New Wave's Tsunami: British Sea Power

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ONE OF BRITAIN'S best live bands, British Sea Power, is bringing its onstage madness to this side of the pond, headlining at the Black Cat on Friday in support of its new EP, "Krakenhaus?"

Already topping the charts in the U.K. with its tense, dramatic, Joy Division-esque sound, the band hopes to bring some of that success to America with the EP, which will be released on disc only in the U.S.

"We've had a lot of things that come out in England that don't come out [in the United States] — you've got to be a bit even-handed," bassist Scott Wilkinson said.

British Sea Power was named live band of the year by Time Out London in 2004 — an award Wilkinson said they earned because of their willingness to take chances onstage.

"We don't play it too safe — so you're more likely to get a good gig, but you might not," he said. "It's a bit of a gamble. Last time we played in Washington, unfortunately, it was not one of the good ones."

Wilkinson said playing shows in the States is a little safer than playing them back home.

"I think they're a bit harsher [in the U.K.], they tend to throw more things at you … all kinds of projectiles, really," he said. "I don't think anyone has even particularly shouted anything nasty in America before. It happens a lot here. I think they find it harder to show their love over here."

British Sea Power plans to release its third LP, "Do You Like Rock Music?," in early 2008. The release marks a change from its historically minded lyrics.

"Since [the band started] there's been a whole trend of history-rock, and I think we've kind of moved on with it because it's not so much fun when everyone's doing it. … [The new album] is more concerned with what's going on nowadays."

» Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW; with Stardeath and White Drawfs and Two If By Sea, Fri., 9 p.m., $13; 202-667-7960. (U St.-Cardozo)

Written by Express contributor Jason Koebler

Photos courtesy Rough Trade Records