Band of the Week: White Rabbits

Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Fun Fact: Their mishap-prone van has broken down in the desert and recently caught on fire.
Why They’re Worth Watching: Fresh off a late-July appearance on David Letterman, the band’s six members—whose live shows feature two drum sets and enough moxie and tambourines to blow your eardrums—will open for Kaiser Chiefs in the fall.
For Fans Of: The Walkmen, Cold War Kids, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

London is rather fond of unyielding, smash-everything-in-sight rock. Which is why the stoic response the city gave White Rabbits on their recent England jaunt is surprising, especially when you consider the six members of the band specialize in locomotive piano rock that gives the impression that they’re a nose hair away from demolishing things.

“It wasn’t until the last London show that I felt like people were really into it, and that’s probably because we were drunk and trashing our instruments,” says piano-playing vocalist Steve Patterson. “I guess they seem to like that over there.”

“More than the music,” adds guitarist and vocalist Greg Roberts.

But White Rabbits, originally hailing from Columbia, Mo., are used to adverse conditions. After packing up and moving to the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, almost every tour they’ve embarked on has been highlighted with their van throwing a tantrum. During some dates a few weeks ago, the van decided to take a break in the middle of the desert. Most recently it caught on fire.

“We’re like seasoned World War II bomber pilots or something,” Patterson says. “Every accident that happens now, we’re just like, ‘Eh, fix it with tape.’ It just doesn’t really affect us anymore.”