psychoPEDIA: Dusk2Dawn

August 08, 2007

CONEY ISLAND The Noisettes


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The Noisettes are known for taking their lives in their own hands - be it on the near-fatale Babyshambles tour, or, actually, anytime the band unites for a live performance. So, it came as no surprise that the trio was included in the lineup for this year’s Siren Festival - that special time of year where mad dogs, Englishmen and Brooklyn indie fans brave the midday sun beating down on Coney Island. PsychoPEDIA, for one, couldn’t wait.

Singer Shingai Shoniwa bounced onstage un-obscured by her customary swaths of lame or the smoke-machine-emissions that accompany their club gigs. Shoniwa showcased her hit-and-run lyrics atop a self-inflicted Tommy gun bass line (brilliantly displayed on 'Don't Give Up'). An axe-wielding Dan Smith fired back with an intense stare and dueling vox - the perfect Y- chromosome to Soniwa's XXX formula (demonstrated especially well during 'Scratch Your Name'). Drummer Jamie Morrison walked off mid-set, apparently due to the equipment repeatedly collapsing. Honestly, Jamie! You can chalk it up to the festival kit, or the fact that, ya know, your front woman tends to hop-up on your kick drum and holler at you. At any rate, we will take the Noisettes in whatever take-no-prisoners capacity we can get 'em. Catch them this fall on tour with the Kills and Bloc Party in support of their release 'What's the Time Mr. Wolf' - out now.

Film and text by Abbey Braden

Special thanks to Village Voice and the Siren Festival.




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