Keeping Some Dark Secrets

[Behold our inaugural tour report, as sent in by Parisian reader and blogger Vanessa Deroo. KeepingSomeDarkSecrets aims to relay as much on-the-scene reportage as we can get from readers, so if you make it out to a show or in-store, please drop us a line with all the details and links to photos at keepingsomedarksecrets (at) googlemail (dot) com -- Ed.]

Paris — We were waiting for ‘em with growing impatience. Since the band’s first demos, followed by Waited Up Til It Was Light, a first opus about their tumultuous lives in Birmingham, Johnny Foreigner have been hugely anticipated here in Paris. Opening with newbie “Feels Like Summer” and its a capella intro, Alexei Berrow and his legendary hat, Kelly Southern and Junior “Jun” Elvis Washinton Laidley seem to want to beat the French crowd, despite many technical problems during the set. Some tracks like “Yes! You talk too Fast” or “Cranes And Cranes And Cranes And Cranes” shine through the trouble, especially thanks to Ms. Southern’s cheeky voice and her funky bass playing. Hit single “Eyes Wide Terrified” is sung along to by some fans lost in the venue, a fact Alexei seems to like: “You’ve got a better reaction than English people on that song.” The new tracks are full of charm and rage. “Our record label is a bit retarded, they send us recording a new album straight after touring. Take that gig as an immense rehearsal.” No comment. The furious “Yr. All Just Jealous,” coupled to “Absolute Balance,” ends this wild show. The three players seem disappointed by their perfomance. But, “don’t worry guys, it’s all punk rock.” — Vanessa Deroo

[originally posted in French here]

Filed under: Johnny Foreigner by Jay