Chromeo

Chromeo is an electro-funk duo from Montréal, Canada, active since 2001. The group centres on Dave 1, also known as David Macklovitch, and P-Thugg, also known as Patrick Gemayel. Other members associated with the act include Aaron Draper, Eugene Roberts, Eric Whatley and Rashid Williams.

Formation and members

Dave 1 and P-Thugg are childhood friends, and the group forms officially in 2002. Dave 1 handles guitar and lead vocals, while P-Thugg plays keyboards, synthesizers and talk box. Chromeo also describes itself as a collaboration between Arab and Jewish backgrounds. David Macklovitch is the older brother of A-Trak, whose birth name is Alain Macklovitch.

Albums, releases and collaborations

Their debut album, She’s In Control, appears in 2004 and includes the club tracks “Needy Girl”, “Mercury Tears”, “Rage!” and “Destination: Overdrive”. In 2005 they release a mix CD of dance-oriented tracks, Un Joli Mix Pour Toi (A Pretty Mix For You), on Eskimo Belgium records. Their second album, Fancy Footwork, appears in 2007; Chromeo produce it themselves with help from Tiga, and Philippe Zdar of Cassius mixes it. The album leads to a two-year world tour.

Chromeo contributes to K7’s DJ-Kicks: Chromeo mix series. They also record the so-called “world’s smallest album”, Drive Time, which consists of 55 songs in 183 seconds and is later revealed as a free musical Nokia Own Voice satellite navigation pack for Ovi Maps, intended for compatible Nokia phones. A red vinyl 5-inch single is issued to promote it, with regular, instrumental and a cappella versions of “Turn Left” and “Follow”.

Touring, festivals and other projects

In early 2007 Chromeo supports Bloc Party on their British tour. Their touring cycle for Fancy Footwork includes performances at Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Fuji Rock, Iceland Airwaves, Pemberton Music Festival, Coachella, Bonnaroo, Rothbury Festival and Lollapalooza.

Other notes

Chromeo’s song “Fancy Footwork” is used in a VO5 Extreme Hair Gel advertisement in the UK. “Don’t Turn The Lights On” appears in FIFA 11 and later in Dirt 3, while “Bonified Lovin” in Yuksek’s remix appears in FIFA 09. David Macklovitch is earning a Ph.D. in French literature from Columbia University and teaches undergraduate French classes there.