Getting famous without getting naked

BY CHRIS SCHULZ AND HAMISH COLEMAN-ROSS

They may not have known it at the time, but a small crowd in Hamilton was the first in the world to hear The Naked and Famous' hit single Young Blood.

The song has become a massive hit, sitting at No. 1 on the New Zealand singles charts for two weeks in a row, becoming a commercial radio staple and even receiving an Apra songwriting nomination.

But the young Auckland band, which will release its debut album Passive Me, Aggressive You on Monday, said they performed the song live for the first time to a Hamilton crowd who were too busy watching rugby to take any interest.

"That was our first show (with a new line-up) and we played to about 15 people, no, less than that, about 10," singer Alisa Xayalith told Stuff.co.nz. "South Africa and the All Blacks were (playing)."

The song has turned the five-piece into household names thanks to a potent mix of catchy hooks and soaring vocals, but the band is still getting used to all the attention.

"It's really weird to walk into a gas station, fill up your car and your music comes on," said guitarist and singer Thom Powers, who started the band with Xayaltih three years ago after the pair met at music school three years ago .

"You know you've made it when high school kids start asking you to play their ball on Myspace."

Xayalith: "It's foreign territory, commercial charts for us. It's definitely something new."

The Naked and Famous released two well-received EPs - This Machine and No Light - in 2008, before expanding their line-up with producer Aaron Short, bassist David Beadle and drummer Jesse Wood to record their debut.

The group has easily sidestepped any one-hit wonder accusations thanks to Young Blood's follow-up single Punching in a Dream, another slice of catchy synth dream-rock primed for the mainstream.

Among several high-profile live shows including a mainstage slot at the first Laneway Festival in Auckland earlier this year, The Naked and Famous opened for Nine Inch Nails and are big fans of Trent Reznor's production techniques.  

 

That shows on the album, with feedback-drenched tracks Spank, Jilted and A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing showcasing the band's love of industrial metal.

The band admits there are moments that might surprise people who only know them for Young Blood.

"I'm looking forward to it," Powers said. "I can't wait for people to say, 'Ah this is weird, what's this rah-rah-rah music? I don't like it.'

"That's the flip side of the commercial success that we've had. There are a lot of people who don't listen to a lot of music who connected with the song (Young Blood) in some way and like it but are maybe going to get quite confused by the rest of the album."

Xayalith: "I'd hate to be known as the band who just did Young Blood."

With an Australian showcase next week, Punching in a Dream climbing the charts and an upcoming tour with The Kids of 88 looming, it's highly unlikley.

The Naked and Famous with Kids of 88
September 30: The Urban Factory, Dunedin
October 1: The Bedford, Christchurch
October 2: San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington
October 16: The Powerstation, Auckland

* Passive Me, Aggressive You is released on Monday.

- © Fairfax NZ News