Arlene’s Grocery is a great little venue on Stanton St., between Ludlow and Orchard. A cozy bar with plenty of tables (a big plus, compared to similar venues like Pianos) complements an equally inviting showroom with a great sound system. Friday night, after getting some dinner at the Noodles & Company across the street, I came to Arlene’s to talk with the members of Red Datsun, and – of course – to hear their set.

I got there in time to see another five-piece band, Capital Moustache, take the stage. Like Red Datsun, they were on the more traditional side, at least by New York standards. They played heavy Riff Rock with moments of Metal and Punk. At their best, the two guitarists and their bassist played intricate and harmonious counterpoint that bubbled up to the surface of the texture.

Technically, they were a sight to see. Lead guitarist Tee Matarazzo tore it up with crazy licks in all sorts of weird time signatures and screaming pedal effects. He was truly a virtuoso. The entire band was gifted, but the entire showroom spent the set watching Matarazzo alone. It doesn’t help that their songwriting wasn’t quite up to their instrumental talent. Their long form songs were often rambling, with confusing instrumental breaks. I enjoyed their experimental side, but sometimes the sudden tempo and time signature changes felt forced. I found myself waiting impatiently through each song until Matarazzo’s solo, transfixed as his fingers moved expertly across the guitar.

Red Datsun were up next. They’ve been doing the live circuit in New York for three years now, and you can tell that the experience has paid off. Their straight-ahead Rock is airtight. Mix some 90’s Alt-Rock with a dash of punk and the swagger of late eighties hard rock, and you’ve got a good approximation of Red Datsun’s sound.

Frontman Dave Miller is a one-man show, strutting and sputtering his way through the set with the best kind of Rockstar showmanship. Like AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, his personality is so magnetic and vivacious that it hardly matters that he can’t really sing. He is first and foremost a storyteller, and the lyrics are more important than the melody. The rest of the band gives him plenty of room do his thing, their phrasing always complementing his.

Miller’s lyrics are filled with references to places where band members grew up, most notably Maryland and New Jersey. This works especially well for Red Datsun. Their lyrics add a further melancholy, nostalgic sheen to a sound that is quickly becoming, for better or worse, retro. Miller delivers the lyrics powerfully. His snarled singing and his theatrics made this short set incredibly fun to watch, a fierce blur of energy; pure Rock n’ Roll.

Red Datsun has a self-titled release out, a bunch of singles, and a music video for their punky anthem “Devil You Know.” You can download the CD here. For those of you who just can’t get enough, here’s the music video, PLUS an extra-special video of the song “Fort Greene” from last night’s show:

Devil May Know, directed by Colin Rivera

 

BestNewBands.com, shot by Garrett Nichols