A couple of weeks ago, People Eating People played their first show ever to a very appreciative crowd at the Sunset. They are a new project, but with a familiar face; PEP are fronted by ex–Mon Frere frontwoman Nouela Johnston. Johnston coyly delivered a batch of never-heard-before material, and it was clear from the audience's hollers and applause that fans have been starved for her vocal talents since MF fizzled a couple of years ago. With that band, Johnston screamed out choruses in an electrifying hybrid of blues and punk; these days, she takes a seat at the piano to croon more poignant material that nods to bygone eras of smoky-vocaled lounges and playful piano parlor tunes.

Visit The Stranger's Bands Page at www.thestranger.com/bands to hear People Eating People.