The Joy of Art Brut

As soon as Art Brut took the Casbah stage, the English quartet launched into a frenetic version of "Formed a Band," their signature song. It got the crowd jumping, but how were they going to keep that momentum going for the rest of the set? This doesn't prove to be a problem for Art Brut.

Mixing tracks from all three of their albums, the band’s set list was a brash, raucous selection of their “hits,” including several from their latest punk-pop collection Art Brut vs. Satan, which was produced by indie icon Frank Black.

Throughout the set, frontman Eddie Argos half-shouts, half-sings about ex-girlfriends, erectile dysfunction, and - as the song title promises - "DC comics and chocolate milkshakes!"

Before playing recent hit "The Passenger,” Eddie explained that he wrote it as a response to the Iggy Pop song of the same name because he "originally thought it was about riding on trains and buses, but it turned out to be about taking heroin with David Bowie.” When the crowd applauded, Eddie gave a bemused look and said, "Why are you cheering that?! I much prefer the idea of riding on trains and buses."

With their penchant for comics, shakes, and public transport, Art Brut may not be cool, but they sure can rock, offering a live experience of unadulterated joy.

Artist: Art Brut
Venue: Casbah
Date: Wednesday, October 28
Seats: General admission