Friday 18/07/03 Dogs Die In Hot Cars @ The Picket, Liverpool

Possibly the worst named band amongst the current crop of new talent, Dogs Die in Hot Cars are Glasgow's answer to Hot Hot Heat, except without the studied New York rock-chic and the distortion turned way down. Recently releasing their debut single 'I Love You 'Cause I Have To' on Radiate records the Scottish five-piece markedly share similar reference points to their Canadian sound-a-likes; David Byrne or Kevin Roland or Bryan Ferry over skipping indie pop.

A lot of the time it can be uncomfortable listening to this band, there's a healthy mix of naff eighties crap being bandied around and it doesn't help that the lead singer's quiff resembles that crooning ****er Rick Astley, however slight. But there's more to this band than puff ball skirts, New Romantics and Live Aid; clever melodies, time changes and general quirkiness augur well and without doubt this band have a promising future.

Currently lacking only in a live "show" DDiHC have a penchant for pop, and although the set is thoroughly flagging by the mid-point it is absolutely revitalised by their brilliant current single. Make sure you keep the windows down, this pups got some growing to do.