The legendary duo’s history: Daft Punk

History of the Daft Punk duo

1992
Before two french musicians Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo started to wear their robot suits under the band name Daft Punk and raised a musical revolution on dance floors, they’ve played in an indie-rock band called „Darlin’”, together with their school mate – Laurent Brancowitz.
Bangalter and Homem-Christo have meet in the paris school Lycée-Carnot back in 1987. Soon, Brancowitz caught up with them. Melody Maker described the band, which name was taken from a Beach Boys track, as „a bunch of daft punk”.
Darlin’ was allready spotted by the british band Stereolab, who took one of the Darlin’s tracks on a compilation, made by their own label. They’ve also made some concert possible for the Darlin’ to play in UK.
The first Darlin’ single was sold in 1500 copies. A good start however, didn’t brought enough success and band awareness. Darlin’ was not yet broadly known in the homeland. Soon, bored with lack of progress, Bangalter and Homem-Christo started the electric band Daft Punk, and Brancowitz joined pop-rock band Pheonix.

1993
It’s been said, that its the best since the guillotine. Both gentlemen ditched guitars and found their new passion in EuroDisneyLand, where they took part in a huge rave party. The name Daft Punk was inspired by a review, the band got in a music magazine. But there is also the alternative story behind it, which tells that the name is short for “Dogs, Androids, Firemen and Tomatoes”. At this time, both guys have already started their experiments with electronica, synthesizers and drum machines. Soon, the duo was signed in Soma Quality Records. The label boss – Stuart Macmillan decided to launch a test-single record with Daft Punk.

1994
The debut single called “The New Wave” gets published, and receives a very warm welcome in the music industry. It seams that Daft Punk have moved the borders of the House music. They’ve added some disco and rock elements to it in an innovative way. In the end, the Daft Punk sound is a fusion of techno rhythm, with some inspirations from their youth. You can find Jimi Hendrix, Kiss, Television, Talking Heads, David Bowie or Serge Gainsgourg sounds in there. This way the Daft Punk duo stands hand in hand with Air and Cassius, as the ambassadors of the new wave of french music.

1995
In may 1995, Daft Punk has already gathered material for the new single, called “Da Funk”. On one of the versions, you could find a clip, directed by american director Spike Jonze (who made videos for Beastie Boys, Fatboy Slip, or “Be like John Malkovich”).
It was the first time that the band had such a huge commercial success, selling over 30.000 copies of the record. They’ve won the UK, where they had supported for one of their favorite bands – The Chemical Brothers.
It was also the general respect of the DJ community which they’ve received, with the remixes of the Brothers records, which also helped.
In this period, the band got the attention of major record companies, who had noticed the success of the band and the rising popularity of house and rave music in Europe.
In the end, Daft Punk signed a deal with Virgin Records, which let the artist have maximum of their freedom and a deal with their own record label Daft Trax.

1997
The duo gets to launch their own record label Daft Trax and take control of the productions. They also keep strict control over their appearance, showing on all promotional material in their famous masks, to keep their looks private. It all was important, with the ongoing “Daft Punk” press madness.
The original headgear will evolve with time, and by the beginning of the XXI the gents will play gigs in high-tech helmets, designed by special-fx companies like Alterian (Zombieland) or Ironhead Studio (Batman Forever, Iron Man 2).
The robot look will become their alter-ego with time. In one of the interviews, Homem-Christo explains, that its just a “creation” which allows the duo to make music, and the look is a great accessory to make a full picture to the sound they are creating. The robots are in the focus, not they, he added.
On the 20th of January 1997 Daft Punk official launches the debut album, called “Homework”. On the playlist, we could find “Da Funk” and the new single “Around The World”, which becomes a huge hit. Even until now it is seen as a part of the electronic music golden era of late 90′.
The band enjoys appreciation not only from the fans of electronic music, but also from the mainstream circles.
Their popularity reaches the other side of the ocean, and “Da Funk” lands on the soundtrack to the “Sankt” movie picture directed by Philip Noyce.
Soon, the band wins golden records in few countries, plays at the biggest festivals like Lollapallooza or Glastonbury.
Their fame reaches other meaning, when the band asks fans to bring toys, in exchange for the Rex Club concert tickets. The gifts are then taken to a charity organization, which takes care of the poor children on the streets of Paris.

1998
The half of the duo – Thomas Bangalter, who started his own label Roulé sooner, launches a EP called “Music Sounds Better with You”, recorded together with other musicians under the name Stardust. The record becomes a hit, and dominates the charts and dance-floors all over the world. Bangalter also starts collaborations with the movie industry and records together with the french director Gaspar Noe. He writes music for controversial “Irréversible” with Monica Bellucci and “Enter the Void”.

2001 – 2005
The musicians join forces and record a very appritiated single “One More Time”, with a manga-styled video clip. Next, the “Discovery” album appears in march 2001. Using the rising returning wave of 70′s and 80′s disco music, the records becomes a commercial success. Soon after that, the french duo team up with japanese director Kazuhisa Takenouchi in “Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem”. The animated movie uses the same imaginary world of japaniese manga, which is used in the video clips for “Discovery”.
On the 15th of march 2005 the “Human After All” LP goes on sale. The record is named the worst in the Daft Punk history. A huge tourne seems to rescue the image of the record. The band appears in high-tech robots suits with huge light-pyramids in background.

2006 – 2009
Daft Punk unleash the full potential of their creativity in their first directed motion picture “Daft Punk’s Electroma”, which had its premier at the film festival in Cannes. It tells a story off robots which want to become human. Still, the band continues to work on music, and by the end of 2008, their start to work on the forth album. In meantime, Daft Punk makes music for ads and movies. Homem-Christo becomes a producer for various projects. He is responsible for the success of “Sexuality” by Sébastien Tellier.
One year later, Daft Punk wins two Gramy awards: best electronic album “Alive 2007” (recorded at Paris Bercy Palais Omnisports on 14.06.2007), and best single “Harder Better Faster Stronger” in the same category.

2010
In summer of 2010, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo are honored with a prestigious award – title of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for their accomplishments in the field of arts in France and in the world. Couple of month later, Daft Punk write the original motion picture score to the science-fiction movie “TRON: Legacy”, directed by Joseph Kosinski. The sound of synthesizers and classical orchestra get combined. The dance tune “Derezzed” gets also a feature on the album. The record only sharpens the appetite of the fans.

2013
On the 21st of May the shop shelfs get a new guest – the long awaited new album from Daft Punk: “Random Access Memories”. The record is promoted through “Get Lucky” featuring Pharrell Williams. The album also gets co-work of musicians such as: Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), Panda Bear, Nile Rodgers, Todd Edwards and the disco music legend – Giorgio Moroder. With the most of the tracks recorded with use of live instruments, the band pays honors to the roots of electronic music from 70s and 80s.