We Are Scientists/Robocop Kraus/The Chalets @ Knitting Factory

That was the worst Art Brut cover band I've ever seen, I demand a full refund.

It was the worse kept secret performance around -- that We Are Scientists would play tonight under the disguise of Art Brut 47. If you didn't know coming into the Knitting Factory, the give away was Keith was standing behind me, watching the openers, The Chalets. Also, there were equipment cases that said on them WE ARE SCIENTISTS.

What we thought would we be Art Brut covers was not true. They ended up playing We Are Scientists covers. So consider this a homecoming of sorts after touring Europe and making sweet monkey love with Arctic Monkeys.

They played a tight and energetic set of songs from With Love and Squalor including "It's a Hit," "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" and closing with "The Great Escape." Since seeing them last January, they are the toast of the U.K. In fact, they headline the large Brixton Academy this summer. More importantly, they have become more confident in their live performance. Chris, Keith and Mike are old pros at this now and it shows.

As for their comic stylings, Keith introduced songs this way: "This song is about having sex with The Chalets" or "This song is about having sex with Art Brut." When he proclaimed that the next song would be "Good Weekend," they instead played their own song.

While I was anticipating the Art Brut covers, revisiting their own catalog was a nice surprise. Now this saves me from seeing them at Warsaw or Irving Plaza. I didn't stay for Art Brut. Twice was enough for me and it was 12:15 when W.A.S. ended. Come on, it's a school night. Modern Age and Village Indian stayed.

Related Stories:

• Interview with Keith Murray
• We Are Scientists @ Bowery Ballroom

The real reason I came tonight was to see one of the great, fun new acts out of Ireland, The Chalets, making their New York return after playing CMJ last year. The boy/girl group fits neatly into the latest trend in pop music, a kitschy blend of mid-60s vocal pop, girl group choruses, dueling boy vs. girl verses, an innocent appearance, but naughty lyrics. Others who fall into the category are The Brunettes. The Boy Least Likely To and The Pipettes. The patron saint of this sound is The B-52s.

Tonight, they played a full-blown power pop set filled with sweet harmonies and catchy guitar hooks. It also helps the entertainment factor that lead singers Pee Pee and Pony fit the mid-60s look with their matching polka-dot dresses and retro hair styles and make-up. They even do some simple choreographed dance moves.

Setlist:

• David Boring
• Sexy Mistake
• Cloud Bound
• Theme From Chalets
• Red High Heels
• No Style
• Nightrocker
• Gay Holiday (which they said was about Chevy Chase)
• Love Punch

You can stream some songs at Myspace. They didn't play "Feel the Machine," very odd. Their CD, Check-In, is only available on import, but they had copies to sell at the show. I had a little chat with the ladies at the merch table and they are just so darn cute, I want to collect them and trade them with my friends. Art Brut's Eddie Argos interrupted TWICE. Art Brut's Eddie Argos interrupted TWICE.

After The Chalets were an odd bunch of foreigners who call themselves, Robocop Kraus. "Ve rrr from Germany," the leader singer said. Oh, really? I would never have guess with that thick German accent.

The music is straight forward post-kraut, new wave dance rock, but done by Germans. It was pretty decent for what it is, but nothing earth shattering.

The lead singer was a goofy guy, who looked liked Daniel Craig's lesser twin brother. He said some strange things that we couldn't understand, but would laugh slightly to make him feel better. He jumped into the crowd once, then a second time bringing with him the drum player and the drum player's snare drum.

Comments

[Sabor Latino]

Art Brut was absolutely amazing. You have no idea what you missed.

[rad]

hey chris,

do u recall what time AB47 started?

[Chris]

Yes, they came on around 11:15-11:30, and ended at 12:15. Chalets come on at 9:30

[rad]

cool. thanx much.

[Matt]

When I saw The Robocop Kraus open for Art Brut in Philly last month, they nearly brought the goddamn house down. I was very impressed. Then Gil Mantera's party Dream came out and practically ruined the evening. What a bunch of fuckheads those guys are.

[Dfactor]

Nice pix - I see myself grinning in the last Robocop shot.

Here's my take on Wednesday's show.
http://wavedrumor.blogspot.com/2006/05/bang-bang-rock-roll.html

[Mark]

The Art Brut guy... was he interrupting cos he's going out with one of the Chalettees? I spotted him and her in Dublin a few weeks back. He might have been fearful you were mosying in on his broad.