Atoms for Peace is the latest super group to grace the stage in this post-alternative rock musical world. Thom Yorke of Radiohead developed the side project while working on his solo album, The Eraser, in 2006. Eventually Flea, the bassist from Red Hot Chili Peppers; Nigel Godrich, a producer working with Radiohead that also plays guitar and keyboard; Joey Waronker, a drummer for hire that has played with R.E.M., Beck, and the Smashing Pumpkins; and Mauro Refosco, a drummer and percussionist from Forro in the Dark joined the lead singer on stage at the Echoplex in Los Angeles to sell the first live Atoms for Peace tickets on October 2, 2009.

The group existed in rumor for a few months leading up to that first show, but it was not until that opening night that the group played under any other name other than Thom Yorke's new live band. The band played tracks from Yorke's solo album in 2006, naming the collection of well-respected rock musicians after a track from that album and the 1953 speech by President Eisenhower, Atoms for Peace.