TV on the Radio

TV on the Radio is an American experimental rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and soul music. TV on the Radio is composed of Tunde Adebimpe (vocals/loops), David Andrew Sitek (guitars/keyboards/loops), Kyp Malone (vocals/guitars/bass/loops) along with Jaleel Bunton (drums/vocals/loops/guitars) and Gerard Smith (bass/keyboards). On March 14, 2011, it was announced that the band's bassist, Gerard Smith, was diagnosed with lung cancer. Smith died on April 20, 2011.

The first album from TV on the Radio was the self-released demo “OK Calculator” (the title being a reference to Radiohead's album “OK Computer”). They then released the “Young Liars” EP on Touch & Go Records in 2003 to critical acclaim. The release featured the single “Staring at the Sun” which would later be remixed and reissued in their full-length album. It also contained a doo-wop version of “Mr. Grieves,” which was originally a rock song by Pixies from the album “Doolittle.”

They followed with their full-length debut on Touch & Go, “Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes” which earned the band the 2004 Shortlist Music Prize. They released a second EP, “New Health Rock,” later that year featuring the title track as well as a cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs song “Modern Romance.”

Their second studio album, “Return to Cookie Mountain,” was released in 2006 via 4AD, Interscope and Touch & Go. The album featured guest appearances from David Bowie, Celebration, Dragons of Zynth, Martin Perna and Stuart D. Bogie of Antibalas, Blonde Redhead and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner. Bowie contributed back-up vocals on the song “Province.” It peaked at #41 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. The single, “Wolf Like Me,” peaked at #37 on the Billboard Alternative Songs cart.

The band's third studio album, “Dear Science,” was released in September 2008 on Interscope. The album received widespread critical acclaim and went to #4 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart and Alternative Albums chart, as well as #12 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. In September 2009, Adebimpe announced that TV on the Radio would be taking a year long hiatus. In February 2011, the band announced an end to their hiatus and in April released their fifth studio album, “Nine Types of Light.” In advance of the album, the band released the singles, “Will Do” and “Caffeinated Consciousness.” The album debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Alternative Albums chart while reaching #5 on the Rock Albums chart.

After a break in 2011 the group has reunited and are producing albums.