Everybody Was In The French Resistance...Now!

I had been looking forward to this one for quite a while now. Ever since this past December, when tracks from Eddie Argos' new sideproject titled Everybody Was In The French Resistance...Now! started to make their way onto my digital listening devices. When last seen aroud these parts, Eddie Argos was selling out five consecutive nights at The Mercury Lounge with his primary band - Art Brut. They came back to New York once more in Autumn - then word began circulating about this other project on the horizon.

While Art Brut took a hiatus after circling the globe a few times on tour - Eddie partnered up with his girlfriend and musician in her own right - Dyan Valdes of The Blood Arm - to create this project.


Dyan and Eddie

Finally they were here in New York to play their first of two nights on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at The Mercury Lounge (the following night playing at Brooklyn's Union Hall).

I had caught up with Eddie via telephone the previous week - while they were still out in the midwest (somewhere between Minnesota and Wisconsin). I asked him about the constant touring, and if he enjoyed it. "I like it because you get a feeling as if you are in a gang. I enjoy traveling and like meeting new people. Then packing it up and going to a new location," he said.



The song that sets the thematic tone for the band - "Creeque Allies" contains a number of names and historical reference checks. Eddie told me he was "a big fan of this era" (the WWII 1940's) and that one of his fave films is Casablanca. He also relayed that Dyan studied history at UCLA and was influential in selecting the band's name. Dyan also has a strong musical background - playing piano since she was 5 years old - and as such, she is responsible for writing all the music. Eddie, being the literary sort that he is, is predominanlty responsible for all the lyrics.

Watch and listen as they open the show in dramatic fashion - and then launch into Creeque Allies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2NYedoD1a0





In addition to this introductory song - which conceptualizes the band's name - the entire collection of songs (and the album which accompanies it - Fixing the Charts, Volume 1) is written as a "response" to a popular (and sometimes not so popular) song that came before it. You can read all the wry explanations Eddie gives for each song via the links at the end of this piece, as I'd rather not rehash what has already been written and focus on, well, newer information.

On this next song, titled "(I'm So) Waldo P. Emerson Jones" Eddie mused to the Mercury Lounge crowd that he'd come to the realization that everyone just might not be as familiar with the Archies comic book character this is based on, as he is. I had to agree with him there. Nevertheless, it's an extremely catchy song, and very worth a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4aYWr0F4_M



Accompanying Eddie & Dyan on this tour
is Art Brut guitarist Ian Catskilkin

Crunchy guitarist Ian Catskilkin adds power and punch to the punky two minute song that is "Superglue"

Dyan's sweet background vocals once again provide a musical base for Eddie to tell his tale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWrfkwBSUJc




Eddie brings a smile to everyone's face as he reveals how he might possibly be the offspring of Michael Jackson and the Billie Jean he sang about. "My mother always told me I was a surprise - not a mistake," is the clever lyrical hook to "Billie's Genes." As the Stax soul tribute takes shape, it is quite amusing to watch Dyan and Ian try to keep a straight face as they deliver their vocal punctuation "hoo hoo's".

Watch, listen and you might just agree:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNy3aOmCpFc




Ian moved to the drums as the band went completely live - with Dyan playing a lovely piano shape on the verses of "My Way (Is Not Always the Best Way)"

"Sometimes I'm not so wise, I make mistakes - ocassionally," Eddie confesses.
It's a far cry from Frank Sinatra's confident bravado.

See what I mean:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNy3aOmCpFc




"Hey - it's Jimmy Mack - yeah, I've heard your track - if that's your attitude - I am never coming back!" Eddie exclaims. In an ineffable "response" to Martha Reeves classic song, the point is driven home that you should never play with a man's heart like this.

Once again, Dyan's background vocals adds musical legitamacy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zr0uiufggI




An accomplished musician and vocalist, Eddie informed me that Dyan not only wrote all the music for this collection of songs, but played most the instruments on their album as well (with the exception of guitar and drums). Of particular note are the horn parts written for Waldo P. Emerson Jones and the harpsichord part for "Think Twice (It's Not Alright)."



Ian (the cat) Catskilkin displays accomplished guitar technique and a keen sense of harmony.



Dyan contemplates her next musical interlude


With the show now in high gear, Eddie informs the audience to be on the lookout for Avril Lavigne! "Normally she's at our gigs. I think she's in the crowd somewhere, so be careful, girls - she's after your men," Eddie warns. "But primarily, she's after me," he continues. "Hey Avril - I have a girlfren (and I spell it like Jonathan Richmond)"

Look and listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSyxyUDSjcs




Not only does Avril steal boyfriends, but she's now been caught "misappropriating" large chunks of other people's songs. Here Eddie & Dyan set the record straight, with this delightful cover of the orginal song - by a band called The Rubinoos - their Power Pop song I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend - complete with a lively guitar solo from Ian.




Piano notes, smiles and "la, la, la's"




Not content to merely sing from the stage, Eddie waded out into the audience, bringing the music (and the live show experience) to a crowd-pleasing more personal level.

The Mercury Lounge attendees found it to be a most rewarding experience.

Meeting Dyan at the show!

Supporting on this night was a band called Murder Mystery

They were pretty good and I enjoyed what I heard on first listen. However, what I liked best about them was they appeared to have "the world's happiest drummer." This girl was what you would call "cute" (but not traditionally beautiful, in that glam-cheekbones and lips sort of way - like, say - Dyan is). However, while she was playing, she would break out in a ear-to-ear grin that showed someone who was truly enjoying what they were doing.

She also sang lead on a couple of songs - danced - and was quite charming in her casual, unpretentious innocense. It made for a most pleasant experience, while waiting for the headliners to come on.

To read, hear and learn more about Everybody Was In The French Resistance...Now! check out the links below:

http://www.cookingvinyl.com/

http://www.myspace.com/fixingthecharts

http://the-eddie-argos-resource.blogspot.com/

Join with them now - because the Resistance needs you!