White Rabbits
King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, 2010
“Hi. You’re looking for White Rabbits? Let’s see, if we can find them,” said the tall blond guy and walked us through the Glasgow venue King Tut’s, where the Brooklyn-based White Rabbits were going to perform that night. In search of the upcoming 6-piece band we lost track of the headlining band, who were no longer youngsters, but classics: Spoon. So the friendly guy showing us around was actually Britt Daniel himself, what we only get to comprehend when we saw Spoon on stage later that night. The show was overwhelming, not just because everyone was crazy about Spoon, but also because White Rabbits impressively put their backs into it. The fact that White Rabbits have two forceful drummers punctuates their rather physical play. It is all the more fascinating, when Stephen, Alex and Greg showed up in the backyard of the venue to do this filming with no drummer at all, but as a guitar-playing trio. Dimly lit by their van with some constant buzzing noise in the air, they set for the powerful “Rudie Fails” and “Percussion Gun”. Even in this reduced and improvised setting, their musical wave set the teeth on edge. Considering the fact that White Rabbits were told to hold a little back with their massive sound when playing in the backyard, so that there was no immediate complain about disturbance of the peace by night, it is somewhat good that the session was “only” guitars and vocals. It was super intense already.
- Camera
- Michael Luger
- Sound Recording
- Sarah Brugner
- Post production
- Sarah Brugner
- Photography
- Simon Brugner
- Artist
- White Rabbits
King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
Report of West of Scotland Handloom Weavers’ Commission, 1839: «I have seen human degradation in some of its worst phases, both in England and abroad, but I can advisedly say that I did not believe until I visited the wynds of Glasgow that so large and amount of filth, crime, misery and disease existed in one spot in any civilized country.” Many things have changed for the good since then, but still Glasgow has a way rougher image than the picturesque and wealthy Edinburgh or the lovely fisher men’s Anstruther. The edginess comes from a working men and football culture, tensions from sports and religion, less historic flair (yet Glasgow has an impressive art nouveau-heritage with traces from Charles Rennie Mackintosh everywhere), less wealth and less tourists. But the city that is not so much bigger (considering the amounts of inhabitants) than the Scottish capital feels much more alive. Especially for music lovers, people who want to go out clubbing and anyone who is more into pop(ular) culture than high culture – this is the right place. There are always shows on in this vibrant city with its numerous venues and with some of the greatest indie bands (that hardly ever come to Austria) playing there. Only during the one week we’ve spent there, Hot Chip, Yeasayer, Vampire Weekend and Spoon a.o. were favouring the live music capital that is said to have one of the, if not the most outgoing audience in UK. Unsurprisingly it was then, that we have met – besides the many Scottish bands – two international acts for filming. Despite or because of some overall roughness, Glaswegians (not the rowdy ones!) are noticeable frank and cordial. At this point we want to thank the friendly music bloggers Jason from The Popcop and Kowalskiy for catching up with us, the helpful couchsurfer Neil for hosting us and all the fun and cooperative local bands that were jumping on our short notice call. The filming with White Rabbits took place at the backdoor of King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, also known as King Tut’s, a popular live music venue and bar on St. Vincent Street.