Wow Wow Wowzers! You want to go see the HOT PUPPIES? Well be prepared to have your socks knocked right off because this band are about to explode onto the current music scene and change the face of indie pop as we know it.
How to describe them? Arty, poppy, punky, kischy, glam, sharp, clever... I could go on. Imagine a cross between Blondie, the Stranglers, and Pulp, but with a lead vocalist who sounds a bit like Gwen Stefani. Their songs are spattered throughout with 1950's rock-n-roll guitars, Theremins, and swirling Hammond organs which are catchy and yet insanely creepy at the same time, like from some twisted sea-side fairground.
Singer Becky Newman is very sexy and sassy, with bags of attitude and passion, complemented by an equally striking Beth Gibsons on keyboard and backing vocals. They seem to be the ying to the yang of the blokey rhythm section, comprised of Luke Taylor (guitar, vocals), Ben Faircloth (Bass) and Bert Woods (drums). Its a great combination of stage personalities, which makes for an entertaining gig.
They opened their set to a packed audience in the Water Rats, Kings Cross London, with their forthcoming single "Terry", which is undoubtedly a fabulous tune. Newman's performance is excellent, the way she moves around the stage is sophisticated, methodical and deliberating - making it all the more powerful when she lets loose and starts screaming (in tune of course) into the microphone.
Every song was a story within itself, taking you back to a bizarre Film Noir world filled with bingo halls, tea rooms, and rainy weather. Plus there are sharp and sinister undertones throughout their music, which is a nice twist on the joyous punky sounds that you initially think you're getting.
As they put it, "We [come from] a coastal town three hours from anywhere... when you live in the country... there's less going on but everything has significance". And this really comes across in the lyrics and the feel of their music, which is a delicious mix of punk, kitsch, and disco. And its great to see a band who know how to use a synthesizer properly - Hot Puppies don't have a lead guitarist as such, the organ takes its place with a strikingly unique effect.
Furthermore, if you know your stuff you'll be able to pick out some of the many art and literature references dotted in all their songs. Reportedly they are huge fans of Beatnik poets such as Dorothy Parker, again something congruent to their image. On asking them who inspires their lyrics they said, suprisingly, that "the biggest inspiration when writing thematically is Hank Williams. When you live in the country its the world he sings about that you identify with and recognise." They go on to say that also "...Gilbert Hernandez, the comic book writer and artist - and the greatest living artist full stop - is referred to in every one of our songs."
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I had to ask, for the sake of my own curiosity, who Terry was and why he was bad for them (as per the lyrics), and I got the rather vague but enigmatic answer that "Terry is very real. If you value the love of your family and the respect of your contemporise then stay away." There you go girls, you've been told.
So how did the Hot Puppies form to make such an unusual and brilliant band? And does their music influence their lifestyle, or do they put it to bed when they get home?
Hot Puppies formed at the end of 2001, as they explained, "Like a lot of people starting bands we were drawn together by being at odds with popular culture... It seemed a good way for us to see the world and the world to see us.
"We certainly know the lifestyle we would like to lead, and it would ideally be within a Douglas Sirk movie, which probably explains why we haven't got any friends."
Things are certainly moving forward fast for this band, having recently been on tour with Art Brut - the highlights for them being "...getting to know a bunch of such nice talented people, and disco dancing with them cause they are great dance partners."
They have recently been the first band to be signed to Label Fandango, and their future plans include "a duet with Peter Wyngarde and getting our own Trivial Pursuits question." Not entirely unattainable methinks.
This band are destined for great things, I would definitely recommend anyone go see them if you get the opportunity!
So boys and girls, get out your sparkly glad-rags, slap on the eyeliner and lip-gloss, head for the nearest dance hall and insist that they play Hot Puppies all night long...
(Their forthcoming double A-side single, Terry/Love in Practice, Not Theory is released on Label Fandango on 7th November.)
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