Since its official formation in 2000 by old school friends Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard, Hot Chip has constantly pushed the boundaries of what pop music can be. In 2003 they signed to Moshi Moshi and 2004 saw the release of Hot Chip’s first studio album ‘Coming On Strong’, an ambitious record that displayed a distinct aversion to the aggressive nature of processed digital dance music and instead reintroduced listeners to its humanity and original spirit . They were later joined by Felix Martin (programming/ synths,) Al Doyle (synths, guitar, cello, horn) and Owen Clarke (guitar, synths & visual artist) who each brought their own unique skills to complete the indefatigable five headed pop colossus. At this point the newly formed quintet signed a U.S and U.K record deal with DFA records and EMI.
2006 saw the release of their second album ‘The Warning’, which was nominated for both The Mercury Prize and a Grammy award. This album presented Hot Chip’s easy, accessible eclecticism and established a signature pop aesthetic entailing wild electronics, off kilter beats and uniquely intoxicating musical experimentation. The Warning was followed in 2007 by ‘Made in the Dark’, a gold-selling, third studio album that was awash with Hot Chip’s trademark creative bravery. The finished record was an up-front, coherent and melodically bold testament to Hot Chip’s creative talent.
After completing a world tour in 2009 they returned to London to record their fourth album, ‘One Life Stand’, which was released in 2010 by Parlophone Records. True to their signature style, the finished album adeptly presented infectious dance floor fillers alongside songs of intimacy and melancholy. For the album they enlisted the considerable talents of two legendary innovators in their fields: Fimber Bravo (Steel n’ Skin) on steel pans, and Charles Hayward (The Heat) on drums. Hot Chip supported the release of this album by returning to the live arena with a sell out, critically acclaimed UK tour supported by Norwegian electro-troupe CasioKids as well as one man electronic troubadour Rob Smoughton aka Grovesnor. The tour culminated in a special later-nighter in Brixton with special guests Simian Mobile Disco, Zongamin and John Coxon/Wolfboy.
The band is also known for its DJ talent, playing regularly worldwide and having released several mix CDs, including 2007’s DJ Kicks album and 2009’s Hot Chip A Bugged Out Mix, as well as remixing the likes of Gorillaz, Amy Winehouse, Kraftwerk, Queens of the Stone Age and Matthew Dear to name but a few. Having already stormed Glastonbury as penultimate headliners on ‘The Other Stage,’ In 2010 the band united with long term friends and pioneering musical comrades LCD Soundsystem to play a series of co- headline shows in U.S and U.K, collaborating together on a cover of The Alessi Brothers’ ‘Seabird’.
Hot Chip are currently in the studio working on the much anticipated follow-up to ‘One Life Stand’. Alexis is also due to release an album on Domino Records with new project; About Group. The album features members of This Heat and Spring Heel Jack. Meanwhile Joe has been working on new albums for The 2 Bears and Dels. Al has stayed on the road for the farewell tour with LCD Soundsystem and has been working on his Grown Men recording project with Felix and as well as a new soundtrack for HBO.