Wednesday 25/09/02 The Datsuns @ The Cockpit, Leeds

"Super Rock n' Roll" was how Chris from touring companions The Pattern described these omnipresent Kiwi's, who have pitched up in this atmospheric venue lying beneath the railway arches in Leeds as part of a month long nation-wide jaunt. Fuelled by more hype than a pack of salivating music hacks clamouring at the feet of Craig Nicholl's, its not surprising that an anticipating crowd are literally climbing up the walls as The Datsuns bound on stage to the apt strains of stomping Glam Rock.

Rather unfairly, the band themselves have characterised their clever pastiche of Deep Purple and AC/DC influenced riffola as "big dumb rock" which on tonight's evidence does them a huge disservice. Ok, so there's the big hair, the ridiculously ironic poses and the widdly guitar solo's that most would balk at, but to meld this into a perfect pop song performed at 100mph with pinpoint precision takes real talent and intelligence.

Complete with warbly Elvis breakdown, 'Super Gyration' - B-side to current single 'In Love' - is a perfect example of this genre hopping ability. It's 'Shake A Leg' by AC/DC performed by Mudhoney to fantastic effect, and as Dolph's throaty roar brings it all to an ear bleed loud crescendo, the crowd understandably go wild . That this song was written almost three years ago, merely underlines the fact that The Datsuns have been ploughing this rich furrow for some time criminally unnoticed.

And from here on in it's a display of jaw dropping "super rock n' roll", that confirms The Datsuns status as the live band of the moment. 'Fink for the Man' starts with a squall of feedback before charging headlong into a New York Dolls, Ramonesey punk heaven whilst 'In Love' struts proudly as a great big soppy love song with teeth.

Rounded off with 'Freeze Sucker' that see's Phil Datsun astride the speaker stack once again, hair flailing and firing off great big riffs fatter than a Cuban cigar, the diverse crowd of indie kids, rockers, nu metallers and lovers of great music depart grinning ear to ear. At long last, the hype is finally justified!

Photos by Ainz