The name Daft Punk was derived from a review in the British music magazine Melody Maker, which dubbed their first collaboration, the Beach Boys-inspired guitar group Darlin', "a bunch of daft punk." Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo would later abandon this indie rock setup (which included member Laurent Brancowitz) in favor of drum machines and synthesizers. In 1993 Daft Punk sent a demo to Scotland-based label Soma Recordings that formed the basis for their debut single "The New Wave", a limited release in 1994.

Their first commercially successful single "Da Funk" came the following year, and was later included on their 1997 debut album Homework. The album was regarded as an innovative synthesis of Techno, house, acid house and electro styles, and is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential dance music albums of the nineties. "Around the World" was the most successful single from Homework, known for its hypnotic chant of the song's title and distinctive music video directed by Michel Gondry. A collection of music videos for Homework was released in 1999 and titled D.A.F.T. - A Story about Dogs, Androids, Firemen and Tomatoes.

2001's Discovery took on a slicker and distinctly synth-pop oriented style, initially stunning fans of their previous material in Homework. The group states that the album was conceived as an attempt to re-connect with a playful, open minded attitude associated with the discovery phase of childhood. This accounts for the heavy use of themes and samples from the late '70s to early '80s era on the album. Interestingly enough, more than two tracks had unacknowledged samples. The album reached

2 in the UK, and its single "One More Time" was a major club hit, creating a new generation of fans mainly familiar with the sophomore Daft Punk release. The singles "Digital Love" and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" were also very successful in the UK and on the US dance chart, and "Face to Face" hit
1 on the US club play charts despite a limited single release. A 45-minute excerpt from a Daftendirektour performance recorded in Birmingham in 1997 was also released in 2001, entitled Alive 1997.

Daft Punk are noted for their use of visual components associated with their musical productions. The music videos for their singles from Homework featured memorable characters and were directed by cult video producers, including Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry. The album Discovery subsequently became the soundtrack to Interstella 5555. Many US fans were introduced to Daft Punk through a special presentation of their videos during Cartoon Network's Toonami block on August 31, 2001.

Their outward personae have also changed over time. During their Homework years, the duo would usually wear masks to hide their appearance. On some occasions they preferred to be replaced by animation (as they appeared in The Work of Director Michel Gondry DVD) or interviewed from the back of their heads when not wearing disguises (as shown in a video clip). Very few photos of the duo's faces exist, including a blurry one which can be found in Homeworks liner notes.

In their more visible Discovery years, and ever since, they have appeared as futuristic robots for publicity photo shoots, interviews, live shows and music videos. These costumes sport remarkably complicated helmets capable of various LED effects and metallic finger gloves. Thomas Bangalter once explained:



During a video interview shot in Japan, Daft Punk stated that they adorned their robot masks to easily merge the characteristics of humans and machines. However, Bangalter later admitted that the costumes were initially a result of shyness. "But then it became exciting from the audiences' point of view. It's the idea of being an average guy with some kind of superpower."Suzanne Ely, "Return of the Cybermen" Mixmag (July 2006)

With the release of Human After All, the musical duo's outfits became slightly less complicated, consisting of simplified versions of the Discovery head gear and black leather jumpsuits. The mystery of their identity and the elaborate nature of their disguises has added to their international popularity.