The Flaming Lips

American rock band The Flaming Lips formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983. After several independent releases in the 1980s and early 1990s through indie label Restless, the band signed to Warner Brothers, releasing their major-label debut Hit to Death in the Future in 1992. The band's 1999 album The Soft Bulletin was NME magazine's Album of the Year, and 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots was a mainstream hit for the band. The Flaming Lips have won three Grammy Awards, including two for Best Rock Instrumental Performance and in 2002 they were placed on Q magazine 's list of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die".