Interpol turns on the 'Bright Lights' (Created April 18, 2013)

With an eclectic mix of members, Interpol exploded onto the music scene with the album "Turn on the Bright Lights" in 2002. Known for its unusual visual presence of band members donning suits on stage, the alternative rockers from New York City regularly held court at venues like Brownie's and the Mercury Lounge until their act spilled overseas.

A brief tour of the UK in 2001, highlighted by a radio session for John Peel's BBC program, gained the band a wider audience. Their EP, "Precipitate," along with an appearance on a compilation album featuring Brooklyn-area acts helped land Interpol a deal with Matador Records in early 2002. By the end of the year their debut LP turned them into a successful indie rock act, and the band became well known for its sound of rhythmic, harmonized guitar, heavy snare drums and staccato bass.

Interpol toured after the release of "Turn on the Bright Lights," playing more dates and at bigger venues than they had ever stepped foot in before. Their "Antics" tour went 18 months, and they sometimes alternated headlining with opening for bands like The Cure and U2. When they returned to the studio to work on new material, the band went an entirely different direction on two fronts – it signed with major label Capitol Records and released "Our Love to Admire" in 2007, its first time including keyboard in the arrangements of their songs. Another headlining tour followed, including a stop at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago.

A self-titled album, the band's fourth studio effort, bowed on September 7, 2010. It also marked Dengler's departure, and he was replaced by a revolving door of musicians on bass and keyboard. After opening for U2 on their 360° Tour in 2011, Interpol announced a hiatus, with members of the band pursing separate projects.

The band was on hiatus through 2012, but is currently rehearsing new songs, according to their Twitter account.