Chris Cohen joined Deerhoof on guitar in 2002, between Reveille's completion and release.

In contrast to Reveille's protracted, painstaking, and digital production process, 2003's Apple O' was played almost entirely live to tape in one nine-hour session with Jay Pellicci engineering.
Extinction, nuclear holocaust, invasive species, and the Greek god of music all figure prominently in the album's themes.
Karen O chose Apple O’ in the Rolling Stone 2003 Music Awards, Artists’ Top Albums, and the album received some critical praise, notably in the New York Times.
But in what was to become a pattern for Deerhoof, the album's critical appraisal improved with time, and Apple O' was later listed by Pitchfork as one of the top albums of the 2000s.
The anti-war themes of the record were underscored by Deerhoof's outspoken opposition to that year's invasion of Iraq.


By 2003 Deerhoof had become the longest-running band on Kill Rock Stars.
Matsuzaki was editing a Bay Area Japanese magazine, Cohen was waiting tables at a Thai restaurant, and Dieterich and Saunier were doing data entry for legal and consulting firms, but that year they all decided to quit their jobs simultaneously and focus on touring.
That year they contributed to Azadi!
A Benefit Compilation for the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan.
Saunier also released Nervous Cop, a collaboration album with Zach Hill and Joanna Newsom.

Deerhoof's next record took its inspiration from a crudely drawn character created by Japanese artist Ken Kagami.
2004's Milk Man the album featured an opulent, campy sound inspired by Broadway and Igor Stravinsky.
It was nominated for "Outstanding Alternative Album" in the California Music Awards, and stayed at #1 on the Dusted Radio Chart for six straight weeks, and reached #1 on the CMJ Core Chart.
Also in 2004 Deerhoof received the Editor's Choice Award from 7X7 Magazine, and was voted "Best Local Rock Band" by readers of SF Weekly.
In 2006 Milk Man was adapted to a children's ballet.

Deerhoof's next release was their first to be sung in Matsuzaki's native language of Japanese.
2005's mini-album Green Cosmos combined an orchestral sound with dance music styles.

Deerhoof spent several months in 2005 in a rented rehearsal space in Oakland, writing and recording daily as a full band.
When the result was released that fall, the double album The Runners Four featured each band member taking turns as vocalist, singing unusually wordy lyrics in which Arks and time capsules recur, as though foretelling that this would be the final recording of this lineup.
Instrumental roles were reversed for Matsuzaki (now on guitar) and Cohen (now on bass).

In 2006, Danielson released the critically acclaimed Ships, which featured Deerhoof as the backing band for many of the tracks.
Later that year, after an extensive world tour that ended at Coachella, Deerhoof composed and performed a live soundtrack to Harry Smith's hour-long animation masterpiece Heaven and Earth Magic at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
This was to be Cohen's last activity with Deerhoof.
The split was amicable and, to commemorate Cohen, Deerhoof posted a free EP on their website, one of several they have posted over the years.
Chris Cohen now records and tours as a solo act.
Chris Cohen joined Deerhoof on guitar in 2002, between Reveille's completion and release.
In contrast to Reveille's protracted, painstaking, and digital production process, 2003's Apple O' was played almost entirely live to tape in one nine-hour session with Jay Pellicci engineering. Extinction, nuclear holocaust, invasive species, and the Greek god of music all figure prominently in the album's themes. Karen O chose Apple O’ in the Rolling Stone 2003 Music Awards, Artists’ Top Albums, and the album received some critical praise, notably in the New York Times. But in what was to become a pattern for Deerhoof, the album's critical appraisal improved with time, and Apple O' was later listed by Pitchfork as one of the top albums of the 2000s. The anti-war themes of the record were underscored by Deerhoof's outspoken opposition to that year's invasion of Iraq.

By 2003 Deerhoof had become the longest-running band on Kill Rock Stars. Matsuzaki was editing a Bay Area Japanese magazine, Cohen was waiting tables at a Thai restaurant, and Dieterich and Saunier were doing data entry for legal and consulting firms, but that year they all decided to quit their jobs simultaneously and focus on touring. That year they contributed to Azadi! A Benefit Compilation for the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan. Saunier also released Nervous Cop, a collaboration album with Zach Hill and Joanna Newsom. 
Deerhoof's next record took its inspiration from a crudely drawn character created by Japanese artist Ken Kagami. 2004's Milk Man the album featured an opulent, campy sound inspired by Broadway and Igor Stravinsky. It was nominated for "Outstanding Alternative Album" in the California Music Awards, and stayed at #1 on the Dusted Radio Chart for six straight weeks, and reached #1 on the CMJ Core Chart. Also in 2004 Deerhoof received the Editor's Choice Award from 7X7 Magazine, and was voted "Best Local Rock Band" by readers of SF Weekly. In 2006 Milk Man was adapted to a children's ballet.
Deerhoof's next release was their first to be sung in Matsuzaki's native language of Japanese. 2005's mini-album Green Cosmos combined an orchestral sound with dance music styles. 
Deerhoof spent several months in 2005 in a rented rehearsal space in Oakland, writing and recording daily as a full band. When the result was released that fall, the double album The Runners Four featured each band member taking turns as vocalist, singing unusually wordy lyrics in which Arks and time capsules recur, as though foretelling that this would be the final recording of this lineup. Instrumental roles were reversed for Matsuzaki (now on guitar) and Cohen (now on bass). 
In 2006, Danielson released the critically acclaimed Ships, which featured Deerhoof as the backing band for many of the tracks. Later that year, after an extensive world tour that ended at Coachella, Deerhoof composed and performed a live soundtrack to Harry Smith's hour-long animation masterpiece Heaven and Earth Magic at the San Francisco International Film Festival. This was to be Cohen's last activity with Deerhoof. The split was amicable and, to commemorate Cohen, Deerhoof posted a free EP on their website, one of several they have posted over the years. Chris Cohen now records and tours as a solo act.
Deerhoof