OK - I am playing a bit of catch-up here....there are just so many amazing shows to check out this month that I can't keep up! OOHLALA Tour come through San Francisco some nights back, and headlining this tour were the always amazing electro-pop French duo Housse De Racket. I first learned about these boys when I was booking my SXSW 2012 showcase - and I booked them - but then they had to cancel. Bummer! Then they played Coachella, but I was unable to attend the festival this year. Bummer! Needless to say, this was my first time seeing Housse De Racket - and on this night in San Francisco, my mind was officially blown.
Popscene and KCRW sponsored this event, so I already knew I was in for a real treat with the other bands - Citizens! in particular.....they were amazing - but the real draw for me was Housse De Racket. They played a late set starting after 12:30am to a somewhat thinning crowd - in this city so many people don't drive and have to leave to catch BART, and I actually liked this because it made things a bit more intimate for the rest of us. Holy crap - I had no idea they rocked so hard. I can only describe their sound as the perfect combination of electronic, indie rock, and classic rock....... and it fuckin rocked! This is a very special brand of electro-pop!
The set was comprised mostly of songs off their second album Alesia, and I was surprised to hear their most popular song "Chateau" early on, like the third song, but that did not ruin the energy of the set. Song after song I stood in the back with my hands on top of my head saying what the fuck is going on here - and then I danced - a lot! The bands stage presents is explosive and these boys - guitarist Pierre Leroux and drummer Victor LeMasn - can really work a crowd! When you get the chance - you must see this band!!
