Artist of the Day: Silversun Pickups

Combine the sounds of Smashing Pumpkins, Sweet, Sonic Youth,Velvet Underground and Elliott Smith and you get Silversun Pickups. SSPU got started in the Silver Lake area of L.A., as did Elliott Smith and Rilo Kiley, playing in clubs like the Silverlake Lounge and Spaceland. After playing in friend's bands and playing a few gigs together, band members Brian Aubery, Nikki Monninger, Joe Lester and Christopher Guanlao, finally got together in 2000. The band originally chose A Couple Of Couples as their brand; however, as a tribute to their humble beginnings, they settled on Silversun Pickups. They lived at Sunset and Silverlake Boulevards, near the Silverlake Lounge with a liquor store across the street--the inspiration for the band's name. With the release of the Pikul EP, SSPU found a following. The first album, Carnavas, found success, and the follow up album, the recently released Swoon, has met a lot of positive criticism with the first single, "Panic Switch." The album is sick--contrasting quieter songs with songs that are relentlessly loud, heavy guitars with a quiet acoustic sound, and hushed singing with ruthless rocking. Check out their single on www. silversunpickups.com.

Band: Brian Aubert (guitar, vocals), Nikki Monninger (bass, vocals), Chris Guanlao (drums), Joe Lester (keys)

Formed: 2000 in L.A.

Label: Dangerbird

Most Recent Album: Swoon (2009)

Website: www.silversunpickups.com

-Erica Schwartz

Currently listening to "Panic Switch" by SSPU

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contacteditorial@athensblur.com