| IfIHadAHifi | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States |
| Genres | Noise Rock, Post-Punk |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Latest Flame, No Karma |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| Dr. Awkward Mr. Alarm Yale Delay Rev. Ever (2007–present) |
|
| Past members | |
| Noise Lesion (2000-2001) Reno Loner (2001-2007) |
|
IfIHadAHiFi is a noise rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The group originally formed in Central Wisconsin in 2000, following the breakup of their previous band, The Pop Machine. Each member took a palindrome as a pseudonym: Dr. Awkward (drums), Mr. Alarm (bass) and Yale Delay (guitar). All three founding members share vocals. Shortly after forming, they expanded to a quartet with the addition of Noise Lesion (synth, sound effects).
In 2001, IfIHadAHiFi released Ones and Zeroes, their debut album, on Milwaukee's No Karma Records. The album was reviewed favorably in Pitchfork, Milk Magazine, Splendid and Slide the Needle. Shortly after the record's release, Noise Lesion was replaced by Reno Loner (synth, guitar) and the group began regularly touring the US.
Their second album, No More Music, was released on No Karma in 2004. It received strong reviews from Rockpile, Read Magazine (where it was an Editor's Pick), Devil in the Woods, Skyscraper, and Splendid. Following No More Music, Alternative Press named IfIHadAHiFi as one of their "Bands You Need to Know" in 2005.
Crustacean Records released Hot Nuggets!, an IfIHadAHiFi/Modern Machines split CD/LP, in 2006. Each band performed six songs - one new song, one cover of the other band, and four additional covers.
In 2007, Reno Loner was replaced by Rev. Ever (synth, guitar). The group worked on a planned EP, Tragedy Breeds Success, throughout 2006 and 2007, but these recordings were shelved in favor of a new album. Fame By Proxy was recorded in late 2007 and released the following year on Latest Flame Records.
While writing new material, the band learned that Nada Surf had named their next album If I Had a Hi-Fi; in return, IfIHadAHiFi announced that their 2011 release would be titled Nada Surf.[1]
At Die Kreuzen's 2011 induction into the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Hall of Fame, they cited IfIHadAHiFi as a current band that they thought "should be in consideration for a WAMI."[2]
Ones and Zeroes (No Karma Recordings, June 2001)
No More Music (Contraphonic / No Karma Recordings, March 2004)
Hot Nuggets! Split LP with the Modern Machines (Crustacean Records, April 2006)
Fame By Proxy (Latest Flame Records, September 2008)
Nada Surf EP (Latest Flame Records, TBA 2011)