Back in 2002, garage rock seemed to rule the airwaves. Bands like The Hives, The White Stripes, The Strokes, and the Hellacopters had finally become household names and it seemed that the future of rock n roll was in good hands.
Closer to home, New Zealand flourished with their own talent delivering the goods with The D4 and the awesome foursome known as The Datsuns. It seemed too good to be true and unfortunately, that was exactly right and most of the bands that fell under the moniker of the “garage rock revival”, as it was known, were forgotten almost as quickly as they came. Sure, a few managed to stay in the limelight but the majority were shunned back into the small clubs and pubs where they spent many years prior trying to be recognised.
The Datsuns were one band that while the mainstream public quickly sought a new trend to follow, their diehard fans stayed true and followed them on their way down from the spot at the height of garage rock n roll.
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Now 12 years on and six albums later, thankfully The Datsuns are still with us dishing out albums that unfortunately for the most part have fallen under the radar to many. This trek back into rock obscurity hasn’t phased the band though as their show at Melbourne’s renowned Ding Dong Lounge sold out fast and judging by the looks on the many lucky punters who managed to snag themselves a ticket, no one was left feeling unsatisfied.
From the moment the band stepped on stage to an enthusiastic audience, you could sense the excitement that was in the room as it had been a few long years since the New Zealand quartet had graced our shores.
Opening with cuts from their latest release, Deep Sleep, and pulling tracks from their entire discography, there was not a dud track amongst them.
By the time the band played classics like ‘Sittin Pretty’ and ‘Harmonic Generator’, everyone was movin’ and groovin’ and there were smiles all round. Things really heated up once they rocked their way through their call to arms, ‘MF From Hell’, the place erupted into a scene of flailing arms and spilled drinks as Ding Dong’s tiny space in front of the stage became a moshpit frenzy.
The crowd energy didn’t stop, or even slow down for that matter, until the last note was played before the band left the stage for a quick breather. Returning to the stage quickly, they launched into ‘Stuck Here For Days’ which saw the energetic gig-goers jump right back into a whirlwind of moshing.
Sadly, due to curfews, the band were advised of one more song and opted to finish with the anthemic ‘What Would I Know’ complete with audience participation. After a stellar performance, the band bid their farewells and exited the stage while the crowd cheered on just hoping that somehow the curfew gods would shine a light on them and do the impossible giving the gift of a few more songs.
Unfortunately this was not meant to be. Still, it has to be said that The Datsuns put on one of the year’s most rock n roll performances that was complimented by a great mix through a perfect sound system. If only more gigs sounded this good.
It should be noted that in his time away from The Datsuns, bassist and vocalist, Dolf De Borst, has been spending his time in Swedish rock outfit, Imperial State Electric, alongside one of Scandinavia’s most prolific songwriters and electrifying performers, Nicke Andersson (Entombed / The Hellacopters / Death Breath), so it is no question how Borst and Co. have become quite the professional performers that they have over the years.
These guys may not be as hyped as they were 12 years ago but they haven’t let the lack of public interest overshadow their commitment to delivering high energy rock n roll the way it is meant to be seen, heard and played. Until next time… Thanks guys!
