OZ Beat: Music That Matters

Datsuns

woohoo, they played Sydney last night and 'twas wonderful!!!!! Think there was only one new song in the set Cherry something, started with the Cheap Trick cover, which I love, but it left the crowd a bit puzzled because they didn't know it :) but then they got into the album stuff and it went off! God they were good - there is a newish review of them live on www.nme.com and I really have nothing to add. Had a very quick word with Dolf afterwards, and it's another very polite guy, though I have a terrible habit of touching peoples arms sometimes, and he was touching mine back, usually if I do do it (I try not to!), they look a bit stunned, and he just acted like touching this complete stranger on the arm was totally normal, and did it back. And he's a lot taller than I thought, considering how narrow shouldered he is, he's about 6ft, which isn't Strokes/TCTC height, but still a lot taller than musicians are in my memory, they sure must eat better than in my day (I always think back to The Cure who were just past my waist). The Casanovas supported and I am getting more and more impressed by them each time I see them. I think they are doing some UK dates before and after the Euro tour they are doing with the Datsuns, and then some US dates (not sure if that is with the Datsuns), might be the right timeframe for SXSW? Check 'em out! They have an EP out in Australia, which is fantastic - you like The Datsuns, You'll like these guys.
--Melanie

Datsuns threw a party tonight (Chicago)

Not much print PR and the show must have been scheduled recently. The crowd was about 1/3 familiar with the band (the Empty Bottle gets a regular crowd that just hangs there no matter who is playing). The Datsuns were stunning from the moment they took the stage. Rarely do you get to see a band that is right at the cusp--where they have made a big break through (UK buzz and recent acclaim) that gives them an extra shot of adrenalin that allows them to confidently take the stage and give everything they have in a manner that says this is who we are and we know you are going to like it. No rock star attitude anywhere in this band--they know they can play with the "big" boys without becoming the parody. They had no set list--but it all just flowed without time to catch a breath. They were tight--but not slick. The last few months I have noticed a lot of bands with a bass player or drummer or one musician that really stands out. Not the case with this band. Four riveting musicians, and it is impossible to take your eyes off of any of them. The lead singer has the best scream I have heard in a very long time--and he does it with his eyes not just open--but fucking wide eyed. If you dig their album--the concert is ten-fold. If you only kind of like the album--this band will convince you. From song one it was obvious that they truly love playing out. This is the band that The Music should strive to be. I liked The Music--but it was so rehearsed that I felt that I saw the best that they had--and they have no place to go. The Datsuns were a fucking tidal wave that occasionally brought it down, made you relax for a second, only to come back with a fierceness that was three notches higher than I thought they could go. And they are only going to grow. Occasionally they give each other a glance on stage--but they each have such complex things to bring to the whole that they don't interact a lot (mostly knocking into each other). It seemed like four brilliant musicians doing what they individually do best--creating a unit that provided one of the best shows of the year. I've said that a few times this year--but this is definitely in my top 5. I was expecting great things--and I got steamrolled by 4 guys from New Zealand that are at the absolute top of their game--and they know it. So did the crowd. Encore of Goodnight Ladies and Gentleman (Cheap Trick--who I don't particularly dig) was the perfect closer. They are heading to the UK--this is definitely the tour to see--I'm not sure they can ever really recapture this breakthrough moment in their career. But I wouldn't put it past them. This is a band creating an awesome party.
--Dem

The Datsuns

You gotta go see these guys!!!!!! The energy! The attitude! The strut! The moves! The tunes! The absolute ridiculousness of the RAAAWWWWKKKKK!! They have it all! (plus tight jeans) Not exactly a cerebral musical outing, but they'll get your pelvis. fun fun fun! And some of the Von Bondies did backing vocals on the album. The Cooper Temple Clause still have me awestruck by what they do, but The Datsuns have my face aching from grinning too much... They are very much of the "keep it simple stupid" school, which isn't easy to do this well! OK, I admit, I'm over-excited again, but go see them anyway!
--Melanie
[Australia]