Review: The Dead Weather

White Stripes, The Kills, Queens of the Stoneage - the impressive rock lineage of The Dead Weather, who played their first Kiwi show last night.

The Dead Weather is not Jack White's band. Yes, the White Stripes leader and modern day guitar hero, is the most famous name in this 'cool kids of rock' super group. And his distinct clash of blues, American folk, and wailing garage rock is an undeniable force in the Dead Weather's songs.

But during their first show in New Zealand it's clear there are four distinct players in this band - and it sure ain't the Jack White show.

Front woman Alison Mosshart (The Kills) is seductive and lethal with her flailing head of frayed and unkempt black hair, striking gorgeous yet ghoulish poses, and letting loose with her blistering yowl.

Then there's Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) whose more elaborate guitar playing is an ideal contrast to White, and his stunning organ and keys work moves from eerie on So Far From Your Weapon to Wurlitzer-meets-funereal on the excellent Cut Like A Buffalo; and unassuming bass player Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes/Raconteurs) is a thundering and soulful bottom-end presence.

And while White is a great drummer he relishes the chance to be out front playing guitar and hollering, which he gets to do a lot during a 70-minute set covering most of the band's debut Horehound, some covers (including You Just Can't Win by Them, Van Morrison's old band), and a handful of new songs off their second album due out later this year.

The last of these new songs, Hustle & Cuss, sees the band in a heavy psychedelic frenzy, complete with maracas, a funk rumble, spitting vocals, and Fertita's mean organ coming through once again, which leads into their shouty and disonant version of Bob Dylan's New Pony off Horehound.

The Dead Weather play heavy blues, with Sabbath-like tendencies, only there's more emphasis on the blues than the metal. Or perhaps it's just rowdy porch music? That's what the tough and cool lope of So Far From Your Weapon is; Cut Like A Buffalo is a blaring and lurching stomp; and duets don't get any better than Will There Be Enough Water? with White and Mosshart nose to nose at the microphone as if they are about to kiss deeply and passionately.

Moments like this, and when White switches from playing guitar to drums to kick the songs back in, sum up the unique chemistry between these players. Everything is second nature, making it effortless, powerful and tight.

Topping it off with the strobing and mangled onslaught of Treat Me Like Your Mother makes this one of, if not the best, show of the summer.


Where? Powerstation, Auckland, March 18