Art Brut (night 4), Cymbals Eat Guitars, Phil & the Osophers @ Mercury Lounge in NYC - pics

photos by Paul Birman

FOUR shows at Mercury Lounge!

“Argos – unlike most bands that try, which is most bands these days – can successfully appropriate other bands and other bands’ songs as source material. Satan name-drops U2, Brian Eno, The Beatles and Stones ([Monday] night [at Mercury Lounge], he added The Beach Boys and Ramones to “What a Rush,” Razorlight to “Demons Out!”) and steals old titles for new songs (“The Passenger,” “Twist and Shout”). Bobby Fuller gets reworked in “Mysterious Bruises:” “I fought the floor and the floor won.” It’s because Art Brut‘s self-conscious mission statement – look at us, we formed a band – was itself a retreat into music. They’re allowed to bitch about pop charts (“Demons” was introduced as “a civilized customer complaint”). The realization that “those are just records that our parents owned” seems like blasphemy in this world, and not because it involves John & Paul & Mick & Keef.” [heartonastick]

Four down, one to go! Art Brut played their fourth of five NYC shows at Mercury Lounge last night (6/4). Their fifth, with Jeffrey Lewis and Keith TOTP, is tonight, Friday, June 5th. More pictures from Thursday, including the openers and one of Art Brut’s setlist, below….

Phil and the Osophers

Cymbals Eat Guitars

Art Brut

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We didn’t get pictures of the third night, but here are NIGHT TWO and NIGHT ONE.