Art Brut
06.03.2009
The Mercury Lounge :: New York City

Words & Images by Dave Cromwell

 

"Ready, Art Brut?" Those familiar words would be heard repeatedly throughout the show, as frontman Eddie Argos quite frequently prefaced a song this way. They opened this night's performance again with their current single "Alcoholics Unanimous." Eddie immediately began chatting with the crowd right after that, setting up the moment where he shouted "et cetera" and the band lurched into a frantic instrumental that lasted a mere one minute. Such is the quirky fascination of Art Brut.

"This next song is about how amazing trains are," said Eddie. Indeed, as the vocalist penchant for riding around on busses and trains is so lovingly chronicled in their song "The Passenger."

Eddie intro'd the following song by saying "Chinese Democracy has just recently come out, and they have a song called "Catcher In The Rye. We didn't put it on the album - but we're going to play it for you now!" To which the crowd gasped incredulously. "No, not really," he continued. "Instead we'll play for you this next song off our new album called ‘Summer Job'" The song is an instant hit. Everyone seemed to know it already. The infectious "whoah a oh a ah" backing vocals sung by Jasper and Ian, the crowd is as loud as they are on it. Eddie weaves the tale of having to get summer work. He states, "if you want me sober and straight, I'm afraid I'm going to be, a little bit late!" The chorus is lyrically as simple as it gets, yet so hooky you could catch fish with it. The final line of the song tells the tale all too well - "I was looking for a job, and I found one - heaven knows I'm miserable now."


After playing the "Rusted Guns" and "What A Rush" combination, the band pulled out the wonderful "Nag Nag Nag Nag" from 2007's "It's A Bit Complicated". The song is driven by Ian's driving single note riff melody, while Eddie weaves a tale of transformation. "I'm grown up now but refuse to learn that those were just adolescent concerns. I'm in a film of personal soundtrack. I'm leaving home and I'm never gonna come back." Older but wiser?," Eddie asks - "this song's the decider."

One day earlier, the boys were treated to a full tour of the DC Comics offices. Eddie was so inspired by it all that he revised "Modern Art" to "DC Comics Makes Me Want To Rock Out". The mid-song monologue was most entertaining and a bit crazed. Eddie even talked about sneaking back into their library and stealing all of the "Booster Gold" comics.

Further into the set they played "St. Pauli" which is about a German football team and has a chorus that goes "Punk rock ist nicht tot!" This wasn't even on the set list - but a fan called it out and they played it!

Another great new song from their latest album is "Slap Dash For No Cash." The band added to the set for the first time during this run and it sounded brilliant. Spontaneous clapping broke out in the audience and how often does that happen?

Coming back for their encore, the band treated their fans to yet another song unique to this particular show. One of the advantages of playing consecutive nights at the same venue is being able to change up the set list each time. Understanding that there would be fans attending multiple shows, Art Brut made sure to do this. Added here was a song which they had never played out before - "Fight," from their first album. Much rawer and punkier than their current music, the lyrics are straightforward and to the point. "Some people like things left unspoken, I don't care if you shout it, get it out in the open! Come on, come on, let's have a fight.

Understanding that there would be fans attending multiple shows, Art Brut made sure to do this. Added here was a song which they had never played out before - "Fight," from their first album. Much rawer and punkier than their current music, the lyrics are straightforward and to the point. "Some people like things left unspoken, I don't care if you shout it, get it out in the open! Come on, come on, let's have a fight.

 


Art Brut :: 06.03.2009 :: The Mercury Lounge


Art Brut :: 06.03.2009 :: The Mercury Lounge


Art Brut :: 06.03.2009 :: The Mercury Lounge

To continue reading, please click here for:

Dave Cromwell's exclusive pre-show interview.


Art Brut LIVE at the Mercury Lounge 06.01.2009 NYC

Art Brut LIVE at the Mercury Lounge 06.05.2009 NYC

For videos of this performance please visit:
www.youtube.com/davecromwell

 

 



for additional information visit:
www.oasisinet.com








“You know, it really doesn’t matter what [the media] writes as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of ass.”

— Donald Trump




Muddy Waters
I'm Ready
1978

 

 

About Us | Advertising | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Credits | Legal | 2009 © Downtown Money Waster LLC