Sleigh Bells On SNL: Band Plays 'Comeback Kid' And 'End Of The Line' (VIDEO)

Sleigh Bells made their network TV debut on a SNL Saturday night, performing alongside host Maya Rudolph. The synthy rock outfit played two new songs off their forthcoming album, Reign of Terror -- "Comeback Kid" (which we'd heard before) and a mellower number, "End of the Line." The episode made a few topical music references in a skit where celebrities drop by Jay-Z and Beyonce's to see Blue Ivy Carter. Most notable was Justin Timberlake's impersonation of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, which sparked a a schoolgirl reaction from Vernon on Twitter: "holy shit, i was just watching SNL and JT did a Bon Iver hilarious thing! Also, Maya Rudolph saying "bon iver" is enough. I can die now!!!"

As for Sleigh Bells, peek their performances below:

"Comeback Kid"

"End of the Line"

Comments

[blakegraham]

02:50 PM on 02/26/2012

I wrote a piece on Sleigh Bells for The Airspace, http://theairspace.net/music/sleigh-bells-reign-of-terror/ They're definitely better in studio due to the inherent precision needed to distinguish their music from noise. I explain in the article.

[delschmidt]

06:05 PM on 02/21/2012

Love Sleigh Bells, kudos to SNL for getting the word out on some of these lesser known artists. Bon Iver, Lana Del Rey, all great. Give me all 3 any day over the majority of the crap you hear on mainstream radio.

[cestpasvrai]

12:24 PM on 02/21/2012

I saw Sleigh Bells last week in Orlando. I didn't know what to expect (I bought tickets to their show only because I wanted to see Diplo play afterwards). I have to admit, they gave me a headache and not even the crowd's energy could get me to enjoy their noise.

[burton163]

09:56 AM on 02/21/2012

I was looking forward to seeing this band on SNL after all the hype they have received from the music press and hipster fans.

Uhhhhh...why this band received hype from the music press and hipster fans is a mystery.

The two guys "raging" on pointy headstock, metal guitars, both in jean jackets and sunglasses, I might add, sounded effete and looked foolish trying to act like they knew how to "rock". A thin, buzzy tone with no balls whatsoever belies wannabee's with no real experience outside of their bedroom studios and limp wristed stage moves made this whole performance laughable.

Oh yeah, the lead singer did not help their cause much either...no stage presence, no real emotion, no hutspah, no passion.

Next....

[ottovonb]

09:01 PM on 02/20/2012

Whew. First Velveeta Del Rey and now this. At least SNL is consistent.

[asbfan]

06:13 PM on 02/20/2012

I sure do hope all you people who are judging them have heard them somewhere else besides on the well known difficult music venue of SNL because I can tell you they do not normally sound or have to perform like that. They were obviously limited on what and how they performed. If you don't like them that's fine but don't be so judgemental on one performance. I've seen them live and while I don't like all their music myself they put on one hell of a show. Wish more people who know and love them would counter all this negative.

[GeorgeWGump]

09:03 PM on 02/20/2012

I thought they sounded terrible on SNL so I Googled them. You're right. They don't sound terrible. Their 'music' just sucks.

[wvprogressive2011]

05:13 PM on 02/20/2012

All SNL performances are terrible, it's the sound quality. Going on that stage can suck the good out of anyone.

[proveit2me]

05:07 PM on 02/20/2012

They may very well be a pretty good act, but the mix of the SNL performance didn't do them any favors. The vocals were mixed so low (intentionally?) they were obliterated by the rather irritating guitar. Won't judge by a single exposure, but it wasn't that impressive of a debut.

[dirtypirette]

03:26 PM on 02/20/2012

All of you commenters have no idea what you're talking about. Sleigh Bells has been one of my favorite bands since they debuted with their album, Treats. Their new album, Reign of Terror, is honestly one of the best albums I've ever heard in my life. No, I'm not a teenager and no, I don't live in my parent's basement. I admit, Sleigh Bells is definitely not for everyone. Their music is aggressive, energetic and fresh. Of course, they are no Katy Perry or Nicki Minaj, you know, the "real" musicians nowadays that have not one ounce of musical talent in their body, but there's something to be said for musicians that write and produce their own music and sing their own songs. Popular culture music has no heart, no emotion and no talent and it reflects in everything that is heard on MTV or on top 40 radio stations. When I listen to Sleigh Bells I hear raw, dripping emotion with well developed beats, thrashing guitars and a heavenly voice to counteract it all. Commenters, stick to your bullshit pop music and say to yourself "Now, THAT's what I call music." I'll happily stick to what is new and fresh and what makes me happy.

[GeorgeWGump]

09:05 PM on 02/20/2012

Hmmm. No fans. You're their mom, aren't you?

[jlo8415]

11:54 PM on 02/20/2012

"EraseNegateDelete". Now there is raw new age Industrial. They are from California somewhere. SanBernardino, I think.

[pxbxcx]

11:13 AM on 02/20/2012

I am so glad there are other comments about basement apartments. That was exactly my thought watching Sleigh Bells! Are they some group of kids that emerged from their mom's basement and somehow got on TV? I thought there was a joke played on us. Seriously, this band needs to stay in the basement of the suburbs.

[lynnybug]

10:49 AM on 02/20/2012

Not so good! Sound was irrataing. She had no voice or projection. Maybe that's what they want. Just not for me.

[butchcliff]

09:24 AM on 02/20/2012

Found their sound kinda annoying. The only dull moments on a truly great show.

[almchrl13]

12:18 AM on 02/20/2012

I could only make out a few snippets of the lyrics and no melodies to speak of.
Guess I'm old.
Give me INCOGNITO any day.

[AJB70]

11:34 PM on 02/19/2012

Maya Rudolph & crew were the funniest I have seen in years; great job on the entertainment portion of the show. Now on the "non-music side" , Santa Claus...I mean Sleigh Bells was like having to suffer through the nightmare. I am so thankful for having a fast forward button. You know Lana Del Ray was at least clear and audible and she has given the worst press reviews imaginable. Personally I think there was alot of jealously involved in these critiques by the "F n know it all's. If Bon Iver or the Christmas band..I mean sleigh bells are percieved to be that polished then there
are alot of people who need hearing tests.

[RebeccaSioux]

10:44 PM on 02/19/2012

That was the best SNL show of the year, minus Sleigh Bells. Both of their performances were awful.