Photo:
Who remembers The Datsuns? We all do, of course we do, with their hotter than hell debut album in 2002, they were massive weren’t they? It’s a mystery, therefore, as to why exactly they are playing the 200 capacity Luminaire tonight. It’s even more of a mystery that this shoebox of a venue isn’t quite full. Just as this reviewer is beginning to wonder whether he has actually turned up a) at the right place, and b) on the right night, New Zealand’s finest take the stage, and the tiny crowd get ready for a painfully loud, but soothingly intimate couple of hours.
Lead singer Dolf is typically cool tonight, peering from behind a thick crop of lank, sweaty hair, he wails his way through old favourites such as ‘MF from Hell’, that sound as fresh and exciting as they did 4 years ago. Oozing bravado, he starts songs with a deep, Schwarzenegger-esque cry of ‘Let’s do it!’, a call to arms for his fellow rock-god mates. Guitarist Christian is still the rock stereotype that we all know and love, gurning with pleasure as he squeezes out solo after solo, literally humping his guitar into submission. As the lads thrash their way into ‘Sittin’ Pretty’ and other such ear-drum busting oldies, tonight’s crowd are given a quick masterclass (or should that be refresher course) in what it is to be cool as fuck, as fuck can be. The power chords are relentless, the squeals unadulterated, the hair long, and the trousers tight – unbeatably good.
Most excitingly, however, tonight’s audience are treated to a handful of absolutely ace brand new tracks that get a phenomenal response. Set opener, ‘Such a Pretty Curse’ is fast, loose, and powerful, whilst ‘Waiting for Your Time to Come’ sees Christian pick up a capo and slide, and create some beautifully delicate lead guitar harmonies that sing their way through the verses with almost an eastern influence, before a driving chorus introduces some pounding drums to the mix, and turns the rock-o-meter up to 10. Other new track ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ is more like the anthems we have come to expect of The Datsuns, with a killer riff and an epic chorus to boot. All in all, lovely stuff – circle October 2 in your rock calendars, if these few tracks are anything to go by, new album ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ will be well worth the money.
The guys wrap up with an elongated, jammed out version of ‘Freeze Sucker’ that leaves the crowd jittering with excitement, despite a sudden power failure half way through (drummer Matt’s resilience is noteworthy, as he powers through the blackout, keeping perfect rock time until the lights come up and the other three chaps can finish things off good and proper – nice job). So The Datsuns are still fucking ace, and tonight’s lucky few leave with the sense of honoured smugness that comes with seeing something a little bit special.
.jpg)
