Rene Risqué & The Art Lovers
Joe's Pub at The Public Theater

Reappearing: December 11 @ 9:30 P.M., $15

Written and Photographed by Troy Tolley

With French flair (sans debonair) Rene Risqué & The Art Lovers took the stage at Joe's Pub in October like a well-seasoned rock/pop band that you may believe has been around since the 80's. Strikingly parallel to Scissor Sisters in sound and gimmick, and seemingly built from such unusually-combined influences from the likes of Dee-Lite and Poison, Rene Risque & The Art Lovers still somehow find their own niche.

Rene, the lead singer, could easily be the love-child of Howard Stern and Edina Monsoon, staggering happily and drunkenly through each song. With a pre-occupation for arching his otter-like, half-naked body, flailing his wig-hair-not-wig while singing his catchy, high-pitched, energetic songs about love, sex, fame, and self-indulgence, Rene found himself falling from the stage and interfering with equipment more than once, much to the crowd's simultaneous delight and concern.

If you are looking for a deliciously wild and uncontrollable band that actually performs to the point of burning out before your eyes, this could be the one for you! As a bonus, it's not uncommon for surprise guests, such as celebrity fan Moby, to join this raucous band in one or two songs.

For more information: http://www.publictheater.org/ &
http://www.renerisque.com/