The Flaming Lips have been staples of the alt-rock psychedelic scene for more than 20 years since their formation in Oklahoma City in 1983. They have won three Grammys and were nominated for a Brit award in 2007.
Founder members Wayne Coyne (singer) and Michael Irvins (guitarist ) plus drummer Steven Drozd form the core of the band and recorded numerous albums and EPs throughout the '80s and early '90s. But it was the single “She Don't Use Jelly ” - used on hit TV shows Beverly Hills 90210 and MTV's Beavis & Butt-head - that precipitated their breakthrough into more mainstream waters. Coupled with a legendary live show that made use of pyrotechnics, puppets, animal suits, giant hands and confetti, the band built a dedicated fanbase with major support from the UK and Europe.
The 1999 album “The Soft Bulletin” featured a raft of catchy songs, quirky lyrics and orchestrated sounds, inviting comparisons to The Beach Boys' “Pet Sounds” and was lauded as album of the decade in some quarters. The follow-up, 2002's “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots ”, received even more plaudits and went gold soon after release. The album's closer, “Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon (Utopia Planitia) ”, bagged a Grammy .
The Grammy-wining album “At War with the Mystics”, released in 2006, featured more guitars and political lyrics, a live show featuring a huge UFO and the so-dumb-it's-brilliant single "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song". .