Paik formed in 1996 when guitarist Rob Smith, bassist Ali Clegg, and drummer Ryan Pritts began to collaborate in Michigan's burgeoning space rock music scene. The trio released their debut, Hugo Strange, in 1998 on Beyonder Records. In 1999, the Spacer EP was released, again on Beyonder. In 2001, Paik released Corridors, their most ambitious record to date. The band contributed tracks to two compilations, including Noise Factory Records' Beautiful Noise...the Apocalypse in 1999 and Datacarbon Records' Across Woodward, Vol. 1 in 2001. By this point, their live shows were nearly legendary, including smoke, mirrors, light shows, and films to add to the music's complex and surreal qualities. By 2002, the band had received critical acclaim worldwide for their spaced-out brand of instrumental rock, and in 2002 released The Orson Fader on Clairecords. Two years later, after a move to Strange Attractors, Paik issued their fourth album, Satin Black, which was followed by 2006's Monster of the Absolute. ~ Stephen Cramer