Sleigh Bells at Jack Rabbit's

by Brenton Crozier
Sleigh Bells recently played at Jack Rabbits in San Marco . . . and I was listening. Po Po and NERVE CITY opened up in what was apparently a three-members-and-you’re-out theme. The show seemed to be sold out, making it feel like a sauna inside. Sleigh Bells is touring in support of their first album, Treats, which was put out by M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. Recordings. Those British are an acronym happy lot.
The duo is made up of easy-on-the-eyes Alexis Krauss who was formerly part of a teenage girl group Rubyblue and former Poison the Well guitarist Derek Miller. And while neither of those credentials may grab you, they definitely served both in capturing the formula for infectious riffs and arresting performance. They play to indulgently heavy, pre-programmed beats and bass lines via a laptop, while Derek plays guitar and Alexis sings. It was a raucous good time and their sound is one that serves to satisfy both a crowd looking for a DJ to spin a thumping good set list, as well as any who have simply congregated for an energetic, live rock show.
Perhaps it was the heat, perhaps it was the beer or two, but you couldn’t help but feel that Sleigh Bells has no issue with putting their sexiest foot forward. Singer Alexis Krauss, sporting a sleeveless, open-back dress, frequently wailed and moaned into the microphone, suggestively worked the stage and even capped the performance with a leap into the audience. She could have told everyone, yes, even the ladies were intoxicated, to pour a beer on their head and they would have adhered. So I wasn’t just listening Sleigh Bells, I was watching. If you enjoy bands like Surfer Blood, M.I.A. and Ratatat, you should definitely check out their debut album, Treats.