Hardy rock

Weird - it doesn't feel like it's been more than a year since I last saw the Department Of Foreign Affairs playing a set of their own material. Anyway, there they were at Zaphod's playing their Todd Rundgren-ish pop rock. It's their last show until October - they plan to lay low until their freshly recorded CD emerges.

Rob Skitmore and new guy bass player Chris Thibedeau.



The D'urbervilles' pop features more synth and the front-and-centre bass, agitated guitars and desperate vocals that make me think of 1980s new wave in general and the Talking Heads in particular.



A very energetic set that kicked off with a finger-snapping nod to West Side Story.