GIG REVIEW: Neimo
- Posted on September 3, 2008 5:29 PM
- 0 comments
Neimo
Water Rats, London
1st September 2008
Review by Katie Spain
The French make bloody good wine, fine cheese and mighty delicious baguettes. What you don’t usually associate France with is Indie Rock sung in English. It’s a hot topic when it comes to band Neimo, but on Monday night they proved they’ve got what it takes to rival the best of them – whatever the dialect.
Great music evokes a reaction; it tickles your insides and captures a moment. Neimo’s short Water Rats set did just that on Monday night and although a majority of the crowd was there to see the other bands, frontman Bruno Alexandre gave them no choice but to get involved. His self-assured demeanor, strong vocals and captivating stage presence vibrated off the walls and had us mesmerized. This is a frontman who leaves the stage and looks deep into the eyes of the individual audience members. There’s heart in this music and it’s written all over the foursome’s faces.
Allegedly, the Shangri-La Music (American label) signed band was unable to be signed by a French record label because their songs were in English. Radio station programming in France must be at least 40% French; quite frankly, I think they’re missing out. Soon-to-be released album ‘Modern Incidental’ features some catchy as Parisian fuck Pop/Rock tunes. New single ‘Poison The Chalice’ and hook-packed gems ‘Johnny Five’, and ‘Hot Girl’ have an addictive foot-tapping, smile inducing quality that make a Monday night gig forage worth the effort.
There are people out there that say that the world doesn’t need another Indie Rock band; maybe they’re right. What the world does need however, is this refreshing dash of simple 80s-esque Parisian talent. There’s always space for more music and there’s certainly space for straight-talking, humble band members like Bruno Alexandre, Camille Troillard, Matthieu Joly and Alexis Hadefi. I was fortunate enough to share an interview and a post-gig Espresso Martini or three with the guys and they’re as nice as they come.
It’s not surprising really; they’ve done it the hard way and worked their way up from tiny gigs. This ain’t no Parisian flash in the pan; catch them while you can still get close enough breathe the same sweaty air.
Their Wednesday night Death Disco set at Notting Hill Arts Club is set to be a packed out affair. Squirm your way up the front, it’s got nothing to do with the music, but this band look good too. Hey, aesthetics matter.
Like escargot, Neimo isn’t to everyone’s taste, but “Get ‘em down your gullet” and you might just find yourself addicted.
EP “Poison the Chalice” is out on 1 September
Related links:
Neimo's MySpace.
Neimo on Seatwave.
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