‘They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong’ – Out 24th May

New Single From Acclaimed Album ‘It’s Frightening’

“Beguiling, coherent and memorable” MOJO
“A winning balance of art-indie and pop energy” Q
“Deserves attention from start to finish” The Fly
“They’ve pulled a great album out of the hat” The Sun

Later… With Jools Holland performance – 18th / 21st May

UK TOUR INCLUDING Relentless Garage, 19th May

White Rabbits release ‘They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong’ on 24th May – the shimmering follow-up to the explosive ‘Percussion Gun’ and second cut from their acclaimed new album ‘It’s Frightening’ and will appear on the new series of Later… With Jools Holland, on air on 18th and 21st May.

Following the band’s short but hugely impactful run of London shows in February, White Rabbits return to the UK for a tour that will begin with Brighton’s Great Escape on 13th May and ends with what will be a must-see show at The Garage on 19th May before the band travel to Europe for further shows.

‘Dramatic’ said The Times in their 4* review of the sextet’s recent headline ICA show, while The Independent declared the performance ‘Remarkable’ in their glowing 5* review.

Written by White Rabbits, produced by Britt Daniel, and recorded in their hometown of Brooklyn, ‘They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong’ is an epic slice of free flowing, piano led rock, wrapped in a contagious and enduring melody. The tracks features lead singer Stephen Patterson’s rasping vocals and a haunting yet driving bassline. The single comes backed with Rudie Fails, recorded live in London.

White Rabbits are: Stephen Patterson (vocals/piano), Jamie Levinson (drums), Matthew Clark (drums, guitar), Alex Even (guitar, vocals), Gregory Roberts (guitar/vocals) and Brian Betancourt (bass).

13 May – Brighton Great Escape, Coalition
14 May – Bristol, Cooler – £8
15 May – Manchester, Night & Day – £8
16 May – Glasgow, Stereo – £8
19 May – London, Relentless Garage – £10

Tickets can be purchased from http://www.artistticket.com/link/?s=white+rabbits

www.whiterabbitsmusic.com

‘They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong’ Out 17th May

New Single From Acclaimed Album ‘It’s Frightening’

“Beguiling, coherent and memorable” MOJO
“A winning balance of art-indie and pop energy” Q
“Deserves attention from start to finish” The Fly
“They’ve pulled a great album out of the hat” The Sun

London Show Announced – Relentless Garage, 19th May

White Rabbits release ‘They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong’ on 17th May – the shimmering follow-up to the explosive ‘Percussion Gun’ and second cut from their acclaimed new album ‘It’s Frightening’.

Following the band’s short but hugely impactful run of London shows last month, White Rabbits return to the capital for what will be a must-see show at The Garage on 19th May.

‘Dramatic’ said The Times in their 4* review of the sextet’s recent headline ICA show, while The Independent declared the performance ‘Remarkable’ in their glowing 5* review.

Written by White Rabbits, produced by Britt Daniel, and recorded in their hometown of Brooklyn, ‘They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong’ is an epic slice of free flowing, piano led rock, wrapped in a contagious and enduring melody. The tracks features lead singer Stephen Patterson’s rasping vocals and a haunting yet driving bassline. The single comes backed with Rudie Fails, recorded live in London.

White Rabbits are: Stephen Patterson (vocals/piano), Jamie Levinson (drums), Matthew Clark (drums, guitar), Alex Even (guitar, vocals), Gregory Roberts (guitar/vocals) and Brian Betancourt (bass).

www.whiterabbitsmusic.com

Words and photos by Marcus Maschwitz

First off this review isn’t really going to compare White Rabbits against Hockey because they are super different but I just used that as the title because I feel that White Rabbits were too good to be considered an opening band tonight. Maybe I am biased but that’s how I feel.

Koko tonight was completely sold out and I haven’t seen it this full in a while. The crowd seems really excited but open minded and ready to have a good time except for one dick licker (excuse me) who must have got the wrong invite and came to the show to start fights. Not sure what that’s all about but I guess it happens. I never really experience this as shows and always consider the time in a venue with a band to be a good time so this dampened my spirits right away. Luckily someone put him in his place.

White Rabbits began setting the stage on their own making sure that everything was in the right place so that they could come out and destroy their instruments. NOTE: They don’t actually destroy their instruments but rather play them with more heart and passion than I’ve ever seen to date except possibly for this last time I saw them play)

It’s obvious that majority of the crowd isn’t familiar with their stuff and aren’t sure what to expect and after the first song it sounds like the crowd around me has learnt a new language (F@$K YES). I realize now that Matt has a broken hand and I’m not sure what he is thinking but it has no negative effect on his performance and they breeze through their set with ease as if nothing could ever stand in their way. Not only that but they all seem to be having fun playing and I love that. These six guys are so tight on stage that they almost seem like one artist and they can play each others instruments just as good as their own while being one of few bands to make playing a tambourine look cool.

Besides a few broken strings and some guitar cable issues for Gregory Roberts the show is great and when they finish I hear people speaking and agree that “with a set like they there is no way they won’t become huge soon”. I almost wonder if I’ll ever get bored of these guys but I know that can never happen unless they all lose interest. My only fault is that their set was a bit short but this is because they were a support slot.

After a short wait the lights dim and the guys from Hockey slowly make their way on stage. I am really new to their stuff but I’ve been really excited all week to see them live because of the stuff I’ve heard. They start off with Work and it’s got such a fun feel and groove about it that I find myself immediately tapping my foot and trying to sing along to a song I don’t even know (you’ve all seen the person I’m talking about at a show, on the tube or in the car next to you). Bassist, Jeremy Reynolds, is playing a really different way to bands I’ve seen before but the sound he’s creating is amazing.

As with most Portland born bands the guys have a cool look about them and they experiment with sounds making sure their tones are different and they’ve definitely created a sound that’s theirs. They make their way through greats that include Wanna Be Black, 3am Spanish and Song Away and the whole time people are singing a long and moving which is always a great sign. Fron tman, Benjamin Grubin, comes across quirky but in a ways that most people tonight want to be like him. My favourite of their set has to be Too Fake which I know the best and it felts as if I had been waiting all night for them to play it.

Hockey are great live, really great and their show tonight has convinced me to want to get their albums. I can’t believe I am only discovering these guys now. It’s really exciting but almost a pity that I’ve missed out until now.

All in all tonight … at Koko … was a night to remember … a good night with a lot of energy and proof that live music is what it’s all about. Both bands have great recorded works but they both over power these with their live performances. Make sure to check them out. Make sure to learn the words and MAKE SURE to see them live. You’re missing
out until you do.

I want to again stress that I am not comparing these two awesome bands so please don’t take this review personally and rather take my advice and make sure to check out both bands.

White Rabbits signed to TBD Records (US home to Radiohead/Other Lives/Hatcham Social) and erected a makeshift studio in their basement rehearsal space to demo new material. Band members popped in and out over the course of several months lending ideas and personality to a new batch of songs that defy instant categorization. After enlisting tourmate, friend and songwriter Britt Daniel (Spoon) as producer, the pair began the process of exchanging demos between Brooklyn and Portland. White Rabbits recorded It’s Frightening over the course of four weeks, only taking a break to play the Transmusicales Festival in Rennes, France. The sessions were recorded by visionary engineer Nicholas Vernhes (Animal Collective, Deerhunter) at Rare Book Room in Brooklyn, NY. Taking special care to recreate the unhinged nature of the original demos, the band utilized the wide range of tools in the analog-friendly studio to shape the personal spirit infused in the new tracks. Upon the completion of tracking, White Rabbits traveled to Austin, TX to mix the record with studio wizard Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail Of Dead) using his exceptional ears to transform It’s Frightening into a uniquely rewarding headphone experience.

It’s Frightening plays like a classic reel of tape from start to finish. Opening with the visceral drums of “Percussion Gun,” it is clear that time-off from the road has served the band well. The many highlights include the emotional centerpiece “Company I Keep,” the new sonic territory of “Lionesse” and the macabre lyrics of “Right Where They Left.” Fans of Fort Nightly will find much to go weak in the knees over and new listeners are in for an awakening as White Rabbits flip the switch on an already impressive beginning. It’s Frightening is a journey into the playfully dark musings of Everyman.

The lineup : Stephen Patterson (vox/piano), Jamie Levinson (drums), Matthew Clark (drums, guitar), Alex Even (guitar), Gregory Roberts (guitar/vox). A U.S. tour will follow the May release of It’s Frightening.

www.myspace.com/whiterabbits
www.whiterabbitsmusic.com

Words by Brendan Monteiro / Photos by Marcus Maschwitz

The hustle and bustle of the city life is neatly tucked away just outside The Lexington tonight, situated close enough to one of the busiest streets in the city. Inside the mood however is calm, maybe even somber as the New York six piece prepare all their gear with barely a reaction from the crowd. Within minutes everything is ready and each member makes their way to their designated slice of the stage, still not much reaction. Soon enough delays are whizzing their way around the venue the band ease themselves into Rudie Fails, soon the delays peel back and the drums squeeze themselves through, filling every vacant void in the room. Midway through and the piano cracks it’s beautiful voice through the other layers of Rudie Falls, setting the standard for an amazing set.

The momentum continues into the next song, by now Matthew Clark and Jamie Levinson are playing on pretty much every bit of their drums except the legs. Stephen Patterson busts out another fine piano bit and all I can think while watching, is if fingers actually wore down he’d probably be on his eleventeenth pair by now. The drums are definitely a driving force in their live show and by the time Kid On My Shoulder it’s thrusting along with so much force, Brian Betancourt has left his post to join Matthew for a drum duel , I honestly didn’t think the drums could get any louder but I was wrong. The song finishes of in a sort of standoff of vocals versus percussion with Jamie, Mathew and Brian in the back creating a wall of noise for Stephen, Greg and Alex to lay some magical harmonies to.

The Plot is next and Greg stands singing his heart out while the rest of the band whirlwind around each other. Greg may be small and seems so timid but his voice is strong and adds more wind behind White Rabbits sails. Matthew is by now in a trance like state, adding a hand to the keys, jamming tambourine with another and every now and again slamming on Jamie’s cymbals. One of the reoccurring lines from The Plot is “he’s not impressed” but honestly I don’t think a soul could ever think that of this song. It gleams and shimmers in an already impressive set.

as the next song rolls in my brain is almost freezing, there is just so much going on in front of me. There is so little room on stage for a two piece let alone a 6 piece but they make it look comfortable, they make the stage their own and totally dominate it. Midway both Alex and Greg are on their knees tweaking out the weirdest sound scapes from their pedals while the rest of the band mould around their sounds.

From the very first split second of the first bar I know that the next song is Percussion Gun, I can’t say enough good words about this song because the bottom line is it has everything packed in it. It has great rhythm matched with great harmonies, it’s has just the right amount of angst mixed with ample amounts of serenity to balance it all out. The next two songs play but my heart is still pounding with Percussion Gun even though my ears are pounding with a different beat. The band just keep building and building, the drums sound like they are about to split at their seems, amps sound like they are about to explode, this band doesn’t just play their instruments they literally rape them and beat them and squeeze every ounce of beauty from them and inject it directly in the audience’s ears. Then, like a kid touching a snails eyeball they come to a magnificent stop and announce “Thanks, we’re White Rabbits”.

Words by Brendan Monteiro / photo by Marcus Maschwitz

The new year always gets me excited, it’s a chance to make and break resolutions and lets face the fact that it’s what resolutions are all about, I have already broken three. One that I won’t break however is my endless pursuit to find new bands, and one such band in my bag of “good finds” is White Rabbits. The six pieced stepped into my radar towards the end of last year and the signal has just been growing stronger and stronger. If at this point your wondering “who are White Rabbits” then shame on you and give yourself a well placed sharp fist to the kidneys, you deserve it! White Rabbits are one of those very rare breeds of bands that combine just about everything, I honestly would not be suprised if one of them knows how to play the kitchen sink. Each member is well trained in his and all other members instruments and the result of this is a mind bending mash up of funked out progressive art rock that needs to be heard to be fully admired, yes merely reading this will not suffice, buy the album or head out to one of their upcoming shows and you can find out for yourself. In the meantime read on, it might give you a glimpse of what your in for.

First off it’s great to meet you guys and get some of your time, I find myself watching more hardcore shows but I managed to see your set in Hoxton and you blew me away.

Matthew: It’s funny you say that because some of the guys in the band actually come from a hardcore background. I would say four out of the six.

Jamie: Yeah, almost the entire band.

I never would of guessed that. It’s Frightening is your second album and it’s just about to be released here in the UK even though it’s been available state side on Amazon for some time now, how come the long delay to release it here?

Matthew: We were just looking for somebody to put it out over here and you have to go through all the business stuff and make sure that people are actually going to listen to it. I think on the first album we actually rushed getting out of here.

Jamie: We actually took too long on the first album, we kind of missed the boat because it came out in the states but didn’t come out over here for almost over a year and it kind of almost outlived it’s life. This time we hooked up with Mute Records and that is the time table that we established for the release.

The album has been sitting with me for a while and I was rather surprised with the fact that it is only going to be released in January.

Jamie: You see to us it’s completely normal, it could be another year before it gets released, only kidding.

How was the writing process for the album and did you have any struggles with the dreaded “second album” that some bands experience?

Jamie: Were kind of an insular group, we tour and are in a lot of the same circles and I think that there was tension to make a second record but we really just spent a lot of time in our practice space, between touring, just writing music. We tried not to let that influence it and just tried to keep it natural.

Matthew: I think that we have been on tour for so long that we were just really excited to have the opportunity to write again, which is what we love. We all had a lot of ideas and things that we wanted to change and that didn’t really come into the picture at all because we already kind of knew where we wanted to go and yeah we recorded it.

Percussion Gun is the first single off the new album, the video that accompanies it is outstanding, can you take us through the pre-production and the idea or concept of the video?

Matthew: Well we were looking for locations, our friend Andrew directed it and had a lot to do with the building of the set. We kind of found out that it was going to be way more expensive for us to shoot the video in New York which is where we live and so we decided to shoot on location in Columbia, Missouri. Missouri is kind of in the centre of the country and it’s also where we all met as a band and it also worked out way cheaper to rent out a warehouse there and then we basically hired on friends to work on it. I think everybody in the band would agree that

Jamie: Yeah!

Matthew: It was one of the top five moments of the year.

Jamie: And the rap party was epic and dangerous, somebody could of got hurt with the giant ring of lights and alcohol.

Matthew: The ring of lights was secured for the video and then after we were done the alcohol came out.

Jamie: It was destroyed.

Matthew: It was decided that it could no longer be tethered to the ceiling and it needed to be free in the warehouse and so we broke it free and then everybody was taking rides on this spinning contraption.

I think I might of spotted that scene on the “making of” video where there is a scene of it just spinning out of control.

Matthew: Yeah it was being manually moved and it could only go to certain point before the electric cords would bring it to a stop and then it would have to go the other way.

Jamie: For the logistics of pulling it off it was pretty amazing how everybody managed to work around the limitations of the structure itself. It wasn’t on a track, that is what you can’t tell on the video, it’s being pushed by people. It was done by 5 of our very hard working friends running a marathon all day long.

I got the feeling that the band takes a real pride and tries to achieve a level of excellence in anything and everything you produce as a band, whether it be music or video’s. Is that something that you have and will always strive for?

Jamie: Um with the first record we made a video for The Plot that was just collected footage from us being on tour and we just hadn’t really found a way to make images that we were comfortable with yet. Being a new band too we didn’t have an idea yet of what it is we wanted to convey visually. Since we have been touring for a while now and we have two records out now, that is definitely something that we strive for, to put imagery to it that enhances or adds a new element to the music itself.

Your sound seems very percussion oriented and that really comes out in your live shows, is it something that comes out naturally?

Matthew: I think everybody in the band is just really into rhythm and music that is more percussive heavy as appose to just strumming guitar kind of stuff. So everybody is looking for this rhythm and everybody’s favourite musicians and songs always have a rhythm and that’s what makes those songs great. So I think what we try to do in a lot of our songs when we are writing is try to find that rhythm that makes the song great. You know when you listen to the radio and your like “oh that song has this rhythm”, like Billie Jean is great because it has that rhythm and Michael Jackson, beside whatever you think about Michael Jackson, he has undeniable rhythm. I think somewhat subconsciously that is the driving force between all of because when we write we write as a group and everybody plays drums and a whole bunch of different instruments and so you get these different takes and styles for different instruments.

Jamie: Ironically when we are in the studio or writing, we don’t really write with the idea that we have to find a way to make big drums on this song so it is pretty organic that it comes out that way. Really the record doesn’t really give away that there are a lot of drums on it, I think it’s kind of a little more refined but live it’s always been there.

What genre would you feel that White Rabbits would fit comfortably?

Matthew: I would just say rock, it’s just the easiest.

Jamie: There is really nothing wrong with rock n roll

Nothing wrong at all, what would be your aspirations for the band after this album?

Mathew: Hopefully record another one.

Jamie: Yeah, just keep making music. I think we are really lucky to have found a way to make music and have it be our jobs and you could ask anyone in the band that this is exactly what we want to do. I think for the future it would be to maintain what we have built upon and play music for a living and write music, I don’t think any of us know how to do anything else. We have no value outside of making music.

Matthew: I could try think of another talent but I know I have no other talent beside music.

And what would be your greatest fear other than the band breaking up of course?

Matthew: Ha well the answer to that is always death.

Okay, no deaths and no band break ups.

Matthew: Well then the humorous answer would be to not have coffee in the morning.

Jamie: I don’t think that would be funny.

Matthew: It’s terribly important to us in order to get through the day.

Jamie: I could try and come up with something bett… nah I think it would be coffee hey.

Matthew: It’s the nectar of the God’s. I really think there are some bands that you can tell that if they were to break up maybe one person would do something but I really feel just from knowing my band mates so well that everyone in this band would go on. For some reason we decided that we wanted to make music together and I think that everyone would go on and play some sort of music.

Moving on from the coffee now. New York and London have been said to be fairly similar in ways and you guys have spent a great deal of time in London recently, is it becoming more like home to you now?

Jamie: Well now yes because it’s the fifth or sixth time we have come over but before it was a very foreign experience because you didn’t know where to go, eating was the hardest part. The decision when looking at a pub or some take away place and never being sure if you were going to survive. At this point though it does feel very much like New York, the same kind of pace.

Matthew: I feel a lot more comfortable this time around, we’re starting to remember where certain things are and we’re slowly getting a foothold on this place, but that first trip I had no clue.

Jamie: Now you feel like you can venture out and explore a little more but the first time you feel “if I make the wrong turn I am going to fall off the side of the earth”.

Mathew: I was like “what, my money is worth less, what do I do with all these coins?”

Going back to your sound now, I feel that it doesn’t have a New York feel and comes off a lot more organic than some bands do, I also get the feeling that you all must of had some sort of musical training, true or false?

Jamie: Some of us have but majority of the band has not had professional training.

Matthew: We’re from Missouri so I think that might have a little to do with it.

Jamie: A lot of the times in the States people think we’re an English band and people come up after the show and are like “are you guys from England”. I wonder why it would even matter and then I answer them “no…I’m actually from this state”

Matthew: “dammit, I went to school with you”

(everyone burst out laughing)

Matthew: “Jerry I used to serve you coffee”

(and more laughing)

You guys switch instruments during live shows, is there any instrument that you can’t play that you wish you could?

Jamie: You know I learned guitar briefly but I wish I could do more, I can play piano but you cant really be out on the road and just pick up a piano and it’s a lot easier to have a guitar. I’m getting to that point where it would be nice during our down time to sit down and start writing more music.

Matthew: I think besides Jamie everybody in the band pretty much plays everything. I have learned every instrument I have wanted to learn already.

Jamie: What about a Kazoo.

Matthew: I’ve got two.

What in the world is a Kazoo?

Matthew: It’s like a tube thing, uh.

Jamie: It’s like a tube that you blow into to make a sound.

Matthew: And it has a hole in the top with a piece of wax paper on top and it makes this (attempts to replicate the sound) whooop whooop whooop sound. It’s more like a kids toy.

Jamie: Really?

Matthew: That’s why I have two of them.

With weird instruments in mind, have you ever been compared to Mutemath and does being compared to other bands annoy you or does it have the opposite affect?

Jamie: No, I don’t really take offense at all from being compared to anything because music is a very subjective experience. Listeners take away what they want from music and we cannot be in control of what they we sound like or what the music means to them.
Any reference makes perfect sense, it might not be who we choose to be defined with, as long as it resonates with someone then that is what I think the whole point is.

Matthew: I think Perry mentioned the Mutemath thing.

Jamie: Oh yeah, but that was one his bands.

Lastly how would you feel about another band using the White Rabbits name, there have been so many lawsuits in the past but how would you feel if you came across another band using your name?

Jamie: I think there is plenty of space in this world to have bands with the same name, it’s up to the bands to do what they want.

Matthew: I think it’s up to the listener to be intelligent enough to separate the two.

NOTE: White Rabbits – It’s Frightening album is out on Monday 25 January 2010. Be sure to make one of their live shows in London.

Jan/Feb UK Tour

New Album ‘It’s Frightening’ Out 25th January 2010

“Beguiling, coherent and memorable” MOJO
“A winning balance of art-indie and pop energy” Q
“Deserves attention from start to finish” The Fly

White Rabbits have earned a reputation as one of America’s fiercest and most exciting live acts after opening sold-out tours for The Walkmen and Fiery Furnaces.

Now, with explosive single ‘Percussion Gun’ out now on Mute, the New York six-piece ring in the New Year with a series of UK dates, full list below.

White Rabbits UK dates are:

January
Tue 26th – LONDON, Tabernacle with Delphic
Thu 28th – LONDON, Club Fandango @ The Lexington with Citizens

February
Sun 14th – GLASGOW, King Tut’s with Spoon
Mon 15th – MANCHESTER, Academy 3 with Spoon
Tue 16th – LONDON, Electric Ballroom with Spoon
Thurs 18th – AMSTERDAM, Paradiso with Spoon
Fri 19th – COLOGNE, Luxor with Spoon
Sat 20th – BERLIN, Frannz Club with Spoon
Wed 24th – LONDON, Koko with Hockey

‘Percussion Gun’ has already been championed by Zane Lowe as his ‘Hottest Record In The World’ and is on the 6music playlist. It’s the first release from thrilling new album ‘It’s Frightening’ out 25th January 2010.

White Rabbits are: Stephen Patterson (vocals/piano), Jamie Levinson (drums), Matthew Clark (drums, guitar), Alex Even (guitar, vocals), Gregory Roberts (guitar/vocals) and Brian Betancourt (bass).

www.myspace.com/whiterabbits

Words by Ian Dickinson / Photo’s by Marcus Maschwitz

It is a rare treat to find a band playing original music with such unadulterated talent and passion. Intelligent, intense and innovative; the White Rabbits are one of the most exciting bands I have had the privilege to witness. Water Rats is an ideal venue for the White Rabbits. It is small and it is packed. The crowd are a mix of delighted fans, curious music bods and trendy Art & Fashion students getting smashed on a Wednesday night (the infamous hump session).

At 10:22pm the Missouri six piece take to the stage. An aura of anticipation hangs dangerously over the tightly packed crowd. Stephen Patterson (vocals & piano) takes a seat at the keys and a swig from his beer before commencement. As soon as White Rabbits begin a tsunami of sound smashes the audience square in the face. Jamie Levinson (drums) and Matt Clark (drums and percussion) create a hypnotic beat that is driving and savagely forceful. Their expressions are grave and stern, the music is intellectual but not alienating or pretentious. This is unlike any thing else that I have heard. From a visual perspective the White Rabbits possess raw energy and emotion. Clarks tribal assault on percussion is impossible to ignore.

As the set builds the venue feels as though it can know longer deal with the might of the music held within. My whole body is vibrating and my teeth are shaking like a frost bight victim on his death bed. By the third song the band are on fire. The massive sound of the double drums demands vocalists with the chops to keep a float and to not be drowned out by the scale of the music. Patterson and Gregory Roberts (guitar & vocals) are more than capable of holding their own. The juxtaposition of vocals and their dynamic range keep the set fresh throughout. Roberts deals with the more melodic, new wave style tracks whilst Patterson takes the more prominent role on the aggressive and up tempo songs. Patterson effortlessly switches from screaming, to crooning, to singing without stopping for a single breath. Patterson & Roberts are a great duo, that allows the band to play in a multitude of ways. The down tempo and moody tracks still sound like a thoroughly pissed off combination of Portishead and The Specials banging at your door with a marching band for back up. Whilst the harder, faster songs have a sinister rock n roll, bar brawl feel to them.

The White Rabbits are more than just a one trick pony. Bands that create distinctive music have a tendency to sound very similar on each track. It is part of the danger of being different. This is not true of the White Rabbits. Atmospheric, harrowing, mournful, broody, upbeat, aggressive, romantic; the White Rabbits set fills your ears with many emotions and sounds. Midnight and I, is a haunting and frightening track thanks to Patterson’s work at the keys. When the band get to Percussion Gun they are untouchable. The drums are beaten, the piano keys are obliterated and Patterson’s shrill and visceral voice commands it all. The song starts big and continues to build without reprieve. It is an epic song. It is a heavy song. It is an addictive song. Everyone is moving to the entrancing beat and the White Rabbits are at their finest.

There is a communal atmosphere on stage and any one member of the band can lead. It isn’t the same old lead singer and his minions. Every member is the star at some point and as a collective they are tremendous, like a drum and piano led Wu-Tang Clan. I leave the Water Rats knowing that I have seen a band who are going to go far, especially in the UK. They have the balls and desire to progress, combining genres and styles without a care to whom they may offend or alienate. White Rabbits are an all consuming and varied live band. Never dull and constantly powerful. Percussion Gun is currently receiving about 10 plays a day on my stereo. I seriously advice you check the White Rabbits out.

New York six-piece, White Rabbits make their anticipated return for a must-see gig at Water Rats, 18th November, to light the fuse on the impending release of their new album, ‘It’s Frightening’ (25th January 2010).

As a live band they have gained a fierce reputation as a highly-charged, interchangeable six-piece, pumping with energy, featuring two drummers and three singers. Their live show also captures the band’s softer and more melodic moments, showcasing their genre busting sound. This London show comes off the back of an extensive tour of the US and is followed by a string of European and Australian dates.

They release their single ‘Percussion Gun’ on 11th January 2010, which has already been given an upfront play by Zane Lowe as his ‘Hottest Record In The World’. It’s the first release from forthcoming album ‘It’s Frightening’ out 25th January 2010. Watch this space for news of a White Rabbits UK tour in the New Year.

White Rabbits are: Stephen Patterson (vocals/piano), Jamie Levinson (drums), Matthew Clark (drums, guitar), Alex Even (guitar, vocals), Gregory Roberts (guitar/vocals) and Brian Betancourt (bass).

White Rabbits are playing in London at Monte Water Rats on the 18th of November 2009

Support from Stars and Sons, Goldheart Assembly

Words by Brendan Monteiro / Photo’s by Marcus Maschwitz

My expectations of tonight’s proceedings were at an all time low to begin with, I had not heard any material from any of the bands and furthermore I knew that they weren’t classified in a genre that I normally find myself listening to. But by the end of the night I sauntered out of the Hoxton Bar & Kitchen with a smile gleaming from ear to ear, tonight I found myself some treasure.

Rewind a couple of hours and Brighton’s Stars and Sons calmly get up on stage, There set is smooth and vibrant, and their melodic indie sounds resonate and as their set draws to an end I find myself making a mental note to keep an eye out for them. A quick equipment change and soon enough Goldheart Assembly are in full swing, the london six piece have a variation of up beat and mellow songs but it’s the latter that really shine for me, with Ukulele’s and what looked like an autoharp they swirl into an intricate sort of indie / folk sound that hit’s the ears at just the right spot. Mental note number two has been made

Last to hit the stage is Columbia, Missouri‘s White Rabbits, they thump their way straight into Rudie Fails, with thunderous percussion’s they surge and jolt every foot into motion. These guys are so unique and progressive it’s frightening. Whether it’s drums, guitar or whacked out delay pedal’s, every member seems well versed in them all. Alex reminds me of Jonny Greenwood from the ‘Creep’ video, slumped over his guitar and fixated in his creations and Stephen’s haunting voice sends shivers. The Plot is so intense live, the whole band just seem to be charged with an colossal amount of energy. Mathew and Jamie seem to be competing to see who can break a drum skin first, the fight intensifies more when bassist Brian takes to the challenge too. Percussion Gun is definitely my favourite of the evening, it’s a funk / jazz / groove / you call it what you want, with some melodic mastery combined with abrasive passion. All I can say is whoa, what a night!

We heard the guys will be back in London in the not too distant future and we cannot wait to see them again and look forward to sitting down with them and picking their brains to find out more about how they do what they do.