Art Brut Makes Us Want to Rock Out
While some members of Seattlest spent their Saturday night listening to a bunch of twee pussies, we were enjoying one of the punkest bands to emerge in many-a year (assuming the term "punk" still means something and/or can be used to describe an ethos). Art Brut put on one of the most entertaining shows we've seen in recent memory, thanks in large part to energetic, charismatic frontman Eddie Argos, who manages to be utterly charming even with his fly half-down. We want to be him, skeevy mustache and all, or at least buy him a drink or three.
Art Brut gave great show, starting out with "Formed a Band" and hitting all the high notes off of Bang Bang Rock and Roll, as well as throwing in a couple new tunes and the b-side "These Animal Menswe@r" (which can be found on the upcoming American release of the album). We thought it was really endearing that Argos addressed the band as "Art Brut," as in "Art Brut, ignore your setlist. The next song is 'Emily Kane.'" We're also glad that Argos isn't afraid to change things up live, whether it's amending the aforementioned song to state that he has recently seen Ms. Kane (at Christmas and six months before that); repeating that delicious Hennessey/Morrissey line in "Moving to L.A."; or getting the crowd to chant "Art! Brut! Top of the Pops!" during the encore. It is to the band's credit that they are able to keep up with him.
Towards the end of the set, Argos made a challenge to the audience, which we will roughly paraphrase here:
We're coming back to Seattle sometime soon! And I've got a great memory for faces. So when I see you again, I'm going to ask you a very important question: I'm in a band. Are you in a band?Dear people of Seattle, do not let Eddie down.
Special mention must be given to openers Gil Mantera's Party Dream, who are utterly ridiculous. If Art Brut makes music that is earnest in its irony, GMPD deals in over-the-top irony to the exxxtreme---hence the terrible fashion and the throwback 80s beats (not to mention the use of a vocoder). The tribal print on the tight leggings worn by one of the Ohio brothers nearly put our companion into an epileptic fit. We found their schtick to be pretty hilarious and the music ain't bad neither, but my eyes---my god, my eyes!
Pics care of intrepid photographer Gregory A. Perez.
