The Barbs
The Importance Of Being Evil/Alien Abducted

5/ 10 [Edit this Release]

Type: Single Release date: 16/02/2004

Artists:
The Barbs »

Label:
Mother Tongue »

by Mike Diver [Edit this content] ▾ 12 comments 10:02 January 19th, 2004

Your Rating:

Snarling boy-girl vocals and ever-so-slightly camp punk-horror backing music make for an intriguing mix on this double A-side offering from London quartet The Barbs. ‘The Importance Of Being Evil’, thematically, is comparable to epic miserablists Murder By Death, but its musical kin is, without a doubt, the likes of Zombina And The Skeletones and The Misfits *at their most mischievous. Or maybe even *Busted, if their snotty older sister took over on vocals. ‘Alien Abducted’ meanwhile is as silly as its title suggests – all Mulder and Scully nonsense that’ll have those with little pop-punk patience reaching for the off switch. But, whilst longevity and critical acclaim clearly aren’t on The Barbs’ agenda, they really are fun whilst they last. Unfortunately, that’ll be about as long as a rubber dingy on a bed of nails.

The Barbs 5 / 10

The Barbs, The Rocks, The Needs at Islington Academy, Islington, Wed 18 Feb 22 Feb 17:24
The Barbs, The Rocks, The Needs at Islington Academy, Islington, Wed 18 Feb 22 Feb 17:24
The Barbs - The Importance Of Being Evil/Alien Abducted 19 Jan 10:02
The Barbs - The Importance Of Being Evil/Alien Abducted 19 Jan 10:02
Evil Rocks! The Rocks, The Barbs and Special Needs let loose 07 Jan 21:58
The Barbs, The Tennessee Train Crash, No Problem Disko at The Vine, Leeds, Thu 23 Oct 25 Oct 15:09
The Barbs, The Tennessee Train Crash, No Problem Disko at The Vine, Leeds, Thu 23 Oct 25 Oct 15:09
DiS London: Last-Minute Lineup Changes for Burfday Alldayers 03 Oct 11:42

The Barbs

View profile

More The Barbs

You should:

Tweet This or

Share on Facebook

Comments

- Post a new comment on this article

The Barbs - The Importance Of Being Evil/Alien Abducted

Some rubber dingies - like the ones that rescue services use can actually last quite long on a bed of nails

i saw the barbs at the barfly supporting the futureheads
they werent bad live - quite fun to watch and listen- (ok so part of the reason i can remeber that is cos they gave badges at the end... but im shallow what can i say)

(hey the guy from Million Dead came to my Dj set...yay for me = but he was a bit of a cold ****)

Old_Anonymous_Comments | 21 Jan '04, 18:16 | X | Reply

The Barbs - The Importance Of Being Evil/Alien Abducted

Well, the rubber dingy went over to Amsterdam to support The Darkness, and managed to get back intact, so i think it will be a long time before this dingy has any holes in it !!

sweetcatatonia | 26 Jan '04, 18:47 | X | Reply

Re: The Barbs - The Importance Of Being Evil/Alien Abducted

Jeeeez... if I knew so many people out there knew about dinghys I'd never have mentioned them!

Tsk tsk, that'll teach me!

Old_Anonymous_Comments @sweetcatatonia | 29 Jan '04, 14:09 | X | Reply

The Barbs - The Importance Of Being Evil/Alien Abducted

What is the deal with the boat thing???
Have you ever seen the barbs live? I advise you go to a gig , you might enjoy it. They rock ( and I don't mean like a frickin boat )
IS THAT REALLY YOUR NAME.....M diver!!!!!
dude!!!
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

ha ha ha ha ha

Sunshine | 31 Jan '04, 10:41 | X | Reply

The Barbs - The Importance Of Being Evil/Alien Abducted

I saw the barbs play at the Dublin Castle on Tuesday supporting The Features. Quite frankly, I thought they blew them away. A proper exciting and energetic English band. Just what we need in these lean times. I havn't heard the new single, but enjoyed pretty much everything they played on the night. Great tunes and a babe on guitar for good measure.

The Barbs rule!!

M diver!!!!!

Seriously?!!?

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!

Dangerman | 31 Jan '04, 10:50 | X | Reply

The Barbs - The Importance Of Being Evil/Alien Abducted

Mr M Diver (!!!???!!!)

If you could possibly take time away from your infalateable arm-bands and skin-tight speedos and see the barbs play live, you will find that their on stage presence is more like the Queen Mary 2 (http://www.cunard.com/QM2/home.asp) than a Zodiac Cadet 240.

If you find this to be an impossible task .. I suggest you stick to the crevice snorkeling your name implies !!!

;)

skinnycat | 31 Jan '04, 11:26 | X | Reply