October 16, 2008 11:15

Strokes' Nikolai Fraiture makes full solo debut in London

Nickel Eye play first ever gigs

Photo Gallery: The Strokes
Photo: Pieter M Van Hattem

Nickel Eye, the solo project of The Strokes bassist Nikolai Fraiture, played their first full gig at the London Borderline last night (October 15).

Fraiture, who was backed by members of British group South, played a half-hour set of mainly acoustic songs at the show, revealing a voice pitched somewhere between bandmate Julian Casablancas and The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.

Having warmed-up with a stripped down warm-up set the night before (October 14) at the Boogaloo venue in north London, the show marked the band's first full performance.

The group previewed material from their forthcoming debut album 'The Time Of The Assassins' during the set, including 'Brandy Of The Damned' and 'Where The Cold Wind Blows'.

The band also covered 'These Days' by Nico towards the end of their set.

Referencing the packed crowd at the venue, Fraiture also broke into a short a capella version of Nelly's 2002 hit 'Hot In Herre'.

Nickel Eye played:

'You And Everyone Else'
'Back From Exile'
'Fountain Ave'
'This Is The End'
'Brandy of the Damned'
'Providence, RI'
'Where The Cold Wind Blows'
'Another Sunny Afternoon'
'These Days'
'Dying Star'

'The Time Of Assassins' is released January 27, and features guest spots from Regina Spektor and Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner.