Art Brut - Formed A Band

Art Brut is, um, kinda proof that rock n' roll fantasies can come true. Envision our hero, Eddie Argos, who wants to be a singer. Obstacle 1: A low-paying job as a social worker for learning-disabled adults prevents Argos from pursuing his dream alongside his career. Obstacle 2 (this is where it gets crazy): due to his dyspraxia, a learning disability affecting speech, Argos is physically incapable of singing in ANY key.

DID THAT STOP EDDIE ARGOS? OH NO IT DIDN'T! HE FORMED A BAND! AND WROTE A SONG ABOUT IT! And damn well, I must say, although this particular song's lyrics don't get much more complex than "Look at us! We formed a band!"

If that's not the best VH1 Behind the Music episode ever in the making, I'd like to see you do better. Naturally such a story as that piqued my interest even more than the fact that Art Brut (the name's derived from an art movement in the late 1940's) got a mention in Pitchfork's "Top 50 Singles of 2004" list as well as a spot on NME's "Cool List," where Argos was deemed "Jarvis [Cocker of Pulp] without the major hangups, Morrissey with a grin."

My prediction: this London-based quintet are gonna be the Franz Ferdinand of 2005. They've already got the white-patent-leather shoes and skinny ties look down, now all they've got to do is release an album (which is scheduled for March).

In the meantime, they've got a few songs available on iTunes. Get a hold of them before MTV does!