Superbus

French rock band Superbus came together in 1999 when frontwoman Jennifer Ayache—daughter of actress Chantal Lauby—returned after seven years in the U.S. The initial lineup was co-founded by guitarist Michel Giovannetti and bassist François Even, with guitarist Patrice Focone and drummer Guillaume Roussé joining later. Although the group drew inspiration from the sonic and visual style of pre-Beatles rock & roll, Ayache selected the name from an unrelated source after encountering the Latin word “superbus,” signifying proud and superior, in a dictionary. Superbus released its first album, Aéromusical, in spring 2002; the LP charted modestly in France, yet the 2004 successor Pop 'n' Gum marked a commercial breakthrough by spawning the hits “Radio Song” and “Little Hily.” Early in 2005 Roussé departed, and once Greg Jacks took over on drums the five-piece recorded its third album, the 2006 Top Ten smash Wow.