LIVE REPORT: Archimède @Le Réservoir

 For those who may not be aware, Archimède is a French band, the only one who actually plays decent rock. Last night, they performed a gig at Le Réservoir to promote the release of their new album Trafalgar, out today, September 5th.

Coming from a small town named Laval, which I think 95% of French people cannot point on a map, these guys headlined an evening of Lavalian pop rock. Unfortunately, we arrived at 9:30 which meant we missed the first band playing. BUT, the second band Jack And Lumber (which I hope I got the name right) was pretty good. Totally folk, they managed to captivate the audience and I hope they'll continue on their way.

Third band was, well, not that good, unfortunately and you could see people wondering when the heck it would stop. I probably have to remind you that the underground in Paris closes at midnight and it was already 11:10 when that band stopped playing- which meant that for those who couldn't take a taxi or didn't have a car, they wouldn't be able to watch Archilmède too long.

Anyway, the band was there to perform ALL the songs from their new album, which is undoubtedly effing brilliant! The songs range from love stories to everyday things, and so make Archimède a true rock band, not only a "band playing French song with guitars). Nicolas Boisnard, the singer dressed as a Londonian "titi" (if that existed) , has this capacity to grab the audience and offers a flawless gig. His brother Frederic Boisnard, rythm guitar, is the Ray Davies of the band, leaving his little brother do the show. The rest of the band can easily measure up to any British bands (which I have to say is pretty surprising!). Unfortunately, we had to leave before the end of the gig (thank you RATP) but we did enjoy a great night out with one of the only rock bands that's left in France.

Is Laval the French Liverpool? It sounds so, and if you want to join the bandwagon, come see them at La Maroquinerie this autumn!

Le Bonheur video is right on this link  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Uac83tOw8&feature=channel_video_title

LIVE REPORT: Kasabian @ Studio 104 (Album De La Semaine)

"Can you feel it coming?" Five words taken from Switchblade Smiles, first single of the new Kasabian album and that undoubtedly define de frenzy surrounding the release of Velociraptor! as well as the concert in the pretty intimist but perspiring Studio 104 this last Wednesday.

Coming back to France and promoting their fourth opus, the Leicester band had chosen the ultra-fashionable rock show L'Album De La Semaine and its dozens of priviledged guests to present the follow-up to West Ryder Pauper Asylum. It's with the first chords from Velociraptor! that the gig started. Flagship tune that had already been experimented during this summer's festivals, the song tenfolds its power between the four walls of a very small venue. Tom Meighan, singer emeritus and stage animal, hammers the chorus like a biblical truth. The audience, quite heterogeneous but composed of some fans from the French website Kasabian's Paradise , knows what to expect and offers the band the atmosphere that measures up to the killer riffs of Sergio Pizzorno and Jay Mehler.

Alternating new songs - four tonight- and top-ten hits that are now in the rock pantheon, the band allows themselves to be cheerful, charmingly-joking, convinced to be the best. Days Are Forgotten, with a chorus worthy of the soundtrack of a James Bond movie, is extremely well-received. Keeping on with Shoot The Runner and Underdog, not allowing the audience any break- thanks to the brilliant drumming of Ian Matthews- Kasabian gives a preview of Rewired. The very first chords definitely prove the efficiency of this new song, that owes as much to The Rolling Stones as to Prodigy- a huge surprise compared to the album version. With Fast Fuse and Switchblade Smiles, the band convinces everybody and nails the set with Fire. The audience even forgets that they're standing in a pretty unstable position to start dancing and jumping as if the studio had turned into a moshpit.

Giving out his tambourine, maracas, and a few kisses to the girls in the front row, Tom Meighan leaves the venue as the true rock n' roll star he now is while the rest of the band gets warmly applauded. Tonight, Kasabian have proved they belong to history. Next episode November 22nd at Le Zenith.

French version on Sound Of Violence

Kasabian showcase @Sony Paris- September 1st

Kasabian played a short acoustic showcase today  in Paris to promote their new album Velociraptor for a small crowd of lucky people.
The setlist was:
- Days Are Forgotten
- Where Did All The Love Go

- Underdog
- Thick As Thieves
- Fire

This short performance was awesome, as you can imagine. Tom Meighan is probably the best frontman in the UK these days, Sergio Pizzorno a gifted songwriter, Ian Matthews and Christopher Edwards make one of the best rhytm section while Jay Mehler enjoys being the solo guitarist.

Days Are Forgotten sounds actually quite good acoustic and still has that powerful James Bond movie theme in it. It will be a must-have on the next tour.

I took the time (and an immense pleasure ;) ) to take some pictures and a couple of videos that you can check out on my youtube channelwww.youtube.com/user/TheCranberryClaire

HUGE THANKS TO SONYMUSIC FRANCE for allowing me and fellow bloggers/fans/ journalists to enjoy this concert.

Kasabian premiering new song on French TV show.

Kasabian played l'album de la semaine tonight. The setlist was
- Velociraptor
-where did all the love go?
- days are forgotten
- shoot the runner
- underdog
- re-wired
- fast fuse
- switchblade smiles
- fire

The new tunes were massive in this really small venue (60people max) and the old ones were just as good as you can imagine. Re-Wired is a massive rock tune with hints of 80s vibe, The Who discovering The Stone Roses! should be a must-have in the tour. It's , well, 10X better than the albm version, Sergio being a true rock guru while Tom is... a hedgehog (quoting Mr Meighan himself) ;)

The show will be on TV and internet September 24th, 11:30 AM (Paris time)

REVIEW: Beady Eye- Different Gear, Still Speeding (IN FRENCH)

Find my updated review on the following website

Soundofviolence