Band created in 2002 in the city of Los Angeles, Silversun Pickups had its formation established with Brian Aubert (guitar, vocals), Nikki Monninger (bass, vocals), Christopher Guanlao (drums) and Joe Lester (keyboards), with their music supported on influences from bands like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies and The Velvet Underground.

In July 2005, Silversun Pickups released the EP Pikul. A year later came the first album, Carnavas. Between 2006 and 2007, the band opened for OK Go and Snow Patrol in the US and Foo Fighters and Kaiser Chiefs in Europe.

The second album, Swoon, came out in 2009, featuring the single “Panic Switch”. In 2012, the band released Neck of the Woods, an album produced by Jacknife Lee (R.E.M., The Drums, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party). Lee also produced the follow-up album Better Nature, released in 2015.

Produced by Butch Vig, Widow's Weeds, Silversun Pickups' fifth album, was released in June 2019. The band returned in 2022 with Physical Thrills.