LeTigre
Words: Marky Mark

Genre defining, politically progressive artists are few and far between these days- especially those who champion the queer agenda to a frenetic electro-punk-new-wave soundtrack. Le Tigre is the rare animal that owes as much to its feminist leanings as its dancefloor ready jams. Equal parts ESG and Chuck D, their 1999 self titled debut was met with critical praise and filled the ideological void left by the dissolution of riot grrl mastheads Bikini Kill. Since that groundbreaking album, they've changed their lineup, brought their amazing live show around the world, released two EPs and a full length, and collaborated on numerous feminist art projects. With their new release, This Island –third full length, first major label- the NYC trio incorporated recording into their daily routines via identical protools setups at each of their apartments and worked with an outside producer for the first time. The result is a sonically advanced and diverse work with a distinct New York feel, filled to the brim with activist anthems.

Johanna Fateman and JD Samson took the time speak about their new album, party politics, and how to be awesome.

Thanks for taking the time to sit and chat with us. I understand that you took a new approach to creating This Island. What can fans expect from this record?

JD: They should expect to dance!

JF: Yeah! Definitely a dance party! As for creating this record, a couple things were different this time around. The album was co-produced by Nick Sessiano …and it was our first time working with an outside producer. The biggest change was all of us working through identical pro-tools setups at each of our apartments. The process was different since we could incorporate songwriting into our daily routines. I could take off from where JD or Kathleen finished by passing a hard drive and we could exchange ideas and write that way, every day. Before, we would take a month off to record in North Carolina because the studio time was so much cheaper there than in Manhattan. We'd just be crashing in motels or on people's floors during recording. We decided we needed to change that process for the health of the band.

What influences your song writing? What bands are you listening to?

JD: We like to challenge mainstream media with our songs. I think people are ready for it. For example, our first single, New Kicks, has all of this audio I recorded from protest marches. The issues we raise are personal for us and it comes out…

JF: As far as bands…hmm..., next to our practice space is this punk band of 14 year olds doing straight forward punk songs –that's really refreshing... Erase Erratta are a really awesome band….Measles Mumps Rubella, Dynasty… so many to list since there's a lot of great bands right now.

You guys are currently on tour with your kick ass live show. Where's your favorite place to tour? Who would be your dream tour lineup?

JF: We actually have our dream tour lineup right now. Lesbians On Ecstasy, The Gossip, Gravy Train- they're all our favorites and we love to play with them. As for favorite place to tour, I'd have to say Paris.

Did you see that Vice Do's and Don'ts where they feature a guy dressed exactly like JD? Do you feel that you influence the fashion of your audiences as well as their politics? Do you feel like role models?

JD: Yeah, actually I know that kid. He sent me a portrait he painted for me too. Good Kid.

JF: Didn't he intern for us for a while?

JD: My grandpa came to a show… After the show he said, "Since your last show, I've seen a lot of kids wearing your hat." Maybe we do influence fashion a bit.

JF: I don't know if we influence the politics of our audiences. I'd say our fans already have the values we promote. I wouldn't want to be thought of as a role model as much as someone who could be their friend who can hopefully turn them onto new ideas, new things.

Le Tigre's "This Island" came out Fall '04 and its pretty hot. We talked a lot about politics and the Republican National Convention in NY in the interview as well, but it was just too depressing to transcribe now that we have four more years of the Bush Administration.

Live Review: Le Tigre /Gravy Train ( Fall ‘04 Boston)
Words: John Bevins

Alright, lemme start off by saying that forcing your way through thousands of riot police and millions of drunken Red Sox fans is not a good way to start a night. After being forced by police to go around Fenway park the long way, and shoving through herds of people, I finally got to Avalon. This is a tight place, with not so friendly service, and an expensive coat check. This place looks like it's set up for a euro-trash dance party till 9 in the morning.

Now get this, I finally get in, as Gravy train is almost done playing. This is one of the most eclectic pop bands I have ever seen. I'm not talking pop like A*Teens or shit like that, I'm talking pop with a serious garage sound. Pop as if it were assembled with a bottle of aspirin, a bad hangover and a good idea.

Lyrics and stage antics dripping with blunt and crude sexuality are extremely entertaining. It might be trendy nowadays to dress like the worst of the 80's is back, but I don't think the members of gravy train looked for anything besides hotpants and anything neon. The attire was just as entertaining as the catchy synth beats and the addictive lyrics.

So basically, Gravy Train put on a good show, bound to make you feel positive and sleazy at the same time.

They remind me of some kind of urban legend, where there's like 12 kids living in a 3 bedroom apartment, and the cops get called all the time for loud obnoxious parties, just for them to show up and find people passed out on the lawn, holes in the walls, dirty words spray painted on everything with pink spray paint, random clothes on the lawn, and beer bottles flying from unknown locations just to crash against waiting squad cars parked in the street.

Listen to gravy train if:

A) you need to get over your social anxiety problems

B) you want something to piss off the people you're living with

C) you just need to face that we're all weird and have perverted minds

D) if you're a 16 year old girl, and you want your parents to think you're having sex with that boy you brought home for dinner

It's good addictive stuff.