History

The group originally formed in Central Wisconsin in 2000, following the breakup of their previous band, The Pop Machine. Each member took a palindrome

Palindrome

A palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of units that can be read the same way in either direction, with general allowances for adjustments to punctuation and word dividers....

 as a pseudonym

Pseudonym

A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...

: 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

Alternative Press (music magazine)

Alternative Press is an American music magazine based in Cleveland, Ohio. It generally provides readers with band interviews, photos, information on upcoming releases, and music charts. It was founded in 1985 by Mike Shea, who is the current president....

 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

Nada Surf

Nada Surf is an American alternative rock band. Formed in 1992, the New York band consists of Matthew Caws , Ira Elliot and Daniel Lorca .-Early years:...

 had named their next album If I Had a Hi-Fi; in return, IfIHadAHiFi announced that their 2011 release would be titled Nada Surf.

At Die Kreuzen's

Die Kreuzen

Die Kreuzen was a rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin which was formed in 1981. The name is broken German for "the crosses", and was picked up by the band from a German Bible...

 2011 induction into the Wisconsin Area Music Industry

Wisconsin Area Music Industry

Wisconsin Area Music Industry is an American volunteer organization founded in 1980, and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its stated purpose is "to educate and recognize the achievements and accomplishments of individuals in the Wisconsin music industry." The organization is best known for its...

 (WAMI) Hall of Fame, they cited IfIHadAHiFi as a current band that they thought "should be in consideration for a WAMI."

Discography

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)