The Raveonettes’ music plays like a decent synopsis of rock ‘n’
roll history.

“If you listen to rock ‘n’ roll and know the history, you know
our influences: Buddy Holly, the Cramps, shoegazer and Sonic Youth.
We are quite proud of all the references in our music,” said
bassist and co-vocalist Sharin Foo.

The story begins with Holly and doo-wop girl groups, both of
which inspired the Danish duo’s unusual name.

“Buddy Holly wrote a song called ‘Rave On’ that we love, and the
‘ette’ part came from 60s girl groups, like the Marvelettes,” Foo
said.

Besides their name, what the Raveonettes borrow most from these
earlier times is the idea of music being a simple art. All of their
songs on their 2003 release The Chain Gang of Love were recorded in
the key of B flat major, and all clock in around three minutes long
(or less).

Although Foo is quick to admit their influences, she is hesitant
to nail down The Raveonettes’ sound.

“It’s very old-fashioned music that sounds really modern. It’s
timeless, and people can listen and piece it out on their own,” she
said.

For those who haven’t had a chance to listen and piece it out on
their own, the Raveonettes’ musichas best been described as
surfpunk. It’s harmonious without being too sugary, and noisy
without being too muddled. It conjures up nostalgia for bands such
as The Jesus and Mary Chain, but with more sex and less gloom.Most
importantly, theirs is the kind of music that must be experienced
live.

“People really get kind of hypnotized and mesmerized by the wall
of sound we create, it’s really anintense sonic experience,” Foo
said.

Foo, along with the other half of the Raveonettes, guitarist and
covocalist Sune Rose Wagner, are joined onstage by guitarist Manoj
Ramdas and jazz drummer Jakob Hoyer. The four will play The Pageant
on Tuesday as a part of the Raveonettes’ three-week stint
supporting the Strokes. This is a stint that came about more from
the Strokes’ appreciation of the Raveonettes’ music than from the
usual record company politics.

“We played a show at the Bowery Ballroom (in New York City) last
year and [the Strokes’ guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr.] came out to
the show. They must have gotten into the music, and they asked us
to come out on tour with them,” Foo said.

The Raveonettes are hoping that after this tour and their own
headlining dates, they can return to the studio and work on a
follow-up to The Chain Gang of Love. While most bands have trouble
writing on the road, Foo sees the tour more as an opportunity for
them to expand creatively.

“The fun thing about being on the road with another band is that
you really feel like you can relate with them, and you can use each
other in a good way, in a creative way.”

If all goes well, this creativity will produce a sophomore
effort that is as solid as its predecessor. One day the Raveonettes
may earn a place in the rock ‘n’ roll history that they so greatly
represent.