PAPIER TIGRE
Nantes –> www.myspace.com/papiertigre
CRIPPLE AND CASINO
Zagreb –> www.myspace.com/crippleandcasino
JOE 4
Zagreb –> www.myspace.com/joe4rds6s
PAPIER TIGRE (pronouced “Papyeah Teegrr”) are a 3 piece rock band from
Nantes, France, comprising of Eric Pasquereau (guitar/vocals), Arthur de
la Grandiere (guitar), and Pierre Antoine Parois (drums). The Beginning
And End Of Now is their second full length album, and was recorded in a
10 day break between Brazilian and US tours at Iain Burgess’ Black Box
Studios (Big Black, Rapeman, Ministry).
In the absence of a bass guitar, PAPIER TIGRE’s sound is built around
pounding tribal drums that propel each song forward with ruthless
efficiency. This urgency is underlined by the distinctive and insistent
vocals of Eric, his strained yelps acting as a rallying cry to the guitars,
which occupy the space between voice and drums and make it their own.
Whether working together or against each other, the interplay between
the two instruments is explosive. Brittle melodies seemingly scrap with
vicious riffs, before the two suddenly come together to deliver the coup
de grace.
PAPIER TIGRE understands that a song being intelligent and complex need
not exclude it from having a raw, danceable energy. Their music firmly
entrenched in the tradition of inventive, challenging punk – think Fugazi,
Q and Not U, The Ex – yet whilst PAPIER TIGRE have drawn influence from
these bands, they have a style and delivery all of their own. The mode of
communication is rooted firmly in the contemporary; rhythmically and
vocally these songs recall the mutant, angular disco of Chinese Stars or
even The Rapture or Liars.
But above all, PAPIER TIGRE is an impressive live act and a somehow
tireless touring band. In less than 3 years after they started from scratch,
they already played a commanding total of more than 250 shows (and
counting) in 15 different countries ranging from Luxembourg to China via
Brazil and the USA. In the UK alone, the band have already played 30
times, amongst which was an appearance at last year’s All Tomorrow’s
Parties by invitation of Explosions In The Sky. Building up a fanbase
through nothing but great songs and hard slogging might seem peculiarly
old-fashioned; but for PAPIER TIGRE it’s simply what they do best.