Olga Bas Photography + Music Reviews » kills

Update: The Kills x 2

Galatea — Sat, 09 May 2009 18:08:36 +0000

I’ve seen The Kills several times before, but they always make me want to come back. Unfortunately, the Webster Hall show last Saturday, besides making my back hurt for the rest of the week, wasn’t very fun. Or eventful.

The Kills at Webster Hall; May 2nd 2009

Fortunately, The Monday show at Music Hall of Williamsburg made up for it in spades. Not only was there a violent altercation between Jamie Hince and a “fan”, but they also threw in two covers (“Crazy” by Willie Nelson and “I Put a Spell on You” by Screaming’ Jay Hawkins) to mix up the exact same set list they played only two days before.

The Kills at Music Hall of Williamsburg; May 4th 2009

A few more photos from both shows below…

The Kills at Webster Hall; May 2nd 2009

The Kills at Music Hall of Williamsburg; May 4th 2009

The Kills – Tape Song

Galatea — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:27:04 +0000

Released: November 24th 2008

Tick-tocking like a time bomb with metronome-like regularity, the latest single off ‘Midnight Boom’ unwinds with controlled precision. Slinking, elegant and dangerous, VV puts across an urgency in her voice, crooning in perfect sync with Hotel‘s guitar, plucked like he means it. The final throes of the song are thrashed out in a cacophony of ravaged vocals underlaid by Hotel‘s low but far from soothing voice. There’s what sounds like the clack of pots and pans in the background and the cold drum machine clashes on.

Like The Kills‘ electric live show, ‘Tape Song’ exemplifies what the band does best: chaos controlled.

Previously published on This Is Fake DIY.

The Kills, Roseland Ballroom, New York

Galatea — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 21:45:31 +0000

Date: September 9th 2005

When The Kills walk on to the stage, nobody outright expects a mindblowing performance. Yet then the waifish VV starts stalking around, convulsing as if possessed by the music, while Hotel gazes out smugly, stripping the notes of his guitar, and wide-eyed looks are exchanged within the audience. This is showmanship.

There is an intense energy in the air making the audience feel guilty for just standing and gaping wordlessly. The duo toy with the audience, making it impossible to tell whether they are itching to kiss each other, or about to bang heads until either bleeds. To the disappointment of many, they do neither. To make up for it, they grind their guitars together, the strings wailing in sympathy.

The drum machine thunks and the guitar feverishly tries to keep up during ‘No Wow’ and ‘The Good Ones’, and instead of outright dancing, the crowd stomps their feet while heads bop. ‘Love Is A Deserter’ proves a triumphant finish to the set, and where would it be without some of that irresistible violence and passion? A man, a woman and a drum machine make more noise than anyone would expect them to.

It’s very possible that The Kills upstaged headliners Bloc Party tonight.

Previously published on This Is Fake DIY.