The Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo formed by Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons in Manchester in 1989. Known for their innovative approach to electronic dance music, they are pioneers of the big beat genre. The duo has produced numerous iconic tracks and albums that blend electronic, rock, and psychedelic influences. Their energetic performances and visually stunning live shows have made them a staple of the global festival circuit, and they are widely recognized as one of the most influential acts in electronic music.
1989: Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons form The Chemical Brothers, initially performing as DJs under the name "The Dust Brothers," inspired by the American production duo.
1995: Debut album Exit Planet Dust is released after a name change to The Chemical Brothers. The album is well-received and establishes them in the UK electronic scene.
1997: Dig Your Own Hole is released, featuring hits like "Block Rockin' Beats" and "Setting Sun" (with Noel Gallagher). The album reaches No. 1 on the UK charts and gains international success.
1999: Surrender is released, including the singles "Hey Boy Hey Girl" and "Let Forever Be." It receives widespread acclaim and further solidifies their reputation.
2002: Release of Come with Us, featuring collaborations with Richard Ashcroft and Beth Orton. The album maintains their popularity and features the hit single "Star Guitar."
2005: Push the Button is released, featuring the Grammy-winning track "Galvanize" (with Q-Tip). The album achieves both commercial success and critical acclaim.
2007: We Are the Night is released, winning a Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album. The album includes "Do It Again" and "The Salmon Dance."
2010: Further is released, focusing on a more psychedelic sound with fewer guest artists. The album is accompanied by a visual experience crafted for each track.
2015: Release of Born in the Echoes, which includes collaborations with St. Vincent, Beck, and Q-Tip. It reaches No. 1 on the UK charts.
2019: No Geography is released, winning multiple awards and featuring the hit "Got to Keep On." The album receives praise for returning to their roots and exploring new sounds.
Notable Collaborations: Worked with Noel Gallagher, Q-Tip, Beck, Richard Ashcroft, St. Vincent, and Beth Orton.
Known for fusing rock elements with electronic beats, which allowed them to collaborate with artists across different genres.
2006: Best Dance Recording for "Galvanize" (featuring Q-Tip)
2008: Best Electronic/Dance Album for We Are the Night
2020: Best Dance/Electronic Album for No Geography
2020: Best Dance Recording for "Got to Keep On"
1996: The duo is forced to change their name from "The Dust Brothers" to "The Chemical Brothers" due to a conflict with the American production team of the same name.
2012: The Chemical Brothers compose the score for the Olympics cycling events, creating a new composition specifically for the London 2012 Games.
2021: The duo’s music video for "Got to Keep On," directed by Michel Gondry, gains attention for its surreal visual effects and choreography, further highlighting their long-standing collaboration with renowned video directors.