Brooklyn transplants White Rabbits have just kicked off their Fall tour, which winds through their native Missouri next week. They’ll play the Firebird, one of the band’s favorite clubs, tomorrow (Tue.)

With two drum kits on stage, the well-traveled Rabbits are known for whipping crowds into a frenzy live. Their percussion and bass-heavy grooves would appeal to fans of Spoon.

And with Spoon’s Britt Daniel serving as their latest producer, you could say they are ‘Spoon Jr.’
The septet, half of whom are from Webster Groves, departs from Spoon, though, with their atmospheric, Beach Boys-style harmonies and breakneck tempos.

I talked briefly with Stephen Patterson (vocals/piano) recently as the band rested up during a month break from touring.

RC: Who were your main influences growing up?

SP: I was very into Led Zeppelin. I went through a phase when that was all I would listen to. My dad introduced me to it and I started on drums because of it. Once I was in college (at Mizzou), Elvis Costello got me into songwriting. He has such clever twists and tricks in his songwriting.

RC: What’s the biggest difference between living in New York and Missouri.

SP: The thing about Missouri is that, with the cost of living, there is not as much financial stress going on. You can devote all your time making music. Brooklyn is more stressful because you have to worry about making a high rent.

RC: What are you looking forward to on the new tour?

SP: We’re going out with two great bands that are also from Brooklyn, Glass Ghost and Suckers. I’m also looking forward to traveling in our new van. She’s a bute! We got it in St. Louis, as a matter of fact, the day before we had a show in KC.

White Rabbits with Suckers and Glass Ghost
8:30 pm Tue., Firebird, $13
www.myspace.com/whiterabbits
www.whiterabbitsmusic.com
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