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’s by Marcus Maschwitz

The Lexington is pretty much crammed tonight but as the two piece noise-mongers from Brighton take to the stage the reception seems a little dull, and with that the silence is broken with set opener Keeping It Close from their new album ‘Fire Like This’ which is due for release on the 1 March 2010. Keeping It Close is a brazen kick in the jaw to this zombie-like crowd, unfortunately not to any fault of the band or the song itself, but it doesn’t seem to have much affect. Boring By The Sea gets big cheers from adorning fans (one of which watches every step Laura-Mary Carter makes like a stalker) and is only 1 of 2 songs that they play from their debut ‘Box Of Secrets’. Light It Up is BRS latest single and I have to say that it’s the first time I have heard it, but hearing it live made me want to buy the album right then and there just to get another fix of this song. Steven’s vocals fuse to the quirky lead riff, bending and folding only to come back at you again like a spider monkey, then the chorus bashes through with a knockout blow and leaves the chorus line embedded in my skull for the remainder of the evening.

When We Wake is yet another new track, with it’s scuzzy underlying riff paving away for Laura to lay down some amazing melodies while Steven builds the rhythms up around her. Live this song really comes to life with the percussion shifting every so often to reveal a different rhythm. Eventually time starts running away and with an almost forced/option of cutting one song out from their set list the duo twist the crowds arm to play another new song to close their set. Don’t Ask has a certain urgency about it, Steven’s arms are a haze through most of the song. It’s also has one of the down right coolest riffs in it, which reminds me of The Automatic’s ‘Monster’ and Bloc Party’s ‘Hunting For Witches.

Blood Red Shoes might occasionally be compared with White Stripes and this little bit of info bugs me constantly throughout the night. The fact is yes their is a similarity – they are both a two piece. Other than that I don’t really share the same thoughts. Personally I see BRS as a more raw and natural band. The songs are real and the passion that is exuded from both Laura-Mary and Steven make for one hell of a performance, and if you missed it or were one of the punters who couldn’t muster some appreciation for them, well it’s your loss in the end anyway. I have a strong feeling we will all be hearing more of BRS in the future … I look forward to it.

Set list: Keeping It Close, It’s Getting Boring By The Sea, Light It Up, When We Wake, Say Something Say Anything, It Is Happening Again, Don’t Ask

Footnote: I Wish I Was Someone Better was on their set list but had to be cut out due to time constraints.

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

Support from Solid Gold

Words and Photos by Marcus Maschwitz

I am going to start off by saying that I was only meant to photograph this show and not write about it but due to a personal emergency I was asked to do both at last minute so I am stepping up to the plate and because my workload is currently overflowing I am letting you know this so that I have an excuse for all the mistakes that this article might end up having.

My interest in Juliette Lewis began back around 10 years ago when she began dating Steve Berra and being a skateboarder it was really cool and enough reason to want to follow her career. It just so happens that after all the years, and me growing up, she has given me more reason to follow her work than just being in a relationship with a skateboard hero back in the day. This would be my first experience of Juliette’s new project but I had seen her by accident about 2 and a half years ago performing as Juliette and the Licks and I was absolutely gob-smacked at her live stage energy. When I saw her name on the list that night I thought it would be some kind of a joke and I remember clearly her running around the stage like she was “mental” smashing the drums and going off which resulted in my purchasing 2 of her albums the very next day. I have since craved to see her again on stage and shoot photographs but things got in the way until now.

Arriving at the venue just as Solid Gold take to the stage and immediately I like them. I have never heard of them before tonight and I never expect anything from an opening band (bad on my behalf and I am often shocked) but I enjoyed what I was hearing and really enjoyed their set and their experimentation between instruments. It sounded good, it sounded sweet and it sounded tight which is a definite check in my good books. Normally I make my way to the bar or wait outside but I drew closer and closer to the stage so I could enjoy my experience and I found myself saddening at the thought that their set was getting nearer to the end. In saying this, the band was joined in for the last two songs by someone who completely ruined it for me. I know it’s cool to have friends join you on stage and play along but this guy was drunk and way too cool, loud and full of himself for the band I had just grown intimate with and immediately I was done. Now my focus was directed again at Juliette. I know I wasn’t the only one but we will try get our hands on a copy of their stuff to review for you.

Anyway, the lights came on, the stage was quickly cleared and setup. The lights dimmed and The New Romantiques entered with Juliette following shortly after. As the last time, she was dressed for the occasion and began shocking rocking from the word go. I love that she plays the part and I love even more that she plays it so well. She is quirky, really quirky but she is good and it definitely feels as though she is feeling what she is doing. She interacts with the crowd, every part of the crowd, even making her way off the stage into the tight pack singing along with die-hard fans for almost half a song before making her way back on stage to continue with her SHOW.

The set is a mix up of old and new and I am, from the start, excited about the new album Terra Incognita which will be out soon. Juliette really is made for the stage and I feel special for being a part of the intimate crowd that was lucky enough to witness her magic in such a small venue as I know it is only going to get bigger and bigger from here. Not only is she spot on but her band is really cool too and after tonight I cannot wait to get my hands on the new album as soon as it drops.

They announced that they will be playing a bunch of shows in the UK again to promote the release in September and I can only recommend that you make a plan to see them live. You will be hooked, not necessarily to their album but without doubt to their live performance. Definitely a good night out.

We just got this video and you have to watch it. Amazing ……