The Darts (US)
100 Club, London

HERALDED as a garage rock all girl group bringing their twisted slumber party to town, the 100 Club’s hallowed stage is home to The Darts all the way from the USA. They’re dropping into town for the only UK date of their ambitious 16 dates in 16 days European tour.

Opening the set with My Heart is a Graveyard, there’s a tried and tested formula. It’s all thumping bass, hard rocking beats, a rockabilly guitar riff merging with a ’60s-style Farfisa organ while singer Nicole Laurenne screams over the top.

It brings to mind The Dead Weather crossed with The Cramps topped with a good dose of 1950s B-movie schlock.

Snake Oil follows in much the same vein, while third track The Cat’s Meow slows the pace down but keeps the horror garage rock edge to the fore.

The band are over in Europe ahead of a new album due in February. Signed to Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label there’s a shout out to him for his support, but then it’s back to the ribald rock ‘n’ roll.

It’s fun if a little repetitive in places, although the set is full of twists and turns whether that be their self-penned James Bond theme Spy Girl to some gravity-defying organ playing on Underground as Laurenne is on her back with the instrument on top of her while still singing her heart out.

Love U 2 Death is slower again, with vocals reminiscent of Danielle Dax, latest single Love Tsunami brings back the garage rock, and My Way ups the female-focused attitude. In the main the speed is fast, the riffs are rough and ready and the audience are enjoying it.

If you’re looking for a fun filled hour of garage rockabilly riffs, spiderweb capes, combined with a bit of 1950s B-movie magic and a punk rock attitude, then The Darts live fit the bill.

Touring Europe through October.