The Datsuns
The Datsuns are a rock band originally from Cambridge. In 1995, while still at school, Dolf de Borst, Phil Buscke and Matt Osment formed a band under the name Trinket. Christian Livingstone joined the band in 1997. Recording and releasing material on cassette tapes, Trinket built up a solid following around Htown due to goofy yet irresistable songs like Girly Gumshoe and Chocolate Coated Mamas.
In 1998 they entered the Contact 89FM Battle of the Bands, eventually coming second place to Trucker (for whom Dolf played bass also). The following year the group were victorious, slaying all opposition with ease (the only group to perhaps have a chance of beating them were Handsome Geoffrey).
Renaming themselves 'The Datsuns', in August 2000 they released their first single, Super Gyration! on seven inch vinyl only, with a show at Ward Lane. In July 2002, after featuring several times on John Peel's programme on the UK's BBC Radio 1 and being hailed as "the future of rock" by the British music press, the band signed with the V2 record label.
By the time of their next gig in Hamilton, the band were huge. They sold out Diggers back bar as well as other venues across NZ with ease. Within a year, they were able to charge $25 and fill a venue as large as Altitude - two years prior, they struggled to fill Ward Lane while charging only $2.
In 2003 the band played on the mainstage at Ozzfest, alongside the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Marilyn Manson and Korn. They played the main stage of the 2004 Big Day Out festival and opened for Metallica in their Australian tour in the same year. Their second album Outta Sight, Outta Mind, realeased in 2004, was produced by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones.
In 2006 they released their third album, Smoke and Mirrors. Near the end of the year, founding member Matt Osment left the band, replaced by Ben Cole (formerly of Pugnaut).
Singles and EPs
- Super Gyration!, 2000
- Fink for the Man, 2001
- Lady, 2001
- In Love, 2002
- Sittin' Pretty, 2002
- Harmonic Generator, 2003
- MF from Hell, 2003
- Blacken my Thumb, 2004
- Girl's Best Friend, 2004
- Sky is Falling, 2006
- Stuck Here for Days, 2006
- System Overload, 2006
- High School Hoodlums, 2008 (at performances only)
Albums
- The Datsuns 2002
- Outta Sight, Outta Mind 2004
- Smoke and Mirrors 2006
Other Releases
The Datsuns appear on the 2005 John Peel tribute single Ever Fallen in Love (with Someone you Shouldn't've)
Dolf de Datsun contributes to the track I'll Take You Down on the 2005 Fantastic Four Soundtrack
Commercial Compilation Releases
Supergyration appears on the 2001 compilation Year Zero
All I want for Christmas appears on the 2001 compilation Christmas On The Rocks: A New Zealand Rock 'N' Roll Christmas
Super Gyration appears on the 2001 compilation 91FM New Music Sampler
Motherfucker From Hell appears on the 2002 compilation New Blood - The New Rock N Roll Vol 2
Motherfucker From Hell appears on the 2002 compilation The Best Tracks From The Best Albums
Little Bruise appears on the 2002 compilation The New Rock Revolution
Sittin' Pretty appears on the 2003 compilation Samsonic Festival Volume 2
Lady appears on the 2003 The Locals soundtrack
In Love appears on the 2003 compilation Big Day Out 03
Harmonic Generator appears on the 2003 compilation The X List
Fink for the Man appears on the 2004 compilation Rock'n'Roll Disease
MF from Hell appears on the 2004 compilation Big Day Out 04
In Love appears on the 2004 compilation Fabriclive 07
I Ain't Got Time For Love appears on the 2004 compilation St. Valentines Killers
Motherfucker From Hell appears on the 2004 compilation Get a Haircut
Blacken My Thumb appears on the 2004 compilation State of the Nation
Blacken My Thumb appears on the 2005 compilation Viva la Bands
In Love appears on the 2005 DVD compilation Later...Louder
Messin' Around apperas on the 2005 compilation Razzmatazz 04
Harmonic Generator appears on the 2006 compilation More Nature
MF From Hell appears on the 2006 compilation Jackass Number 2 Soundtrack
All Aboard appears on the 2007 compilation Outrageous Fortune
NB: all of the above compilation releases can be found on other releases except All I want for Christmas on the 2001 compilation Christmas On The Rocks: A New Zealand Rock 'N' Roll Christmas
Promotional Compilation Releases
MF From Hell appears on the 2003 promo CD NZ on Air Indie Hit Disc 24
Harmonic Generator appears on the 2003 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 58
In Love appears on the promo only compilation The Tuis New Zealand Music Awards, 2003
Blacken My Thumb appears on the 2004 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 66
Girls Best Friend appears on the 2004 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 68
In Love appears on the 2002 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 56
Stuck Here for Days appears on the 2006 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 84
System Overload appears on the 2006 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 87
Waiting for your time to come appears on the 2007 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 90
Stuck Here for Days appears on the 2007 promo CD New Zealand Music V
Highschool Hoodlums appears on the 2008 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 102
Published Articles
- The Datsuns, NME, 5 October 2002 (on cover)
- The Datsuns, Rip it Up 312 (Aug/Sep 2006), P60-61
