Monday 09/12/02 Schneider TM, Radio 4, The Faint @ The Roadhouse, Manchester

2002 has without doubt been the year where rock finally donned it's leathers again, dug out its MC5 and Stooges records and at long last drop kicked nu-metal out of the arena. But for all the genius garage revelations, from Detroit to New York via London and Auckland, its also been a period where the 80's have become a by-word for "cool", with (predominantly) American artists reviving both post punk and electronica to stunningly ****ed up effect.

But before two of the key protagonists in this punk-funk electro second coming, Radio 4 and The Faint, first up its Berlin native Dirk Dresselhaus, aka Schneider TM. Described as a "sound fetishist", Schneider TM is thankfully not a member of the strokey chin, hey I've just dissapeared up my own arse dance brigade, preferring to take a more soulful acoustic feel as his launch pad. Like Norway's Kings of Convenience mixed by The Aphex Twin, Schneider then proceeds to weave in bleeps and beats - with as much skill as Coldcut - to create warm and adventurous soundscapes.

Rounding off with a cover of The Smiths' 'There's a Light that Never Goes Out' that manages to be both playful and respectful of the original, the Schneider TM live experience, for an all too brief 25 minutes, succeeds in chartering some sublime musical waters.

The de facto elder statesmen of the "New York Scene", Radio 4 are abject proof that youth and "cool hair" aren't pre-requisites for success. Influenced by Talking Heads, The Clash and Gang of Four and a righteous anger at the former mayor of New York's (Rudolph Giuliani) anti dance laws, 'Gotham!' has rightly been proclaimed one of the albums of the year and tonight they show why the hype and superlatives are well founded. 'Start a Fire' resounds with a militant urgency as jagged riffs meet's Nu-Yorican latin influenced percussion and keyboards to create a fiery call to arms whilst 'Nu Disco' is The Buzzcocks taking to the floor, proving schizophrenically that Radio 4 defy any "off the shelf" description. But it's left to THE single of the year (TM), 'Dance to the Underground' to righteously bring the house down, with Anthony Roman's ass shaking bass line bringing whoop's and hollers of recognition from the packed Roadhouse. And that, fundamentally, is why Radio 4 will always work! Like The Stone Roses, The Happy Mondays, New Order and The Specials, Radio 4 are a rock band that make you want to dance, throw shapes and basically let go - which can only be a good thing!

Don't mention the "electro-clash" words round here, because The Faint are taking synth music, recently bastardised and dressed up for the catwalk/art gallery by Fischerspooner, to altogether darker places. Recently joined by Dapose, formerly of Omaha death metal band Lead, The Faint live experience today is a world away from their lo-fi acoustic beginings. Like a full on glam rock Marilyn Manson, Clark Baechle's drums bang out a thumping beat whilst Dapsose's punky guitars are augmented perfectly by two keyboard players that crank the volume up to eleven with moody effects that should have Liam Howlett scurrying off back to the studio. But the undoubted star is vocalist Todd Baechle, wired, enagmatic and commanding the stage as The Faint pick the finest sweet n' sour offerings from new album 'Danse Macabre'.

The finest night of live music I've seen this year, if this is a sign of things to come in 2003, bring it on!

Photos by Andy Day