The "eight-headed beast from the hard-scrabble streets of Menilmontant," Les Sans Culottes borrowed their name from the ill-clad (i.e., long-trousered) citizen soldiers of the French Revolution. The famous disposers of the House of Bourbons have been on a binge ever since springing wholly-formed in the fashion of Pallas Athena from the forehead of band leader, Clermont Ferrand, in 1998, and features the only other continuous original member of the group Kit Kat Le Noir (the band has gone through over 25 different line-ups in their 10 year history with various back-up musicians). In fact, some former members tried to start another band with a remarkably similar concept to Les Sans Culottes in 2005, and even tried to call that second group "Les Sans Culottes." Since this band was already using that name, however, they were stopped by a court order.
The band has released six recordings: 1999's eponymous "Les Sans Culottes," 7 song EP; 2001's "The Ennui and the Ecstasy"; 2002's "Faux Realism"; 2003's "Full Frontal Crudite'- Live in Paris"; 2004's "Fixation Orale"; and 2007's "Le Weekender" on the Vibratone Label. On July 14, 2007, the band also made the cd single "Exquisite Corps" featuring their french language versions of "These Boots are Made for Walkin'" (Ces Bottes ....), and "My Sharona" (Ma Sharona).
The group has licensed songs featured in a national commercial for HP, and for Ariel Lessive in Europe, and Touchstone films' "The Hot Chick" and 2005's Quentin Tarantino- produced Miramax release "Daltrey Calhoun." The band's music was also featured extensively in various MTV programs such as "Surf Girls" and "The Real World." They've headlined such venerable New York City venues as Bowery Ballroom, Joe's Pub, Southpaw, and Mercury Lounge, and have shared the stage with The Electric Six, Holly Golightly, and Detroit Cobras, the Dirtbombs, Ringo Starr, etc.
Les Sans Culottes' first album for Vibratone Records, titled "Le Weekender," takes its signature sound--a snarling Serge Gainsbourg backed by Mott the Hoople, effortlessly blended with cooing 60's girl-group harmonies--but also adds a diversity previously unexplored in earlier recordings bv the band.
The band toys with a hint of lounge on "La Semaine a Deux Jeudis," revels in the infectious pop of "Merci Beacoup" and "Les Enfants Terribles," and dives head-on into Detroit aggro-garage rock in "Basquiat" and "Les Monstres Du Ca." Yet each of the album's 13 tracks retain a common thread -- the unmistakable, inimitable spark of Les Sans Culottes.
The band's sound has variously been described as "Tristan Tzara and Little Richard in a knife fight," "Kim Fowley and Serge Gainsbourg in a game of pictionary," and "Laetitia Costa, Marcel Duchamp, Tuli Kupferberg, and Charo playing spin the bottle." Yet everyone agrees it has to be believed to be seen. It is Grand Guignol rock au maximum French rock for English speakers and others.
Les Sans Culottes take-no-prisoners live shows have "Earned a reputation forexcessively fabulous performances and intoxicatingly catchy pop music in the mold of Serge Gainsbourg and Jacques Dutronc." (NY Daily News). "Their live show is a BUH-last, and they bring a veritable Cirque de SLAY stage presence." (DJ Terre T- WFMU).
Both modern French Revolutionaries (by way of Brooklyn) and sartorially stylish (culotteless!) maverick rock n rollers Les Sans Culottes are coming to your town to help you party down -- after all, they're an americain band.
The band's new album "Le Weekender", released on Vibratone Records, is now available.
