Sunday 09/03/03 Ok Go, The D4 @ Barfly, Liverpool

With a CD:UK performance already under their belt, Chicago's Ok Go seem to be firmly on the schmindie-pop gravy train, and on the basis of their scarily-almost-likeable, but ultimately distasteful Wheatusy geek rock show tonight, they're going to be around for some time yet. Boundary kitsch melodies with commendable backing vocals and straining chorus hooks are far too 'cute' to be doing anything much at all. After several watered-down attempts at firing up an atmosphere, they hedge their bets on the Weezer lyrically inspired single-of-the-moment 'Get Over It', yet still fail to excite with its horribly contagious chorus. Lame, but unquestionably will sell skip loads.

And then into Liverpool strides another healthy dose of infectious Antipodean side-burn-down-your-garage punk, to demolish what's left of the previous performances. The D4 do it fast, they do it hard, and they don't stray into the embarrassingly dangerous territory of widdle-rock that their Datsun compatriots nauseatingly overindulge in. This is ultra express-train riffage at its very best, and the bass player used to go out with Liv Tyler. Apparently.

'Get Loose' is a stomping 200mph snarl, and 'Running On Empty' provides us with true 70s/80s heart pounding power-rock bliss. Even 'Come On' veers into a strangely acceptable form of gritty heavy metal, as Supergrass may have sounded, circa '86. Vertigo inducing PA climbing accompanies the high velocity sonic destruction that is 'Rock 'n' Roll Mother****er' while frontman Jim Christmas uses his axe to batter into the middle of crowd without missing a note. 'Exeter City' also betrays all the glory of punch-air rock, yet still, mercifully, does not reek of the disconcerting stench of 'stadium rawk'. Like a rock hitting you in the face, you cannot default your attention from The D4.

Photos by Sakura Henderson :: sakura@gigwise.com