literally karen O and spectacularly-coffed guitarist Nick Zinner used to play only weepy slide guitar ballards. They decided to start a rock band because they thought it would be funny. "we're really into things that are hot and sexy". Karen claims."And we just thought it would be hot to start a rock band". We weren't serious at all. " their first rehearsal consisted of karen, Nick, a drum machine and a lot of booze. They got pissed and wrote four songthey started as a joke
literally karen O and spectacularly-coffed guitarist Nick Zinner used to play only weepy slide guitar ballards. They decided to start a rock band because they thought it would be funny. "we're really into things that are hot and sexy". Karen claims."And we just thought it would be hot to start a rock band". We weren't serious at all. " their first rehearsal consisted of karen, Nick, a drum machine and a lot of booze. They got pissed and wrote four songs in two hours.
They're got amazing dress sense
At their first ever show, New Jersey-born karen sicked herself in oil and wore heart shaped pasties on her breasts. How, she's an NYC fashion icon with the distinction of having twice appeared in Vice magazines infamous Do's and Don'ts list. Needless to say, she's always a do. Incidentally, their debut gig was opening for the White Stripes at New York's Bowery. Drummer Brian Chase (the one who looks like hes wandered into the wrong band) used Meg Whites drumkit, because he did'nt have his own.
They're named after a pecullar NYC conversational tic
"People in New York never just say 'YEAH', Nick explains, "they always go 'yeah yeah yeahs!'. We were trying to name the band and someone said something good and someone else said 'yeah yeah yeah!' and it was a boom 'thats it'. The Band also like the name because it sounds like something you might say "while being stroked in a pleasurable fashion"
Karen and Brian went to Art Rock University
The pair attented Oberlin College in Ohio, where the french kicks and Tortoises John McEntire were also schooled. Brian majored in jazz performance, Karen transferred to New York University's film department after only a year, "it gets very cold in Ohio", she explains.
Nick was once a counter boy at a muffin shop
Later, he worked at a Peurto Rican deli " stocking beer and delivering pizza to lonely housewives and scary agrarian types with guns". He's also been a photographer.
Karen O's Real last name is Ohm
However, if you ask the band what the 'O' Stands for, they'll make something up, like 'Omega'
Bang is a very dirty song
In the bit where it's hard to undertstand what Karen's singing, she's saying "take a swallow as i spit baby/ As a fuck, son, you suck" and they got played on Radio 1 uncensored! Respect
They have the best band merchandise...Ever!
A friend designs supercute one-of-a-kind unisex handbags for the band to sell at their shows. Some have guns on them, others have ruffles, and rabbits. The Yeahs love rabbits. The pink bunnies which grace their cd sleeves and badges were taken from a picture Karen Painted. Bonus; if your badges break, just send it back to the band and they'll fix it or replace it FOR FREE!s in two hours.