The first time I heard about these guys was in a NYLON magazine last year. After watching their "Forever And Ever, Amen" video I figured it wouldn't take long before they were everywhere. That video could have easily been shot 20 (or even 30) years ago. They had something truly unique and they were about to go big... at least in the indie music world.
They played here in Mexico City for a private event last fall, and they did it again this week at an MTV party. Luckily, this time I was on the list. The venue was the perfect spot, small but great acoustic. The problem, the occasion. An MTV party, sure, sounds like a music related event, but I was clearly mistaken. Most of people were there for the free booze and the social scene, but not at all interested in the bands playing. At about 11:15pm, four young boys (and a cute drummer who's not part of the official band) came on stage. Their outfits matched their crazy hair styles, which at the same time, corresponded to their bizarre movements. Every single band member has their own personality but together, they fit perfectly.
Their performance, speaking musically was pretty awesome, but shadowed by the lack of stage presence and band / audience interaction. I first though it was directly related to the fact that they were playing for about 300 people and only 50 were actually watching the show. I later ran into this interview...
... and everything made a little more sense. The jet-lag, the "last night on tour" thing... whatever. The good thing is, I got to watch them (and I really enjoyed it). The bad part, they came across as a bunch of asses. But, oh well, what rockstar isn't an ass, right? Maybe on their next tour I can leave this all behind.
