The Datsuns' Dolf De Borst On Their Biggest Musical Influences

Redd Kross

Redd Kross were a very early inspiration for us, with their excellent vocal harmony and loud guitar combinations. The McDonald brothers formed Redd Kross in the late '70s, their first show opening for Black Flag (at the age of 16 and 12!!!!!) and have been making brilliant records ever since. 

Cheap Trick

When I was a teenager I read in Christian's [guitarist, Christian Livingstone] guitar mag about this thing called "power pop" and how all these bands at the time owed it all to this band Cheap Trick, so I went and got their first five records for like $5. 

The White Stripes

We opened for the White Stripes a bunch of times in the early '00s, in New Zealand in tiny venues and then much larger ones in Australia and the US as they rose to well deserved stardom. These guys showed us the raw power of minimalism. 

T Rex

Growing up we weren't exposed to much music outside the mainstream, Top 40 hits... so we had to go looking for weirder stuff. The local video store had a few VHS music tapes, DEVO and T Rex among them; collections of music videos and other promo material. We constantly had these on loan, eventually they just sold them to us for a couple bucks. T Rex was otherworldy, wonderfully strange lyrics, danceable grooves, amazing arrangements. Super!

DEVO

I once crawled out onstage behind DEVO at some festival in Japan and nicked a discarded yellow jumpsuit. Later someone from the band, I forget who, told me they dug our band name. I replied quickly that it was inspired by their song, Come Back Jonee! They didn't believe me. Anyway, here's Mongoloid.

The Datsuns' Eye To Eye is out now. Have a listen below.