Vive la Fête

Glamorous electro-rock duo Vive la Fête hail from Belgium and are, perhaps, one of the most distinctive European bands to successfully fuse synth pop and electro with a sexy, decadent aesthetic and punky energy. Originally formed as a side project by Danny Mommens, ex-bassist for Belgian indie rock legends dEUS, to play some music together with his girlfriend, Vive la Fete (which literally translates as "Long Live the Party") quickly established themselves as a potent musical force and became a full-time job for everyone involved with the project. Vive la Fete was formed in 1997 in Belgium when Mommens met Els Pynoo, ex-model and wannabe singer. The two quickly discovered their mutual love for all things kitsch, '80s electro-pop, and Serge Gainsbourg and became romantically involved. The very first recordings of Vive la Fête were made by the pair in 1998 in Mommens' home studio -- these eight-track demos were later released by Kinky Star as the Je Ne Veux Pas EP (aka Paris). The first full-length proper, Attaque Surprise, was issued in 2001 by Belgian label Surprise Records. Pynoo handled vocals, Mommens switched from bass to guitar, and the band's lineup was rounded up by Dirk Cant on bass and Roel van Espen on keyboards, while Dirk Jans or Matthias Staendert took turns handling drums. With a sexy, vibrant sound influenced by trashy '80s electro-pop as well as guitar rock and the intention to make "music for everyone -- homosexuals, lesbians and everyone else -- to have fun to," Vive la Fete were ready to take on the world. And the world surrendered, although not quite the big wide one that villains from spy movies seek to dominate, but merely the world of high fashion. Perhaps thanks to Els Pynoo's previous modeling experience and her contacts within the industry, or...