Yé-Yé Of The Day: Les Misérables

I'm not sure who originated the misnomer that French people can't rock 'n' roll. To me it is a completely ridiculous statement, and there are few better examples of its irrelevance than the dynamite 60's québécois combo Les Misérables. Although it is saddled with a moniker that is unfortunately reminiscent of a certain overwrought stage musical, the band's Stonesy swagger and beat classics helped to put French Canadian fuzz on the map.

Original hit "Vivre Avec Toi," with its stinging, overdriven guitar riffs and tambourine shake shake shake, is the kind of song I like to put on the stereo during impromptu bedroom dance parties. Les Mis also do a great French-language cover of The Box Tops' "The Letter" entitled "Une Lettre." Quelle surprise!