LOS ANGELES — It’s not often a truly independent artist reaches the #2 spot on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Songs chart and Silversun Pickups have done just that with lead single, "Panic Switch." Culled from their Dangerbird Records' release "Swoon," this song is the highest ranked by an artist on an independently distributed label since Everlast's "What It’s Like" hit #1 in December 1998. The Pickups have set their sights on the #1 position, currently occupied by rock giants, Green Day.
Since 1994, only three songs by artists on independently distributed labels have reached the chart's top two: The Offspring's "Come Out And Play (Keep 'Em Separated)" [#1, July 1994], the aforementioned Everlast, and now Silversun Pickups this week. "Panic Switch" has continually ascended the chart since its release at this radio format 12 weeks ago.
"Swoon" made a most impressive debut at #7 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart in April and remains in the Top 100 for the sixth week. Previously, the band’s first LP, "Carnavas," spawned two Top 10 radio hits, "Lazy Eye" (#5) and "Well Thought Out Twinkles" (#9), and surpassed the 350,000 sales mark.
Silversun Pickups will continue to make appearances at festivals this summer, interspersed with touring overseas. This Thursday, June 4, they will perform live on KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic."
SILVERSUN PICKUPS LIVE SHOWS
August 2 - Jersey City, N.J. @ All Points West
August 9 - Chicago, Ill. @ Lollapalooza
August 28 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Outside Lands Festival
August 29 - San Diego, Calif. @ San Diego Street Scene
