Indie rockers are riding high

Beats

CALIFORNIA indie rockers Silversun Pickups are riding on the crest of a wave after their new single wowed fans and critics alike.

The quartet — Brian Auvert (vocals) Nikki Manninger (bass) Joe Lester (keyboards) and Christopher Guanlao (drums) — used to be called A Couple of Couples.

The name Silversun Pickups came from a liquor store near their rehearsal rooms in Los Angeles. The band has been likened to The Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth and Johnny Marr’s band Modest Mouse.

NME describes new single “Panic Switch” as “a surging torrent of recklessly speeding drums and rough and sweet guitar washing around Brian Aubert’s oddly beautiful evil-child voice”.

Last week the band supported The Killers and The Kooks at London’s Hyde Park Hard Rock Calling Festival and they played at Coachella earlier this year.

In the past they’ve supported Snow Patrol, Foo Fighters and Kaiser Chiefs and now it’s time for them to be a huge success in their own right.

Silversun Pickups play Manchester’s Ruby Lounge on Thursday. Visit www.silversunpickups.com to find out more.