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July 17, 2008

Vampire Weekend All Dressed Up Like The Cure

thumbnail icon: Vampire Weekend All Dressed Up Like The Cure

These guys are wasting no time. Ezra, Chris, Rostam, and Chris -- gothed up and standing on the beach -- spoke with MTV's John Norris about the forthcoming, fourth video for "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa." Here's word from the Jersey Shore:

There's the story line -- something VW have not done until now. "I think with this one we consciously decided ... we've done fairly abstract videos in the past, in that there's no narrative," Koenig said. "We thought maybe it'd be fun if there were actual characters. ... We used to shy away from anything that even came close to 'acting' in videos, but in this one there is interaction among people, so in that sense it is more of a story. There are preppy people in it and non-preppy people in it. So it was a chance to have some of our friends come be in the video."

One of those friends is a red-haired goth girl who connects with the band and figures into their ghoulish transformation. She's played by Batmanglij's friend Jenny Murray and looks like she could've stepped right out of a John Hughes movie. "We should also mention that this video is set in the '80s," he told me. "It's the first time we've done a video not set in the present. And we actually mentioned John Hughes in talking about this. I think there's a Tim Burton element as well."

John Hughes, and not Wes Anderson, got it. It is in vogue. Check out some photos from the set after the jump.




Also revealed: Peter Gabriel's "Kwassa" cover "looks like it's happening," according to Ezra. Read more at MTV.com, and if you're going to the Pitchfork Music Festival this weekend, you can see Vampire Weekend on Saturday at 5 PM.

Posted at 4:10 PM by Scott
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45 Comments

I hope John Norris gets a brain tumor.

Posted by: Mr Inappropriate at 07/17/08 4:48 PM | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

well that was inappropriate...

Posted by: jBoz in reply to Mr Inappropriate's comment at 07/18/08 9:53 AM | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

Of all the songs for VW to dress up like The Cure...Cape Cod?

Posted by: Finchmeister profile link at 07/17/08 4:57 PM | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

"It's the first time we've done a video not set in the present. "

isn't this their third video?!?!

Posted by: Nick at 07/17/08 5:06 PM | Reply
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victor

and i'm already sick of them. weird.

Posted by: victor profile link in reply to Nick's comment at 07/17/08 5:16 PM | Reply
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Vampbarf Pukeend.

Posted by: jeepers creepers at 07/17/08 5:16 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

any comparisons with vomit to vampire weekend or the hold steady are good in my book.

Posted by: reido in reply to jeepers creepers's comment at 07/18/08 12:44 AM | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

can we add MGMT to that list?

Posted by: jBoz in reply to reido's comment at 07/18/08 9:52 AM | Reply
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Nah

Posted by: EnchantingWizardofRhythm in reply to jBoz's comment at 07/18/08 11:29 AM | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

haterz, every one.

Posted by: yomomma at 07/17/08 5:35 PM | Reply
Score = -6 Vote up Vote down
grace6697

is your bed made?

is your sweater on?

*BLOWS BRAINS OUT*

Posted by: grace6697 profile link at 07/17/08 5:49 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

... Do you want to?

Haha, sorry. But, yeah, I really like Vampire Weekend. And this song. So I guess I suck? I have to agree, though, that CCCC + The Cure = totally does not work.

Posted by: Johngp profile link in reply to grace6697's comment at 07/23/08 1:19 AM | Reply
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Is it bad that Ezra actually fooled me for a bit there?

Posted by: ? at 07/17/08 5:53 PM | Reply
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Nick: it's their FOURTH video; Mansard Roof, A-Punk, Oxford Comma and now Cape Cod...

Posted by: Azazello at 07/17/08 6:30 PM | Reply
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I didn't know people out of high school still used to the word "preppy" to describe people. No thanks, red.

Posted by: Santi at 07/17/08 6:44 PM | Reply
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.. or "fags".

Posted by: Webster in reply to Santi's comment at 07/18/08 8:31 AM | Reply
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Vampire Weekend dressed as the Cure = FAIL. In fact Vampire Weekend altogether = FAIL.

Posted by: Lonnie Pigford at 07/17/08 7:28 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

No one wants to comment on how they broke their no t-shirt rule for this one. I mean the drummer is sleeveless even! SLEEVELESS!

Posted by: Anonymous at 07/17/08 7:50 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

wow, this is pretty lame. im amazed...

Posted by: GB at 07/17/08 8:28 PM | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down
Angeleenie

hmmm wouldn't be the first time Vampire Weekend "borrowed" another band's look for a video...

The Mae Shi -- http://www.vimeo.com/361690?pg=embed&sec=361690
released MONTHS before THIS

Vampire Weekend -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XC2mqcMMGQ

Posted by: Angeleenie profile link at 07/17/08 8:47 PM | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

I KNOW !!!!! Someone else FINALLY agrees!! +20

Posted by: k in reply to Angeleenie's comment at 07/17/08 9:56 PM | Reply
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Ben Folds Approves.

Posted by: mpc at 07/17/08 8:49 PM | Reply
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ahhh another video!? im so excited!!!! i really love vampire weekend

Posted by: krista at 07/17/08 9:20 PM | Reply
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Dont really dig them,but Cape Cod is a catchy tune.

Posted by: dandy at 07/17/08 9:28 PM | Reply
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Is that supposed to be funny?

Posted by: doofus at 07/17/08 10:44 PM | Reply
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"laugh hard... "

Posted by: Isaac in reply to doofus's comment at 07/17/08 11:54 PM | Reply
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"Ben Folds Approves. " - MPC

Haha! I'm Thrilled someone else saw the Ben Folds Five reference!

Posted by: Mikel at 07/18/08 12:50 AM | Reply
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Thirded on the Ben Folds Five reference. But I only read the article in hopes of finding more Ben Folds references, and now I find that I have read an article about Vampire Weekend with no witty reward. Woe is me.

Posted by: insomnius at 07/18/08 1:24 AM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

totally agreed. I only clicked on it to ask to get my old ID back.

What with all the new Ben Folds album news stereogum's been listening to Whatever and Ever, Amen again?

Posted by: Allison in reply to insomnius's comment at 07/18/08 6:15 AM | Reply
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this is bleak.

Posted by: katie at 07/18/08 4:08 AM | Reply
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this is bleak.

Posted by: katie at 07/18/08 4:08 AM | Reply
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Wheres Summer, B?

Posted by: Fair Herald at 07/18/08 4:39 AM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down
shelley

a-punk is bit much like run to your grave...I agree. how pathetic

Posted by: shelley profile link at 07/18/08 12:00 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

You guys are haters. Vampire Weekend is a great little band that is true to themselves, but i have to agree that the drummer is a giant douche.

Posted by: james at 07/18/08 2:25 PM | Reply
Score = -4 Vote up Vote down

what's wrong with christopher?

Posted by: tony in reply to james's comment at 07/18/08 6:08 PM | Reply
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enough of these D-Bags. . . really. these guys need to close their traps and go away for a while.

Posted by: sage at 07/18/08 3:03 PM | Reply
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lol. you said 'FAIL.'

Posted by: pinface at 07/18/08 4:41 PM | Reply
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Billy Joel from green day looking ass boy

Posted by: nobody is going to get that at 07/18/08 8:39 PM | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

thats realy gay how they dressed up like the cure.

Posted by: sam at 07/18/08 10:32 PM | Reply
Score = -4 Vote up Vote down

know what really gay sam?
gays

also, could there be a better reason for people to hate vampire weekened some more?

it's like one big fucking master plan

okay, these guys have a good record

...

hmmm, i see

let's overhype them, the mtv kids will love it, they'll think they're quirky

but the pitchfork kids sir...

WHO CARES ABOUT THE GOD DAMN PITCHFORK KIDS!

okay so, after we overhype them, what then?

well, know the cure?

they'll dress like the cure

sir

yes?

you're a genius

Posted by: eric in reply to sam's comment at 07/19/08 11:06 PM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

thats realy gay how they dressed up like the cure.

Posted by: sam at 07/18/08 10:32 PM | Reply
Score = -6 Vote up Vote down

I HATE WHEN PEOPLE USE GAY AS AN INSULT.
sorry about the caps, but it makes me cringe.
i don't care if you like them or not, but please just don't use that word to hate on someone.
it makes you look very stupid.

Posted by: gaby at 07/20/08 6:19 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

this post was definitely designed for maximum comment backlash.. .glad its working. also, could this band get any more lame?

Posted by: Jonathon at 07/21/08 1:04 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Robert Smith is...Better than Ezra

Posted by: Lonnie Pigford at 07/23/08 2:56 AM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

ooohhhh snap!

Posted by: wandering ghost in reply to Lonnie Pigford's comment at 07/23/08 3:34 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

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