By now it’s old news that Daft Punk tagged a motley crew of collaborators for their fourth studio album, Random Access Memories. Nile Rodgers, Pharrell Williams, Panda Bear, Julian Casablancas, Todd Edwards, DJ Falcon, Chilly Gonzales, Paul Williams, and the loveable ol’ Giorgio Moroder all make up the laundry list of five-star talent. Though, if you’re familiar with the French duo’s fascinating and sometimes confusing history, you’ll know they’ve been hosts to enviable company in years past. On the off chance that you didn’t know, we thought we’d offer a brief tutorial of their past while you listen in on their future.
Darlin’ – 1992
Before Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter donned their helmets to become Daft Punk, and prior to Laurent Brancowitz joining his younger brother Christian Mazzalai to complete Phoenix, there was Darlin’. Formed in 1992, Bangalter slapped the bass, de Homem-Christo commanded the guitar, and Brancowitz attacked the drums for the Beach Boys-inspired rock group. Releasing just four original songs (which hit the shelves via compilation albums from the Duophonic and Banana Split imprints) and only making two live appearances, Darlin’ would most likely have been forgotten in the annals of time if the members hadn’t gone onto more grandiose endeavors. And as legend has it, if it wasn’t for a negative Melody Maker review that dubbed Darlin’s music “a daft punky thrash”, there may have never been a Daft Punk. -Derek Staples
