Eccentric and uber-funny English and German art punk/wave band Art Brut are named after French painter Jean Dubuffet's definition of outsider art: art made without thought to imitation or presentation by prisoners, loners, the mentally ill, and other marginalized citizens.
Art brut is fronted by "Top of the Pops" fan Eddie Argos (vocals), and is currently rounded out by Jasper Future (guitar), Ian Catskilkin (guitar), Frederica Feedback (bass), and Mikey Breyer (drums). Legend states that they began writing songs five minutes after they formed.
The band, contemporaries of acts like Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party, formed in 2003. Blender Magazine soon described them as the best unsigned group in the UK. The band released their first LP in 2005, Bang Bang Rock and Roll, and it’s follow up, It’s a Bit Complicated, in 2007.
This article appears in Aug 19-25, 2009.