Punk Pilfering

Recorded during a concert in Paris, Daft Punks Alive 2007 CD documents the French duos first tour in almost a decade and appears 10 years after Homework, their now-classic debut. Lucky fans who have experienced a recent DP show -- a burlesque of choreographed LED displays, bowel-loosening beats, and robot theatrics -- know it was well worth the wait. Daft Punks influence on pop culture since 1997 is undeniable. Behold five pop artifacts that owe their existence to the Daft oeuvre: MADONNA VS. DAFT PUNK Da Funk Music (2001) A match made in disco heaven, this brilliant mash-up (readily available online) of Da Funk and Madonnas Music is the best bootleg remix ever. And if you think thats an overstatement, you just havent heard it yet. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM Daft Punk Is Playing at My House (2005) After name-checking the Daft boys in the 2002 single Losing My Edge, LCD front man James Murphy created this Grammy-nominated instant-party jam -- complete with a cowbell solo! Its about a radio contest winner. Or a stalker. Or a teenager with multiple personality disorder. BUSTA RHYMES Touch It (2006) Cribbing the robot-voice hook from Technologic, Bustas club anthem took it to number 2 on the U.S. rap chart. Then Missy Elliott referenced it in the inevitable onslaught of remixes. KANYE WEST Stronger (2007) West swiped not only the hook from Discoverys Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger but Daft Punks sound, and the DP robots cameo in the video. And for reason we cant quite explain, West raps, Heard theyd do anything for a Klondike / Well, Id do anything for a blond dyke. FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Humans Are Dead (2007) In the pilot episode of their cult HBO comedy series, the hapless New Zealand electro-folk duo attempt to make a music video as cool space-age robots like Daft Punk. Their manager, Murray, gives them chintzy cardboard box suits instead. Total buzz kill.