Gallic punkettes the Plasticines have been re-modeled for international success. Their second album ‘About Love’ is out today and shows the girls can still rock even if they look more glam these days.
Glamour gear and make-up replaced the Plasticines much more rock ‘n’ roll Paris street chic since they signed to the label offshoot of US fashion mag Nylon. Producer Butch Walker already propelled the supremely irritating teenie poppers Kate Perry and Pink to stardom and is in charge of the band’s new sound. The resulting power pop should be more palpable to mobile phones of 14-17 year olds than the Plasticines original brand of trashy 70’s rock.
Fair dues to Katty Besnard, Marine Neuilly, Louise Basillien and Anais Vandevyvere for showing spirit in the presence of the Anglo-American marketing machinery. The Plasticines still have that brattish charme and an ear for pop tunes that owes more to the New York Dolls than the Disney Channel.
Before Make-Over 
After Make-Over
With an average age of barely 21 these kids shouldn’t really be that well versed in the Bermuda triangle formed by 70’s rockers like Suzy Quattro, Sweet and Johnny Thunders. But after four years of bashing out chords the Plasticines have this proto-Punk-meets-glam-rock thing down to a fine art. Walker’s production largely gels with the band’s own formula and songs like ‘Another Kiss’, ‘Pas Avec Toi’ and a high octane cover of Betty Everett’s 60’s Soul scorcher ‘You’re No Good’ sound straight and direct.
‘Bitch’ is probably the most blatant stab at pop TV stardom - Ooh, they’re cool, they’re using the b-word! But even in their most obviously mainstream moment, the Plasticines have a grain of something that’s more fun than the Perry/Pink dollies.
Watch The ‘Bitch’ Video!
