NYC natives, Interpol, are headed back to St. Louis, and this time they have a different setup. Just after they finished recording their fourth album Interpol, bassist Carlos Dengler left the band out of the blue. “He decided essentially that he’s done with making music in a rock band,” says drummer Sam Fogarino in an interview with online magazine Lazy-i. “He got tired of the paradigm and lost his affinity for playing four strings and wanted to concentrate on classical composition and/or scoring for motion pictures. We all really wish him well.”

 

Although they’ve lost Dengler, Fogarino says, “The dynamic has changed for the better.” This is due at least in part to two new musicians who have been filling the void; bass player David Pajo (Tortoise, Stereolab, Zwan and Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and keyboardist Brandon Curtis (School of Seven Bells), who also does backing vocals. According to Fogarino, Pajo has really been kicking some ass on this tour. From the moment they got together in rehearsal, “He knew the songs better than I did, especially material we hadn’t played in ages,” Fogarino says. “He’s kind of a mockingbird, except that he doesn’t just replicate; he really can feel the song and the part and how it should be played, he doesn’t just hit the notes. As soon as he played some shows, I knew everything was going to be fine.” Curtis, for his part, brings a whole new element to the band’s performances. “That was a real thrill to have live keyboards,” Fogarino says.

 

If you’ve never been to an Interpol show, I can barely begin to describe the magnetism you will feel. From the first note struck on Daniel Kessler’s guitar, through Paul Banks deliciously profound vocals, to that last pop of Sam Fogarino’s snare drum, it is a truly magical experience that will leave you mesmerized and wanting more. On this tour you should expect to hear a nice variation of material from all four albums, along with an array of emotions and sensations that will make you feel like you’ve risen from your body. They “want to stay magical,” as Fogarino puts it, and with this new release they’ve done just that. Whether or not you’ve had a chance to get into the new album, if you are an Interpol fan not only are you in for a treat, but with the new arrangement the band might just grow in your hearts a little bit more. | Justin Thompson  

 

Interpol and School of Seven Bells will be at the Pageant on Friday, February 11. Doors open at 7 p.m., the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.thepageant.com.