Papier Tigre roar into Ireland
Nov
29
Written by:
Saturday, November 29, 2008
A paper tiger is something that appears threatening but is in fact quite harmless and inoffensive.
This has no connection to French alt-rockers Papier Tigre (right), whose name actually means 'tiger paper'. As in, you pop into Eason's for some stationery and spot some black-and-orange-striped envelopes and writing pads. (Perfect for the mammy's present this Christmas.)
Papier Tigre, from Nantes on the west coast of France, make shouty '90s-sounding alt-hard-rock. If your Mastermind specialised subject is "The Works of Steve Albini 1989-95", this band will appeal to you. They've also picked up a bit of Rage Against The Machine, lest they be accused of being limited.
The threesome are currently in Ireland. (There's a paper tiger/Celtic Tiger witticism waiting to be minted there by some enterprising young social commentator.) Tonight (Saturday 29 November), they're playing at Cyprus Avenue in Cork. Then tomorrow night they're in Dublin, at Twisted Pepper (formerly Traffic) on Middle Abbey Street.
The band's new album, 'The Beginning And End Of Now' came out earlier this month and it does the hard rock thing quite well. Even your indie-pop blogger likes it. Check out some tracks from it on Papier Tigre's MySpace page.
From what we believe is a Brazilian TV show, here's 'Restless Empire':