artrocker club classic: xerox teens (as they were called back then) + untitled musical project

The larynx shredding vocals switch between guitarist and bass player as they spit out ‘I Don’t Need You Honey, All I Need Is Rock ‘n Roll’ which takes the simplicity of The Ramones, speeds it up ten times over and insert punchy lyrics that refuse to even last two minutes. Live favourite ‘Why Isn’t Paul McCartney Dead’ gets the sweaty crowd into somewhat of a frenzy as you realize you are witnessing something quite special. Making my way through the cavernous room Xerox Teens take the stage. Some of us at Artrocker get very moist at the mere mention of their name. The Fall inspired art-rock is like very little you will encounter at the moment, the 5 strong create a mish mash of styles that go from standard punk rock, to art-noise, funk, soul, infact, insert every musical reference here. The guitarist that could surely shatter glass with his voice shares vocal duties and the more laid back character that lurks towards the back of the stage in his full Ian McCulloch coolness. Barely raising more than a cigarette he stands solemnly watching the crowd as he sings ‘My Favourite Hat’ whilst a lucky female audience member joins them on stage, the bass players funk lines give the song the extra something to propel it past a standard artrock number. They play ‘Darin’ minus the brass section tonight, but it remains to have the same charm; scratchy guitar riffs, vocals that are both insane and all over the place, deeply booming bass lines and drum crashing that could’ve brought down the Berlin wall. I don’t know exactly what they’re doing, but whatever it is, it gets me very excited.