Datsuns win at home

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

The Datsuns might be the band largely ignored in New Zealand until they made a big splash in the British media, but they're officially home-town heroes now.

The debut album by the rock'n'roll group from Cambridge entered the New Zealand album charts at number one yesterday - the fourth Kiwi album to debut at the top spot this year after a Herbs best-of, Bic Runga's Beautiful Collision and Pacifier's self-titled effort.

The band's label says The Datsuns, which the band recorded in London, has sold more than 5000 copies locally since its release last week which was preceded by a short national tour to sell-out crowds.

The album entered the British charts at number 17 three weeks ago, dropping to 37, then 63.

The group are on tour in Britain, and heard the news of their New Zealand number one just before they were about to go on stage at the Boat Club in Nottingham and were "absolutely stoked".

"Wow, that's [expletive] brilliant. Home rocks!" said drummer Matt Datsun, via a record company statement.

The Datsuns fly to New York tomorrow to begin a two-week US tour, and then return to Europe for another three-week tour.

At home, the Datsuns could be knocked from the top spot next week by another local group, Blindspott, whose debut album was released on Monday with orders just short of a platinum-status 15,000 copies.