New York’s top newcomer band brings post-“Brat” energy to Los Angeles. With Beck as a surprise guest and 700 sweating fans. This is how club euphoria works.
In a year of tidal waves of bad news, crises and global political madness, we all need little breaks in which life on this planet feels really cool. Perhaps no one needs this more than the younger generation. This is where Fcukers come in handy!
The New York duo is bringing much-needed energy to their hometown’s alternative dance scene. Their music combines driving house beats with 90s electro and succinct pop hooks. It all adds up to a dance sound that sounds like the perfect symbiosis of LCD Soundsystem’s heritage and Charli XCX’s “Brat” party girl lifestyle. The “Brat” summer may be over, but the huge interest in hedonistic club feelings is far from over.
Fcukers are currently completing a mini tour with stops in London, Paris, Los Angeles, Acapulco and New York. Anyone who wants to know where dance-pop will go post-“Brat” is anything but out of place at these shows. Don Quixote in Los Angeles is packed with indie fans, club kids and Korean teen groups on Friday evening, December 5th. The East LA club only holds 700 people. Everything is chaotic and cramped in a cheerful way. The dance floor fills up quickly as opening acts Kumo 99 and Untitled (Halo) play lo-fi dance music and slacker dreampop.
45 minutes of dance ecstasy
And then Fcukers. The young New York band – yet without a debut album – puts on a 45-minute headliner appearance. The duo perform their club-ready anthems supported by live instruments, with Jackson Walker Lewis’ synthesizers and bass making up a significant part of the band’s sound. When he’s not swinging his bass guitar, which booms deep through the speakers, he’s pumping up the crowd alongside singer Shanny Wise. Her voice moves between a nonchalant party girl and a velvety pop voice.
In addition to previously released singles like “Play Me”, “Homie Don’t Shake” and “Bon Bon”, there is also a fairly large selection of unreleased material at the start of the set full of trippy 90s sound, some of which is reminiscent of Portishead. You’d think the audience would get bored with half a set of unfamiliar songs, but the band doesn’t have to worry about that. You know how party atmosphere goes. Little by little the energy increases – until at the end crowdsurfing fans are lifted above the crowd and the last hairs stick to the back of their necks. And then Beck also stops by in East LA for a small guest appearance and a joint performance of “Devils Haircut”.
Effortlessly cool with authenticity
The great thing about Fcukers is that they make everything look so easy and fun, dancing around on stage and singing about champagne in their cereal. But in reality, this effortless cool comes from a clear sense of authenticity and enthusiasm – and the band’s ability to capture the essence of club culture.