They’re an eccentric, motley bunch who have more in common with Half Man Half Biscuit and Pulp than they do with their oft-compared ‘influences’ The Fall. Art Brut formed in 2003 and played its first gig in May of that year. Much like Bloc Party before them, the gig was an independently promoted show at the Kentish Town Verge, booked before the band was ever really ready to perform. After playing a number of other gigs ‘round London, the band set out to record “Brutlegs”. A journalist stumbled upon the recording, sent it to Rough Trade, who, within and hour of receiving it, offered to release “Formed a Band” as a single. Suddenly the band was all over the music press, picking up fans with ease. The band toured the rest of 2004, and released "Bang Bang Rock and Roll" in May 2005 on the Fierce Panda. Now after nearly two years supporting the critically acclaimed record, the band is set to release the follow-up, “It’s a Bit Complicated”, available June 2007.

Four shows into this, and our Green Rooms keep getting better and better. This time around we sat down with South London band Art Brut, moments before they sent The Bowery Ballroom in to a furious frenzy with their brand of refreshing, British rock and roll. Hosted by industry insider Allison Hagendorf, the Green Room is a 30-min show that takes viewers backstage for close and candid interviews, onstage for the electrifying performance, and out into the crowd for the fans’ glorious reaction.