Gig reviews: DZ Deathrays, Flat 0/1, Glasgow

AUSSIE punk duo DZ Deathrays cut their teeth playing house parties around their native Brisbane, so it was a no-brainer to site their Glasgow gig in Flat 0/1, a student bar kitted out in retro kitsch to look like shared accommodation circa 1975. Only cleaner, and with devil drink Mad Dog 20/20 on the optics.

Vocalist/guitarist Shane Parsons and drummer Simon Ridley could go for that. One of their early videos featured the pair downing shots of Jagermeister to a low-slung fuzz punk number called The Mess Up. But despite the dorky name and their self-coined “party thrash” style, their debut album Bloodstreams is actually a heap of not-so-dumb fun with definite Black Keys-like crossover potential. Live, this translated as admirably rigorous chaos. Their first act upon taking to the corner of the room was to offer their guests a swig from their bottle of liquor. Then it was down to business.

They had brought their own disco lightshow to the party but really all the power in the performance came from the considerable racket they can muster as a two-piece, Parson’s gargantuan guitar sound shot through with a keening electro pulse, propelled along by Ridley’s relentless thrashing and topped off with a sneering vocal or, better still, an anarchic howl.

At first, the audience were a little shy of invading their space, but if DZ Deathrays carry on at this wattage, they’re going to need a bigger house.

Rating: ****