Features
Welcome To The Future
Sure, they were here last fall, touring with Franz Ferdinand in September and headlining their own shows in November. But that was only a few shows, and, perhaps more importantly, it was before the critics’ year-end top 10 lists started pouring in with the band’s name plastered all over them.
The British four-piece plans to live up to the hype on a monthlong headlining jaunt, beginning February 21 in Washington, D.C. at the 9:30 Club and running through such notable venues as NYC’s Bowery Ballroom, L.A.’s Henry Fonda Theatre and Austin’s La Zona Rosa (for South by Southwest) before wrapping in Dallas at the Gypsy Tea Room.
Canada is also on the books, with shows planned in Montreal and Toronto.
Stateside press has gone absolutely bonkers over the band’s self-titled debut, throwing around phrases like “power-pop brilliance” (Time Out New York), “jittery, caffeinated gems” (Flaunt), and “innovative and exciting” (Los Angeles Times). Drawing on influences including Queen, XTC and Fugazi, the band combines hyperactive, jagged riffs with vocals from all four members – an attribute that grew out of having to schedule separate vocal practices due to lack of a PA, according to the group.