Atoms for Peace

Atoms for Peace

Atoms for Peace is an experimental electronic and rock group formed in Los Angeles in 2009 and active since then. The line-up includes Thom Yorke on vocals, guitar and piano, Flea on bass guitar, Nigel Godrich on keyboards and synths, Joey Waronker on drums, and Mauro Refosco on percussion. The group is associated with crossover prog, electronic, electronic rock, electronica, experimental, and experimental electronic.

Formation and name

The group takes its name from both a 1953 speech by Dwight D. Eisenhower and a song from Yorke’s solo album The Eraser. On the band’s website, the phrase “Nerth Nuclerek? Na Vynnav” appears under the name; it is Cornish for “Nuclear Power? No Thanks” and relates to the Smiling Sun anti-nuclear power logo.

Members and background

Yorke is known as the lead singer of Radiohead, Flea as the bassist of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Godrich as a long-time Radiohead producer, Waronker for work with Beck and R.E.M., and Refosco as a Brazilian instrumentalist. The group forms around these musicians, with Yorke saying the members connect through a shared interest in afrobeat and describing the first album as the result of time spent together listening to Fela Kuti.

Release history

Their debut album, Amok, streams before its release in February 2013. It is the group’s best-known album and establishes their blend of experimental rock and electronic music.