Fauves- Live at The Green Room

I really wanted to see Fauves tonight.  When I was asked to pop along to The Green Room and review them I initially declined.  I was going to be in Edinburgh for a pre-birthday treat (a Nepalese curry courtesy of my thoughtful girlfriend Jo) and thought there was no way I'd be back in time.  I was intrigued though, Googled the band and came across the video for 'Hit Like This' which featured the band dressed up like a more playful Devo and performing a perfect bass-led pop belter.  'We've got to go to this', I told Jo.

We arrive just in time to hear the end of the first song, an alluring slice of sexy robot funk entitled 'Bleep-Blop'.  'I think we've got away with it', Jo says, hurriedly ordering a rose wine and a pint of Innis & Gunn to take in with us.  She spoke too soon, the card reader was out of order leaving me to dash, like Usain Bolt with a beer gut, to the cash machine.  I miss all of the second song, 'Twilight Daylight' which on record is a foot-tapping, indie disco monster but Jo assures me that it was equally funky live.

Drinks finally in hand we find a free spot and settle in to watch the show.  Apart from a tiny drunken pocket of middle-agers to the left of the stage, we are easily the oldest people in the room.  We decided not to draw attention to this by joining the youngsters dancing in the front row and instead lean against a pillar nursing our drinks.  The Fauves are putting on a great show.  Guitarist, Rory Bradley, sonically channels Chic's Nile Rogers, letting down his man-bun and whipping his hair around like a dervish.  He looks for all the world like a hipster Bernard Butler. 

It's not long before the band break out 'Hit Like This', it's a real crowd favourite thanks to that amazing bass-line, courtesy of Jonny Glass, and a catchy vocal melody. With his endearing, slightly strained falsetto and impeccable pop sensibility it occurs to me that singer Ryan Caldwell is the weegie equivalent of Curtis Mayfield.With his endearing, slightly strained falsetto and impeccable pop sensibility it occurs to me that singer Ryan Caldwell is the weegie equivalent of Curtis Mayfield.  The short set finishes with a one-two punch of the impossibly smooth recent single 'Blank Eyes' (from their upcoming Ep, out in June) and the romantic 'Head Spins' from their debut release.  It's been an impressive performance from a young band that are definitely going places.  I can't wait to hear their future releases.

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After the show I caught up with the band and their plans for the future.  Check it out!

What’s behind the name?

The name Fauves comes from a French style of art, I also believe it means “the wild beast”.

There is also an Australian band called The Fauves. If it came to a fight over the name, do you think you could take them?

I suppose if we left the lawyers to it, they might win, but we’re not taking any chances. We're going to bludgeon them at the first opportunity.

Ha ha. Your debut EP is a really strong statement. What are your hopes for the future of the band? Is there going to be a longer release in 2019 ?

Thank you very much, we have a second EP out in June, which features our latest single “Blank Eyes”.

My girlfriend said that your guitarist shakes his luxurious hair around like he's in a herbal essences advert. I think she was quite jealous of what great condition it's in. What's his secret?

Brilliant hahahaha!  We think it might just be really good lighting to be honest.

Who are your influences, musically speaking?

We’re influenced by a lot of different music.  Funky, jazzy stuff mostly. Everything from the Bee Gees and Steely Dan through to 90's Hip Hop and R&B, Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Lots of different kinds of sounds!

What's the one question you'd like to be asked that I haven't asked you, and what is the answer?

The question would be: 'Do Fauves by any chance want a record deal and a rich we want to be able to eat nothing but money every day, eating nice debit and credit cards up as if they were fun size popadoms music mogul sugar daddy.  I know a few I could put you in touch with.  The answer would be: 'Yes please we want to be able to eat nothing but money every day, eating nice debit and credit cards up as if they were fun size popadoms and wolfing down delicious pound coins in milk in the morning instead of bran flakes.

Ha ha. It's been fun interviewing you guys. Hopefully, you get the record deal and your Brian Epstein style sugar daddy soon.

Pray for us Colin, it’s all we've wanted for a long time!