INTERPO
ANTICS |

Travis Paterson, OP Contributor

  
 
 

“This is a concept
This is a bracelet
This isn’t no intervention”

Interpol, whose lyrics were
at one time criticized for a
lack of flow and meaning,
have surprised critics with
their September release of
Antics, which won them
Artist of the Year at New
York City’s Plug awards on
Feb 10. The web-based vot-
ing Plug Awards recognizes
artists, labels, publications,
retailers, and bloggers that
strengthen the independent
community.

Last weekend I managed
to hit Interpol’s “all-ages”
show at the Paramount in
Seattle. I had seen them once

before—when they played

 

the Commodore Ballroom

back on Oct 23, and I sur-

 

prised myself by standing Apparently Ametican crowd came v

“all-ages” means, “gather to the
three hours in the freezing-cold, pissing rain— — front, sober little children, and watch the show Ribbon partner in crime
and they had definitely merited a second show. _ like it’s on television so we can ruin it for the vis gonna jump, you have to g
Hence the luxurious three-hour drive to Seattle. iting Canadians in their drunken stupor.” I hadn’t which he appropriately re
Also luxurious was the six-pack of Pabst Blue — been to the Paramount Theater in Seattle before, his middle finger in a fi

j ce - — > mie 2 a z 4 £ :
Ribbon for only five bucks. Beat that, Canada. but I knew it was a legendary venue, the Emerald Indeed, he was the only
Before I go on, Id like to describe an “all- City’s equivalent to the Commodore Ballroom. begged the question to th

ages” show as an absolute horror of an idea. ‘The ceiling and walls are ornate with turn-of-the- show: Why were you at th

century mouldings, The glumster band ¢

 

 

 

 

 

reminding me of my
youth, when I travelled
to Versailles. With great
sound and a massive
floor, the Paramount is a
first-class joint and a
perfect host venue for
any show, particularly
the strapping and well-
groomed gentlemen of
Interpol.

They ripped off a
solid set in true New
York fashion, a blitzkrieg
of strobes silhouetting
the stage with their inter-
national mystique. A
highlight of the

formed in 1998 at New

guitarist Daniel Kessler
Dengler in a history class.
Banks during a stay in Parig
touch, they ran into each ¢
New York a couple of y
became the front man for {
up the name from a one-tir
who would refer to him as

No singles from Ay
Billboard charts in the UJ
ished at 15 on the Billboar
charts.

Most recently, Interpc
Daniel remix of “Slow Hi
Tsunami Relief double-di
Among others on the CI
Cutie, Wilco, and Franz Fe

FEBRUARY 23/2005