Mad dog Frenchmen in flannel making clangorous garage rock with basslines that sound straight out of the Low End Theory and strings that sound like they’re arranged by Jean-Claude Vannier. If that makes no sense — all apologies — I was at the EMP all weekend alternately soaking up knowledge and amusing myself with fake EMP pick-up lines (you don’t have to DIY if I’m in your bed.) Cheveu, right. Many moons ago, I found myself in Austin, stoned and staggering, waylaid by liquor and mushrooms. Circumstances were bleak, made bleaker when I saw this band. The Matches. Holy fuck. (not them)
Staggered outside to a makeshift patio venue to see Cheveu whirling around like The Troggs doing Serge Gainsbourg covers. Made perfect sense and redeemed the tomfoolery I’d just witnessed. Kept my nausea down too. Haven’t thought of them in years, but they apparently have a new album and “No Birds” reminds me why I loved this band in the first place. Glorious racket. Frenchmen who do not need scarves, but play like every day is Bastille Day. Plus, I imagine this is a Gallic take on “No Pigeons.”
Download:
MP3: Cheveu-“No Birds”
MP3: Cheveu-“Lola Langosta”
