In the early 1990s, two French musicians, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, formed an indie rock band named Darlin’ alongside Laurent Brancowitz. The band’s name was inspired by the Beach Boys song of the same name. Darlin’ released a few tracks, including a cover of “Darlin'” and an original composition, which were featured on a compilation EP. However, the band’s music received a lukewarm reception.
A pivotal moment came when the British music magazine Melody Maker reviewed Darlin’s music, describing it as “a daft punky thrash.” While the critique was intended as a slight, Bangalter and de Homem-Christo found the phrase amusing and saw potential in it. Embracing the term, they adopted “Daft Punk” as the name for their new electronic music project.
This rebranding marked a significant shift in their musical direction. Moving away from indie rock, Bangalter and de Homem-Christo delved into electronic music, experimenting with drum machines and synthesizers. Their innovative approach and distinctive sound quickly gained attention, leading to the release of their debut single “The New Wave” in 1994. This track laid the foundation for their groundbreaking debut album, Homework, released in 1997.
The transformation from Darlin’ to Daft Punk illustrates how a negative review can be repurposed into a powerful brand identity. By embracing and redefining criticism, Bangalter and de Homem-Christo turned a disparaging remark into a name that would become synonymous with innovation in electronic music.