See all 3 photos

The Airborne Toxic Event

On Tour

161,803 plays
11,746 listeners
In your library (0 plays)

Los Angeles, United States (2006 – present)

The Airborne Toxic Event is an alternative rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2006. The band consists of Mikel Jollett (vocals, guitar), Steven Chen (guitar, keyboards), Anna Bulbrook (viola, keyboards), Noah Harmon (bass) and Daren Taylor (drums)

Their name might reference post-modern novelist Don Delillo’s White Noise, but Los Angeles, California’s the Airborne Toxic Event are hardly a group of detached intellectuals commenting from the sidelines. Formed in the wake of a series of personal tragedies in the life of front-man Mikel Jollett, the band has gathered a reputation for one of the most exciting and energetic live shows in years. Stomping, screaming, wailing, crooning through bony rock songs and enormous dark anthems, the band embodies the desire to live life fully in the face of a world saturated with media and fear. The Cali five-piece’s eponymous debut EP includes nods to rock music’s most transcendent tidbits: subtle
references to the sad-eyed melancholy of the Cure, the balled-fist intensity of the Fall, and the art school disaffection of the Velvet Underground.

In just six short months, the band has already toured the UK, become west coast radio darlings, and shared the stage with Silversun Pickups, Kaiser Chiefs, Dios Malos, and the Horrors. If you don’t know them yet, you will soon…

Tagged as:

indie, indie rock, rock, american, la rock
See more…

1	Sometime around Midnight full track	883
2	Gasoline full track	390
3	Does This Mean You're Moving On? full track	373
4	Wishing Well full track	372
5	Papillon full track	284
6	Missy full track	258
7	Happiness Is Overrated full track	252
8	Innocence full track	244
9	This is Nowhere full track	176
10	Something New full track	167
11	Someting New	94
12	This Nowhere	85
13	The Girls in Their Summer Dresses full track	62
14	Does This Mean You're Moving On	47
15	Wishing Well - Final Mastered full track	37

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).

Acquiescence wrote:
last month

I just discovered this band today, they really are something. Of particular note is 'Sometime Around Midnight', such an immense song. That orchestral intro gets me everytime.

View Profile | Leave Acquiescence a shout
Stagnelius wrote:
last month

The singer reminds me of Marlon Brando

View Profile | Leave Stagnelius a shout
Davetate wrote:
last month

Played with these guys on wed! Really nice guys (and girl) And awesome performers

View Profile | Leave Davetate a shout
jess_gerow wrote:
last month

i completely agree with the person who said it sounds like okkervil's 'for real'. both songs are equally great.

View Profile | Leave jess_gerow a shout
earlofsuave wrote:
last month

If you get a chance to see these amazing guys ( & girl ) live...DO !!! Don't hesitate, don't think ..just DO ! They are amazing and all you'll hear from your mates is " Wow, you should've gone to that "... Hearing ' Sometime Around Midnight ' really IS as good as you'll think it'll be !! I'm still giddy about seeing them 4 days ago!!! Thanks guys that was awesome ! Literally !

View Profile | Leave earlofsuave a shout
Giai wrote:
last month

GOD I love these guys. And I'm seeing them open for Franz in Dec. Can't wait. <3

View Profile | Leave Giai a shout
KevinCVelasquez wrote:
last month

Missed them in Boston too. Walked into Newbury around 2:30 or 3 and saw a sign that they were playing live there at 12 or something. Missed them by a matter of hours.

View Profile | Leave KevinCVelasquez a shout
YNP4me wrote:
last month

Great sound, great lyrics... my favorite right now!

View Profile | Leave YNP4me a shout
SheWhoSees wrote:
October 2008

drat! I just missed them in Boston!! This band is phenom...spread the word!

View Profile | Leave SheWhoSees a shout
taker137 wrote:
October 2008

Love the band heard them on Lovelines an have to say great band an group of people. Cant waite to see them in concert.

View Profile | Leave taker137 a shout
ECCasey wrote:
October 2008

heard them at Pemberton in Canada and loved them. wish they would come back to vancouver!! amazing potential, good album.

View Profile | Leave ECCasey a shout
NightHawk163 wrote:
October 2008

sometime around midnight reminds me of for real by okkervil river

View Profile | Leave NightHawk163 a shout
FightforFreedom wrote:
October 2008

Usually prefer live to studio? Then check this group out. http://www.last.fm/group/Live+is+better+than+Studio

View Profile | Leave FightforFreedom a shout
ollywinkles wrote:
October 2008

remind me of the killers.

View Profile | Leave ollywinkles a shout
reptiletongue wrote:
October 2008

i met these guys cuz they did a showing at 'Newbury Comics' and they are the sweetest things! all of them were so nice and thats how i get introduced to their album

View Profile | Leave reptiletongue a shout
PeeweeM wrote:
October 2008

Just heard these guys on KCRW were Nic Harcourt had them in the studio. AMAZING! Gave me goosebumps and now I want the album badly :)

View Profile | Leave PeeweeM a shout
CrimsonRage wrote:
October 2008

<3 their music, the violin solo in "Sometime around Midnight" reminds me of the intro for "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" by Stars, simply beautiful

View Profile | Leave CrimsonRage a shout
gavinholl wrote:
October 2008

lauren, i totally agree about the open letter to pitchfork. i laughed my ass off when i read it. it made me happy inside. :)

View Profile | Leave gavinholl a shout
Jwinter25 wrote:
October 2008

When i first heard Sometime Around Midnight i was stunned how good it was....Then i bought their debut LP and was blown away. With the exception of Papillon (not my Favorite), their album is great and an instant classic.

View Profile | Leave Jwinter25 a shout
beRidiculous wrote:
September 2008

awesome show in new orleans...fuckin loved it!

View Profile | Leave beRidiculous a shout