"Sex Tourists" and "Said So What" both off of FRENCH KICKS album entitled Swimming, are two of my favorite songs, so of course I jumped at the chance to see them live in DC. Yes, it was the day before I was flying home to Los Angeles and I did have strep throat but whatever, the price you pay to see a great band. If you haven't heard of French Kicks, they're an alternative band from the Washington, DC area. If you like THE STROKES, SOUND TEAM, or THE WALKMEN, you'll love the French Kicks.
One of the benefits of the Black Cat is how close the audience can get to the band. Lawrence Strumpf (bassist in the French Kicks) is pictured above selling t-shirts to some fans. The "easy access" of band members have made the Black Cat a special place to attend shows. The experience becomes not only about the music, but also about the people behind the music. I was able to talk to Lawrence while the opening band was playing, and I learned that he actually designed the band's t-shirts, designs and logos. Learning information like that makes wearing the band shirt so much more unique because you know that it personally represents the band members.
Looking around, it seemed as if the entire audience consisted of bearded thirty somethings like the two men above. Girls in the audience were hard to come by, unless they were in a group of at least five hairy men. The difference between French Kicks and other bands, is that they somehow managed to escape some of the pain of the business and still maintain a good deal of success. The French Kicks have somehow struck a balance that is as close to idealistic as it gets; the play music because they love it while benefitting from an organic growth of fans. The secret is their blatant love for the music they play mixed with a fair amount of coolness towards the business aspects of music. Fans have respect for French Kicks because it's obvious that the creation and sharing of their music is their foremost priority. And so, they keep drawing back their bearded fans.
French Kicks are known for their modular melodies and gleaming guitar pedals. Nick Stumpf, lead vocals and guitar, immediately took control of the stage. It is hard to categorize the band members into a certain "position" in the band. First we have Nick Stumpf, the original member of the band as lead vocals and guitar. Then we have Nick's younger brother, Lawrence Stumpf on bass. Third we have Josh Wise also on lead vocals and guitar. And last we have Aaron Thurston (like my dorm), the drummer. The appeal of their set was not only the versatility of the guitar pedals used by Josh Wise, but also the diversity between the guitars and their matching vocals. Throughout the show, guitar solos and lead vocals on songs would bounce around all over the stage, giving each band member a chance to "show their stuff".
NICK STUMPF
JOSH WISE
If you want to download "Sex Tourists" right click on the link below.
