Frontman Argos called the new “Jarvis”…

 

 

 

By Nancy Dunham

 

 

I’m the first to admit Brit rocker Jarvis made
amazing music in the mid ‘90s but am surprised a frontman – in this case Eddie
Argos of Art Brut — would link his name to someone still living down the 1996
Brit Awards incident (You remember – Michael Jackson performing, Cocker
invading the stage, hurling kid performers off it, and then mooning Jackson and
the audience).

 

 

But I digress. Eddie Argos – who publicists call
“The New Jarvis” – has led  English-German indie rock band Art Brut to
popular success in France, Germany and even South
America. Now the band is heading to some major U.S. cities as it
tours behind its Frank Black-produced album Art
Brut vs. Satan.

 

 

 “In the past
I’ve been worried about what people might think about our records, but this
time I don’t care. I know it’s good,” said Argos in a press statement.

 

 

The rocky road that brought Argos and his bandmates
to this album includes severing a relationship with EMI after the label
released Pump Up the Volume without
the band’s permission, writing “SLAVE” on his face and standing by as guitarist
Jasper Future posted anti-EMI blogs.

 

 

“It was us being a bit cocky and rude, but that
works for us,” he added.

 

 

Let’s hope that if it doesn’t in the future, he can
make his points while keeping his pants on.

 

 

U.S. Tour:

 

June 1 – New York – Mercury Lounge

June 2 – New York – Mercury Lounge

June 3 – New York – Mercury Lounge

June 4 –  New York – Mercury Lounge

June 5 – New York – Mercury Lounge

June 6 – Philadelphia – Johnny Brendas

June 8 – Chicago – Schubas Tavern

June 9 – Chicago – Schubas Tavern

June10 – Chicago – Schubas Tavern

June 11  – Chicago – Schubas
Tavern

June 12  – Chicago – Schubas
Tavern

June 13  – Seattle – Neumos

June 15 -San Francisco – Independent

June 16 – Los Angeles – Spaceland

June 17 – Los Angeles, Spaceland

June 18  – Los Angeles, Spaceland

June 19 –  Los Angeles, The Echo