I’ve had a crush on the Raveonettes since I first discovered ‘03’s “Chain Gang of Love” back in the old college radio days at WRST FM, spinning their vintage sounding flat rock n’ roll like nobody’s business. More of a flirtation at the time, I never actually owned this particular release, nor their debut album ‘02’s “Whip It On,” but I was quick to snatch up their next record in ’05, “Pretty in Black.” I was reeling in anticipation for last month’s release of “Lust Lust Lust” and felt like a fat kid in the candy store when the new record was posted for full stream on MySpace a few weeks before the album officially dropped.

The Raveonettes were one of my most anticipated artists to see at SXSW, and with all the showcases they put on last week in Austin, I couldn’t believe that I had managed to miss them. I guess it was mostly the wrong place, wrong time issue, but I wasn’t too entirely bummed that I had missed out on their set since I planned on checking them out the next week back in Chicago. It turns out it was most definitely a show worth waiting for. I would have felt ripped off with the shortened SXSW type of set, so I’m most appreciative that I held out for the Double Door this past Tuesday night. The venue was packed to the nines with hipsters everywhere. It was impossible not to feel cool, being surrounded by the pulsing, loud distorted guitar action that seeped through the dark venue.

Looking back now, I realize I wasn’t all that hip, it was probably the Blue Moons I sipped on at Estelle’s next door that gave me the liquid self esteem, but the entire crowd seemed to reek in the underground ambience—as if we all knew some dirty little secret was about to take over in this hidden lair of Wicker Park. The leaders of this hipster brigade, of course, were the one and only Sune Rose, sporting his signature black eyeliner and black and white striped tee, with the lovely Sharin Foo sparkling in some form of sequined get up and her perfect platinum blonde bob. Both managed to reek of coolness while still making it look entirely effortless.

The Danish rock-pop duo took to the stage at around 10 pm, opening up with the 3-week-old “Lust Lust Lust”s “Hallucinations.” The crowd whistled and clapped their encouragement, and the little banter the duo offered up were purely of thanks for coming out and a brief shout out to the recent release of their new album. The sound was huge and I merely gazed in amazement at how fast Sune could keep his arm strumming that mad guitar. I bet he kicks ass at Guitar Hero. Following “Hallucinations” was “Dead Sound” which proved to be anything but.

Next up on the plate were some older tracks from Chain Gang of Love and Pretty in Black, including what Sune deemed “a dancing song,” “Love in a Trashcan.” You knew he was serious when he instructed the much obliged crowd to dance, since little conversation was provided throughout. At this point I got the song order pretty mixed up in my excitement, but some stand out moments for me included the way addictive pop anthem “You Want the Candy,” the sexy and sleek “Lust, ” the slower yet melodic “The Beat Dies” and of course the album opening swanky “Aly Walk With Me.”

Definitely a solid and rocking set, I’d recommend checking this pair live the next chance you get. I’d like to thank the Raveonettes for making my Tuesday night the coolest Tuesday night I’ve had in as long as I can remember. If only I felt as cool this morning dragging my tired ass to work as I did last night. . .

Myspace: The Raveonettes
MP3: The Raveonettes – “Aly, Walk With Me”