Dartz!
Live at Cockpit on Thursday, 30th March 2006
Ah, the mighty Dance To The Radio night strikes again. Never a month goes past without another three bands more than worthy of headlining a show all by themselves being wheeled out and cast asunder to a crowd that in the most part aren't overly familiar with the talent on show but are more than willing to co-operate (or at least pensively listen) to what DTTR has to offer.
Tonight has to be the best yet. Scouse tykes Hot Club De Paris kick the show off in typically bizarre fashion with a microphone absent acapella, almost barbershop quartet (or triplet in this case), rendition of 'Welcome to the Hot Club De Paris'. Interesting? Yes. Quirky? Yes. Slightly confusing? Yes. The theme is continued throughout with start/stop almost jazzy guitar fretery mixed with occasional Futureheads reminiscent vocals but lacking the chorus or hooks needed to hold the audience for the full duration. Another odd triple entente of vocal harmonies is concluded by possibly their best number before that finishes with a trademark "Wooooo" from the drummer and the Hot Club De Paris is closed for the evening. Perhaps more a B&B in Skegness than the Casablanca though for the time being.
Like a fine brie, Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames just get better and better as the months roll on. The Leeds locals continue to take strides forwards in every way possible as their imminent single launch draws nearer. Stage 1 is almost complete and you wouldn't bet against them (technical term:) 'doing a Forward Russia' this year. Through the ever decreasingly relevant At The Drive-In/Blood Brothers comparisons and onto ever more dancey pastures, SYEAYBIF use every inch of space available to them and absolutely storm it tonight. Opening with one of the more recent pennings as oppose to the surely tailor made to open a set epic that is 'Pterodactyl Skin Trousers', Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames have just about got enough quality songs to flood the whole set but you still feel there's a hell of a lot more potential lurking beneath within this incredible post-punk sound the band have collectively moulded. Much lauded DTTR cut 'Amputee Smile' inevitably grabs the plaudits but single 'Signal Noise' is set to vie for that position sooner rather than later. Another faultless performance from one of the most raucous and exciting bands to come out of Leeds in a long time. Go see.
Dartz! are never going to (or even attempt to) manage to convey the same degree of energy SYEAYBIF triumph in transferring across but that's not Dartz! prerogative. Dartz! are much more safe and are more interested in just making you tap your leg and sing a long rather than inciting full on dancing in the streets. Drawing closest comparisons to Komakino or Kubichek! but also with hints towards a more harder tinted nature akin to Jetplane Landing and even on occasion trading blows with the now sadly defunct Mclusky. Most hinted towards on one of the sets highlights 'Laser Eyes' with the lyrics "If I had electronic eyes / with lasers as their main components / I'd kill all those that I despise". Quite impressive if slightly underwhelming upon conclusion, Dartz! are definitely worth a listen even if they're unlikely to leave a lasting impression.
