The Stool Pigeon

It may be a well-worn cliché, but Underground Railroad, with their youth, good looks and unfathomable ability, are the epitome of French cool. What's unusual about them is that they're noisy as hell, and raucousness is not usually associated with Parisian chic. The band, from the southern suburbs of the capital, began life playing around the city, but moved to the UK in search of fame, fortune and the trappings of London's brilliant parade, and with startling rapidity landed themselves a deal with One Little Indian. They profess love for groups like Daft Punk and Justice, but it was predominantly American guitar/noise bands (Sonic Youth are their most recognisable influence) that drove them to form a band and sing not in their native tongue, but in English.

"I've never been comfortable writing anything in French," says Raph, their singer and drummer.

"We've been listening to English speaking bands forever," says guitarist Marion, dark, elegant, smokes a lot.

But French sounds so hot. My limited understanding means I cannot immerse myself in Serge Gainsbourg's cunning word play, but Gainsborg sounds fantastic anyway, whatever he's singing.

Gainsbourg is not rock, they tell me. Which is true. Even 'Nazi Rock' isn't really rock. While electro thrives, guitar music has had a chequered history in France, and was tarnished further by a saga that gripped the nation, where the lead singer of the country's premier rock outfit, Noir Désir, killed his famous actress lover in peculiar circumstances. With the state of affairs as they are, it is perhaps logical to disseminate.

In support of their new album, Sticks and Stones, the band will be supporting Nada Surf around Europe. Underground Railroad have already built up a healthy following in London thanks to their blistering live appearances, and their recent showing at the Reading/Leeds festival was as memorable as it was unusual.

"It was a big, crazy fucking thing!" splutters Raph.

An explanation: thanks to an unfounded rumour, they took to one of the smaller stages in front of 4,000 angry fans expecting to see a secret Foo Fighters gig. Lots of bottle and clod throwing ensued, and being gutsy types, the trio retaliated, and had their set pulled in the process. In a rare moment of humanity, the security at the festival relented and allowed them to continue, and win the hearts and minds of those assembled who'd not trailed off to get their next meathead fix.

It'll be no surprise if Underground Railroad eventually pull festival crowds of that size on their own merits.

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