LCD Soundsystem is an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2002 by James Murphy. The band is composed of Murphy (vocals, various instruments), Nancy Whang (keyboards, vocals), Pat Mahoney (drums), Tyler Pope (bass, guitar, keyboards), Al Doyle (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Matt Thornley (keyboards, vocals) and Korey Richey (keyboards, percussion, vocals). LCD Soundsystem rose to prominence with their self-titled debut album in 2005, featuring the singles "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House" and "Losing My Edge." They released two more critically acclaimed albums, "Sound of Silver" (2007) and "This Is Happening" (2010), and announced their disbandment in 2011 with a farewell concert at Madison Square Garden documented in the film "Shut Up and Play the Hits." The band reunited in 2015, and released their fourth studio album, "American Dream," in 2017, to positive reviews. They are signed to both DFA and Columbia Records.
2002: Early Singles Releases
From 2002 to 2004, LCD Soundsystem began their career by recording and releasing a series of singles.
2002: Band Name Origin
James Murphy founded LCD Soundsystem in Brooklyn in 2002. The name originated from a performance where Murphy and Pat Mahoney covered Liquid Liquid songs, and "LCD" stands for "Liquid Christmas Display".
2002: LCD Soundsystem Formation
LCD Soundsystem was formed in Brooklyn, New York in 2002 by James Murphy, co-founder of DFA Records. The band signed to DFA Records upon its inception.
2004: Early Singles Releases
From 2002 to 2004, LCD Soundsystem began their career by recording and releasing a series of singles.
January 2005: Debut Album Release and Critical Acclaim
LCD Soundsystem's self-titled debut album, which included a second disc of non-album singles, was released in January 2005 to critical acclaim.
June 2005: Slowdive Cover Release
In June 2005, LCD Soundsystem released a cover of Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Slowdive" as the B-side of their single "Disco Infiltrator".
December 2005: Grammy Nominations and Amazon.com Recognition
In December 2005, LCD Soundsystem received two Grammy nominations: Best Electronic/Dance Album for their self-titled album and Best Dance Recording for "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House." The album was also included in Amazon.com's "Top 100 Editor's Picks" of 2005.
2005: Debut Album Release and Grammy Nomination
In 2005, LCD Soundsystem released their self-titled debut studio album which was critically acclaimed, and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album.
October 2006: 45:33 Release
LCD Soundsystem released "45:33" in October 2006 as part of Nike's Original Run series. Although initially presented as a workout track, it was later revealed that Murphy intended it as a long-form musical piece.
February 2007: North American Scum Release
"North American Scum" was released as a single in February 2007, ahead of the release of Sound of Silver.
March 20, 2007: Sound of Silver Release and Critical Acclaim
Sound of Silver, LCD Soundsystem's second album, was released on March 20, 2007, to widespread critical acclaim from publications like Mixmag, Pitchfork, and The Guardian.
September 2007: A Bunch of Stuff EP Release and Tour with Arcade Fire
LCD Soundsystem released the A Bunch of Stuff EP in September 2007 and toured with Arcade Fire.
December 2007: Grammy Nomination and Critical Acclaim for Sound of Silver
In December 2007, LCD Soundsystem received a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album for Sound of Silver. The album also garnered significant critical acclaim, being named the best album of 2007 by several publications. Time magazine included "All My Friends" in its list of the top 10 songs of 2007.
December 2007: Confuse the Marketplace Release
Confuse the Marketplace, a 12-inch record of B-sides from European singles, was released in North America in December 2007.
2007: Sound of Silver Release and Grammy Nomination
LCD Soundsystem released their second studio album, Sound of Silver, in 2007, which received critical acclaim and another Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album.
November 18, 2008: Discontinuation Rumor
Rumors of LCD Soundsystem's discontinuation surfaced on November 18, 2008, following an interview with Al Doyle, but were quickly refuted by both Doyle and Murphy.
2008: Big Ideas Release
LCD Soundsystem released "Big Ideas" for the soundtrack of the film 21 in 2008, and Rolling Stone later ranked it among the best songs of the year.
2009: New Album Recording and Bye Bye Bayou Release
James Murphy started recording a new LCD Soundsystem album in Los Angeles in the summer of 2009. The band also released a cover of Alan Vega's "Bye Bye Bayou" for Record Store Day 2009.
February 23, 2010: Album Completion and Single Announcement
On February 23, 2010, LCD Soundsystem announced the completion of their new album. "Drunk Girls" was slated as the first single.
April 12, 2010: Secret Gig at Webster Hall
On April 12, 2010, LCD Soundsystem played a secret show at Webster Hall in New York City. James Murphy requested attendees not leak the album.
May 17, 2010: "This Is Happening" UK Release
LCD Soundsystem's album "This Is Happening" was released in the UK on May 17, 2010.
May 18, 2010: "This Is Happening" US Release
"This Is Happening" was released in the US on May 18, 2010, a day after its UK release.
2010: Record Store Day Release and Future Plans
In 2010, LCD Soundsystem released a limited edition "Pow Pow" single for Record Store Day. Murphy indicated the band would continue recording music, focusing on smaller releases like 12" singles.
2010: This Is Happening Release
This Is Happening, LCD Soundsystem's third studio album, was released in 2010 and became their first top-ten album in the US.
February 8, 2011: Final Show Announcement and Warm-up Shows
On February 8, 2011, LCD Soundsystem announced their final show, scheduled for April 2 at Madison Square Garden. Due to high ticket demand, four warm-up shows were added at Terminal 5.
February 2011: Disbandment Announcement
In February 2011, LCD Soundsystem announced their disbandment.
April 2, 2011: Farewell Concert and Disbandment
LCD Soundsystem played their farewell concert at Madison Square Garden on April 2, 2011, and subsequently disbanded.
April 11, 2011: "Live Alone" Cover Release
LCD Soundsystem's cover of Franz Ferdinand's "Live Alone" was released as a single on April 11, 2011.
2012: "Shut Up and Play the Hits" Documentary Screening
The documentary "Shut Up and Play the Hits", about James Murphy and the band's final show, screened at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
March 5, 2013: Rolling Stone's New Immortals
LCD Soundsystem was named one of Rolling Stone's "New Immortals" on March 5, 2013, recognizing their influence and longevity.
April 2014: The Long Goodbye Release
"The Long Goodbye", a live album of LCD Soundsystem's farewell concert, was released in April 2014.
April 19, 2014: "The Long Goodbye" Release
The live recording of LCD Soundsystem's farewell show, "The Long Goodbye", was released on vinyl on April 19, 2014.
October 2015: Reunion Rumors and Denial
Rumors circulated about LCD Soundsystem reuniting in 2016, with reported festival appearances. These rumors were subsequently denied by DFA Records.
January 4, 2016: Coachella Announcement and New Album Confirmation
LCD Soundsystem's reunion was confirmed on January 4, 2016, with the announcement that they would headline Coachella. A new studio album was also confirmed.
January 2016: David Bowie's Influence
James Murphy revealed that David Bowie, prior to his passing in January 2016, had encouraged him to reunite LCD Soundsystem.
August 2016: Tour Cancellations and Album Delay
In August 2016, LCD Soundsystem canceled tour dates in Asia and Australia to focus on completing their new album, delaying its expected release.
2016: Signing with Columbia Records
In 2016, LCD Soundsystem signed with Columbia Records.
2016: Planned Reunion
LCD Soundsystem was rumored to reunite in 2016 to headline music festivals in the US and UK.
2016: Reunion Rumors Resurface
Rumors of LCD Soundsystem's reunion continued to circulate in 2016 after the release of their Christmas single.
September 2017: American Dream Release and Chart Success
In September 2017, LCD Soundsystem released American Dream, their fourth studio album, which became their first number-one album in the US.
2017: New Songs, "American Dream" Release and Tour
In 2017, LCD Soundsystem debuted new songs, released "Call the Police" and "American Dream", announced their album "American Dream", and embarked on a world tour.
September 12, 2018: Spotify Singles and "Electric Lady Sessions" Teaser
On September 12, 2018, LCD Soundsystem released a Spotify Singles session and teased a live album, "Electric Lady Sessions", recorded at the same studio.
July 2021: James Murphy Discusses LCD Soundsystem's Hiatus
In July 2021, during an appearance on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast, James Murphy revealed that LCD Soundsystem was on a full hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no plans for new music or touring until another album is made.
October 2021: LCD Soundsystem Announces Brooklyn Steel Residency
LCD Soundsystem ended their hiatus in October 2021 by announcing a 20-date residency at Brooklyn Steel, scheduled for late November to late December 2021.
November 2021: Gavilán Rayna Russom Leaves LCD Soundsystem
In November 2021, synth player Gavilán Rayna Russom announced her departure from LCD Soundsystem to focus on other projects. She did not participate in the Brooklyn Steel residency.
December 2021: LCD Soundsystem Cancels Final Brooklyn Steel Shows
Due to the surge in COVID-19 Omicron variant cases in New York City, LCD Soundsystem canceled the last three dates of their Brooklyn Steel residency in December 2021.
December 2021: LCD Soundsystem Holiday Special Airs on Amazon Music
On December 22, 2021, Amazon Music aired "The LCD Soundsystem Holiday Special," a one-off, 1990s-style sitcom episode featuring comedians and actors portraying the band members, interspersed with a prerecorded live performance.
February 26, 2022: LCD Soundsystem Performs on Saturday Night Live
On February 26, 2022, LCD Soundsystem appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, performing older songs and appearing in a comedy sketch.
March 2022: LCD Soundsystem Focuses on Live Performances and DFA Anniversary Show
In March 2022, James Murphy announced the band's focus on live shows without a new album. The original members reunited for a DFA Records 20th anniversary performance. They also began a series of residency shows.
September 30, 2022: "New Body Rhumba" Released; Brooklyn Steel Residency Announced
LCD Soundsystem released the single "New Body Rhumba" on September 30, 2022, and announced another 20-date residency at Brooklyn Steel for late 2022.
December 2022: LCD Soundsystem's Brooklyn Steel Residency
In December 2022, LCD Soundsystem played a 20 date residency at Brooklyn Steel in New York.
January 31, 2023: LCD Soundsystem Announced as Re:SET Headliners
On January 31, 2023, LCD Soundsystem was announced as a headliner for the inaugural Re:SET Concert Series.