Normandy, wild at heart!
This six-headed creature—bringing together members of various Normandy bands (La Maison Tellier, Radiosofa, Darko, Dallas)—unleashes a dark, brooding rock that draws its power from the shadows. Influenced as much by Nick Cave’s melancholy as by the feverish rock of Californians Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the group is gearing up to release their second album, Night of the Loving Dead, on February 4. The Woodbrass team met Darko, one of the band’s three guitarists, and Mathieu, the drummer, a few minutes before their late-November show at La Maroquinerie.
THE BAND’S FORMATION IN 2019
Great stories are often born at the bar. Formed a little over two and a half years ago after a late-night conversation, Animal Triste is made up of Yannick Marais (vocals), Sébastien Miel (guitar), Mathieu Pigné (drums), Fabien Senay (guitar), Darko aka David Faisques (keys, guitar) and Cédric Kerbache (bass). Darko (left) and Mathieu (right) look back at the band’s beginnings.
RECORDING THE NEW ALBUM
The upcoming album, Night of the Loving Dead, was recorded in Normandy at David Fontaine’s Piggy In The Mirror studio, then mixed in Paris by Étienne Caylou. Darko and Mathieu explain how writing as a six-piece comes naturally to the band.
THE COLLAB WITH PETER HAYES (B.R.M.C.)
Fortune favors the bold, they say. Drummer Mathieu Pigné seems to have taken the Latin proverb to heart—Normandy-style—bringing in Peter Hayes, singer-guitarist of California trio Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, to guest on two tracks. Mathieu and Darko share how this deluxe feature came together.
ROUEN’S ROCK SCENE
Rouen keeps cultivating its rock-city legacy, with new bands—the “kids,” as Mathieu calls them—picking up the torch. So, is Rouen still an inspiring city for rockers?
COVERING SPRINGSTEEN’S “DANCING IN THE DARK”
Amid a long list of loud-guitar indie influences, the cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” which sits at track 3 on their self-titled debut, raises a few eyebrows. American dreams or ’80s nostalgia? Here’s the story.
ANIMAL TRISTE’S GEAR
- Sébastien Miel (guitar): Nord keyboard Lead 1, Music Man amp, Gibson SG guitar
- Fabien Senay (guitar): Vox AC30 amp, Fender Musicmaster guitar
- David Faisques (keys, guitar): Bad Cat amp, Gibson Flying V guitar, Nord Lead 1 keyboard
- Cédric Kerbache (bass): Fender Precision bass
- Mathieu Pigné (drums): C&C kit, Zildjian cymbals
NEW ALBUM
Night of the Loving Dead
(M/2L)
Out February 4, 2022.
