phoenix

Phoenix is a Grammy Award winning French alternative rock band from Versailles, founded by Thomas Mars,Deck d'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz.

Formation and early years

Vocalist Thomas Mars, bassist Deck d'Arcy, and guitarist Chris Mazzalai started as a garage band based out of Mars' house in the suburbs of Paris. In 1995, Laurent Brancowitz, Mazzalai's older brother, permanently joined the band on guitar after the end of the short-lived band Darlin' he formed with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (who together became Daft Punk). Two years later the band took on the name Phoenix and pressed 500 copies of a single on their own label, Ghettoblaster. 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. They were the backing band for a remix of Air's "Kelly Watch the Stars" single. They currently hold a very close friendship with the members of Daft Punk.