The self-proclaimed house-with-guitars unit known as <> formed in 1995 around the French duo of Jean-Philippe Freu and Patrice "Patou" Carrié, from the ashes of two indie bands. Recording for the Spanish label Elefant, the pair released an eponymous debut soon after coming together (recorded with help from programmer Johnny Palumbo), then assembled a seven-piece band to tour the country. Soon, the French major label PIAS signed the duo and released the EP Le Mobilier in 1998. A support gig for Underworld in Paris cemented the group's rather tenuous credentials in t...