INTERPOL FACTS:
Members: Paul Banks, Sam Fogarino, Daniel Kessler
Genre: Indie Rock
Hometown: New York City, NY
Albums: Turn on the Bright Lights (2002); Antics (2004); Our Love to Admire (2007); Interpol (2010)
Awards:
Hits: "Slow Hands," "Evil," "The Heinrich Maneuver"
Other:
With a sound that's difficult to replicate, Interpol has emerged out of the post punk revival of the early 2000s to become one of the most critically acclaimed bands today. Thanks to the haunting vocals of Paul Banks and theircomplex sound, the band has formed a rabid fanbase over the years and has remained front and center in the music world.
Interpol was formed in the late '90s when guitarist Daniel Kessler was living in New York City and trying to put a band together. He ultimately crossed paths with the other three original members and the group soon took shape. In their early years, band released several EPs before finally signing a record deal in 2002. Later that year, Interpol released their debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights, which got them moving on the path to stardom.
Their debut was met with rave reviews from critics thanks to tracks such as "Obstacle 1" and "NYC." Many reviewers considered the record to be one of the best of the year, and Rolling Stone magazine placed it on the top 100 of the decade. Although it had little mainstream success, it broke the top five on the independent album charts.
Encouraged by the favorable response to their debut album, Interpol released their follow-up, Antics, in 2004. The record was met with the same critical acclaim but this time enjoyed a considerably larger response from fans. The album peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200 charts and produced a pair of popular mainstream hits - "Slow Hands" and "Evil" - both of which were favorites among modern rock circles.
After firmly entrenching themselves with critics and fans alike, the band went on an extensive tour and did not return to the studio for several years. But, in 2007 they unveiled their third album, Our Love to Admire. The record marked a departure from their typically dark sound, but was still a critical success and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 charts.
Most recently, the band released its self-titled fourth album in September 2010. Although two founding members have since left the group, Banks and Kessler remain, providing the band with its iconic sound. With a unique musical style and a history of quality, thought-provoking music, Interpol will certainly be around for years to come.