Hot Club de Paris

Hot Club de Paris

Hot Club de Paris are an indie rock group from Liverpool, United Kingdom. The line-up consists of Paul Rafferty on vocals, bass and baritone guitar, Matthew Smith on guitar and vocals, and Alasdair Smith on drums and vocals. The group forms in 2003 and is active from 2004 to 2012.

Style and influences

Their music combines fast tempos, melodic writing, sing-along choruses, intricate arrangements, three-part vocal harmonies, odd time signatures and observational lyrics. Their influences include Owls, Storm and Stress, Pavement, Don Caballero, Joan of Arc, Les Savy Fav, Minutemen, Black Flag, XTC and Talking Heads.

Name and early releases

The group takes its name from a budget compilation of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli's Quinette du Hot Club de France. They sign to Moshi Moshi Records in 2005. Their debut album, Drop It 'Til It Pops, arrives in 2006 and is followed by four singles.

Later work and touring

After the debut, the band tours with Maxïmo Park, Jamie T, Dirty Pretty Things, Goodbooks, Slow Club, DARTZ! and Safetyword. Their second album, Live At Dead Lake, is recorded in Chicago with producer Brian Deck and appears in 2008. In 2010, they release two download and limited 10-inch EPs: With Days Like This As Cheap As Chewing Gum, Why Would Anyone Want To Work? and The Rise And Inevitable Fall Of The High School Suicide Cluster Band, both supported by UK tours.