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Guitarist Olivier Renard is originally from a glamorous city in the French Basque Country called Biarritz. In 2023 he started playing shows with a New Mexico band that is undeniably glamorous, but their music and image are tinged with a bit of grit and a whole lot of punk rock. Renard says their lead singer’s girlfriend suggested they name the band Glitz Biarritz without knowing where Renard was from originally. Naturally, the name stuck, the music gained a fan base and the band developed a love affair with some of the state’s beloved underground jam spots, notorious neighborhood haunts and crowds whose style matches the band’s lyrics and aesthetic: beautiful but a little rough around the edges. Renard — who sometimes goes by the nickname “Fox” — shares a bit about what makes the band tick and his formula for a successful live show.
The Paper.: Will you describe your sound for us?
Olivier Renard: We play what we call “glam punk” which is basically ‘70s-style punk with a ‘70s glam bent to it.
What are your favorite venues to play and why?
We’ve played Tumbleroot in Santa Fe a few times and like that it’s a neighborhood spot that everyone knows about. But our favorite places to play are small, intimate, venues where the crowd is right on top of us. The (now defunct) Wagon Wheel here in Albuquerque was a really cool spot that we’re so glad we got the opportunity to play at.
What are your lyrics about?
Our lyrics are about all kinds of things, but I would say we generally pull from episodes in our lives to examine and revisit. “Shut Up I’m Classy” is about never letting people put you down because of your background, while “When You’re Young” is about looking back at your youth and how you didn’t understand how life worked back then. Things like that.
What bands or genres inspire your music?
The New York Dolls are top of the list, but we are pulling from MC5, Stooges, The Damned, The Ramones, KISS, Lou Reed/Velvet Underground, and so much more.
What is the best show you have ever played and why?
The aforementioned Wagon Wheel was a great one, but our album release at As Above So Below in January was pretty epic. We played the album in its entirety and then did a rollicking set of mostly ‘70s glam and some punk. Super fun and the crowd loved it.
Glitz Biarritz is:
Samantha – Drums
Olivier – Guitar
Tom – Guitar
Vince – Vocals
Johnny – Bass
Visit Glitz Biarritz on bandcamp for albums and other content.
You can also give their album In Poor Taste a listen here.
Check out the video for “Dim Lights” here:
