Dogs Die In Hot Cars

With half the music industry squelched at the back of the Barfly, a band take the stage whose name is a warning to canine owners across the country – especially considering it’s 98 degrees outside. Whether you think the name sucks ass or you think it’s the best moniker since ‘A Box of Fish with Tartar Sauce’, Dogs Die In Hot Cars prove that their collection of bouncy Glaswegian grooves are as catchy and intriguing as their chosen band name suggests. Chopping guitars and a super-fuelled rhythm section lie at the heart of tonight’s short but sweet set of poppy-bops. As tight and together and as an elephant in a mini (or should I say a Great Dane in a boot), DDIHC provide a string of instantly memorable twangs and choruses, that are flecked with both ska-a-like beats and rousing melodies.

Having been together since they were 14 (they’re now all 22) DDIHC are a group of musicians who can not only play, but structure their songs with perfect timing and flux – years of practise providing the backbone and gel necessary to deliver half an hour of distinctive and exciting 3 minute jaunts. These Scottish purveyors of danceable, sing-able gems quite simply, ‘have the songs’. Within tonight’s rapid set, current single ‘I Love You Cause I Have Too’ is just one of many cleverly crafted pop tunes, all backed with rhythmical prowess and powered through Craig Macintosh’s Kevin Rowland-esque vocals.

As DDIHC leave the stage and with most of the music industry wondering whether Dexys Midnight Runners back catalogue still sells, the band have confirmed that the energy they’ve created on their first single release, is as frantically fantastic throughout their live performance as it is on record.