REVIEW: ART BRUT AT CARDIFF CLWB IFOR BACH (19/10/11)
Some bands are just destined to not be appreciated in their own country. Indie punk five-piece Art Brut are a prime example – in Germany, they’re considered rock gods, but in their home country they’re seen as a bit of a running joke. Not that it worries them, of course. If self-belief sold records, this lot would have gone platinum years ago.
“Formed A Band”, the first track of their debut album, contained eye-popping levels of chutzpah with the line “We’re gonna be the band that writes the song / that makes Israel and Palestine get along”. And they haven’t lowered their sights at all in the six years since.
But I get ahead of myself. Let’s give a nod to the support, The Lovely Eggs – a charming pair from Lancaster with a good line in inter-song banter (“Who else likes food?”) and ditties about OCD and digital accordions. Sort-of like a cross between the White Stripes and the Lancashire Hotpots. Go and see them. You’ll like them, I promise.
When Art Brut come onto the stage, they manage to look both older and also exactly the same. Eddie Argos increasingly resembles a 1990s Tony Slattery, but hurls himself around the stage (and amongst the audience) with the verve and panache of a teenager. The only difference is that now, there’s a more knowing self-awareness to it all; before breaking into “My Little Brother”, Argos admits “My little brother was 22 when I wrote this. He’s now 29. He’s not the one my parents worry about anymore…”
The thing is though, Art Brut still look and sound amazing. Their more recent material has a dirtier, more uncompromosing edge, clearly showing the influence of Frank Black, who produced their last two albums. What’s more, they have always known how to work a crowd and tonight is no exception when Argos has the entire audience sitting on a sticky floor for an epic version of “Modern Art”. Moreover, they’re still a bunch who really enjoy it, with Jasper Future (one-time Cardiff resident) and Ian Catskilkin happily gurning at each other throughout most of the set.
On the basis of tonight, they fully deserve their status as national treasures. It’s just a shame it’s in a different nation.
Words: Ed Bridges
Photo by Mr Matt via Flickr
