FREEwilliamsburg: Handsome Furs, Raw Energy

I am not at all afraid to say that Handsome Furs at Mercury Lounge last night blew my mind. And it's only slightly because I spotted Eugene Mirman the second I walked in the room. (Yes I have an obsession with nerdy comedians - but I'll spare you the full insanity of it at this point in time.)

Husband and wife Dan Boeckner and Alexei Perry make musical hope over a dark and intense backdrop of political turmoil. They find inspiration in changing landscapes and search for flesh and truth in a world full of robotic feelings and expertly crafted lies. In other words -- they do for rock n roll what most people wish they could do. And ultimately - and possibly most importantly -- they make us stare and dance.

I haven't been able to stop listening to their new album FACE CONTROL for a week -- and I was lucky enough to interview Perry about the meeting of the two souls, musical journeys and the craziest thing that's happened on tour.

When did you two meet? Was it a musical collaboration from the start?

We met at a telemarketing office about five years back and it was a love affair from the start. The music stuff happened later. We couldn't keep our hands off each others' projects I guess.

How does geography influence your sound?

I think geography has shaped our music in the fact that we have both done a lot of very meaningful travel, both in touring and otherwise. I think it's important to comment on the world you live in, vast as you can.

How did recording FACE CONTROL evolve/differ from your last recording, Plague Park?

Since Plague Park, we've played a lot more live shows. I think with FACE CONTROL we wanted to capture some more of the raw energy that you have to muster before an audience. I think we wanted to make some thing a little more loud and aggressive and danceable because that's how we came into being as performers.

Where does your wanderlust stem from?

I have always felt like an alien in this world and I just keep trying to find places that I feel less so.

Craziest thing that's happened on tour?

Hmmmm...I probably wouldn't tell you. We had to bribe our way into Russia which was pretty crazy. Hmmm...We both ended up naked and puking and flagging down motorists on the main street of Helsinki after playing a secret show at our favorite bar there...Dan peed in some one's mother's cashmere sweater.

What confuses you the most about life?

Are you more alive when you know you are or don't?

The Handsome Furs playing All We Want Baby is Everything Live at the Mercury Lounge in New York City on March 6, 2009.