This is an amazing debut CD and the band has set the bar pretty high for other local bands.

While White Rabbits reside in Brooklyn, their sound dates back to the late-70's British mod revival. The closest points of comparison are Adam & the Ants, Madness, The Specials and (early) Squeeze. It is amazing the energy that the band plays with. The band plays with an intensity that so few bands capture while recording (think anything by The Jam or Adam Ant's Prince Charming CD). You can quickly tell that this band is likely to be a fabulous live act.

The band has a unique musical style that is tough to pin down. They use two drummers (like the early Ants) and heavy keys (like The Specials) but the White Rabbits only use elements from these bands and clearly are not derivatives of either act. Simply put -- this is great indie dance music. The CD production is also stellar as the vocals are clear and distinct and complement the music without overpowering it. As you can hear the lyrics, they are a bit dark but the melodies are insanely catchy.

The band is playing the David Letterman show next Thursday (July 19th) and are playing the main stage at the Siren Festival in Coney Island on July 21st. For the Siren Fest, the band is scheduled to take the stage at 1:30PM. The band is touring in August with The Cribs and here are the upcoming tour dates:

7-21 BROOKLYN SIREN FEST
7-31 MADISON, WI HIGH NOON SALOON
8-1 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 7TH STREET ENTRY W/ THE CRIBS
8-2 MILWAUKEE, WI PABST THEATER W/ THE CRIBS
8-4 CHICAGO, IL EMPTY BOTTLE W/ THE CRIBS
8-6 DETROIT, MI THE MAGIC STICK W/ THE CRIBS
8-9 NYC BOWERY W/ THE CRIBS
8-10 PHILADELPHIA, PA JOHNNY BRENDA'S W/ THE CRIBS
8-11 WASHINGTON DC BLACK CAT W/ THE CRIBS
8-18 AUSTIN, TX EMO'S

I ran across a White Rabbits video on YouTube that VBS.TV filmed at the band's practice/living space in Bushwick that is pretty cool. It also includes a killer rehearsal version of Fort Nightly. I was also looking at some of the band's live footage on YouTube and it really looks like this band is a "must see" act.



Links:
White Rabbits MySpace page (link)
White Rabbits Website (link)