (Bonus Track)
- Released 2000

- Alphabetical
- Released 2004

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

news

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- - Pasta
  - - 11/26/2009
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    - 11:02 PM
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    - Phoenix Diary

- - wearephoenix: Phoenix back in Europe in March 2010! Come and check it out on the diary: http://wearephoenix.com/journal/
  - - 11/26/2009
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    - 9:45 PM
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    - Twitter / wearephoenix
  - wearephoenix: Phoenix back in Europe in March 2010! Come and check it out on the diary: http://wearephoenix.com/journal/

- - Phoenix back in Europe in March 2010 *Links Updated*
  - - 11/26/2009
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    - 12:30 PM
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    - Phoenix Diary
  - Hi all, New dates have just been added to the March Tour! Check them out and keep an eye on the journal for more infos to come! Please notice that pr…

- - Thomas birthday in Berlin
  - - 11/23/2009
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    - 10:08 AM
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    - Phoenix Diary

- - Manheim
  - - 11/22/2009
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    - 11:13 PM
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    - Phoenix Diary

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comments

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- - Full of Surprises
  - - By RegallyBlonde
    - 9/22/2009 23:20:32
  - I first heard Phoenix on "Shallow Hal" not long after it came out on video and I gravitated to them right away. I love how much their music has evolved - they are always full of surprises! What an exciting band!
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- - Pop goes France
  - - By Scamouflage
    - 7/8/2009 17:55:20
  - Don't forget to check the band's blog, they offer free remixes on a weekly basis. The orchestral version of 1901 (Single) is stunning.
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- - Good times, good stuff
  - - By The Gooch1977
    - 6/6/2009 20:14:53
  - I first heard about Phoenix from watching Entourage last season, a song titled "If I Ever Feel Better" on their United CD. I was really happy to see them make it more mainstream. So far, I've only heard 1901, but if that song is any indication on how the whole CD is, I am now a huge Phoenix fan.
  - 2 out of 2 people
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- - nice
  - - By joei1994
    - 6/3/2009 22:26:22
  - this band is a true and real band and they make me smile... :)
  - 1 out of 1 people
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- - i (L) this band
  - - By Indyria
    - 6/2/2009 19:00:01
  - I heard this band for the first time on KEXP last week. I love, love, love the song Fences. I'm excited to get to know the music more!
  - 2 out of 2 people
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