As the story goes, four young lads from Sheffield get some instruments for Christmas, learn how to play them, write some songs and play the shit out of them live. A year or so later with the help of Myspace, they blow up even before releasing a record. The UK papers report them to be one of the biggest bands in UK history and kids line up outside the record shops to pick up the album. The record debuts at number one in the UK, wins awards, gets high praise, and they are on top of the world.

All this is happening across the pond… here honestly no one gives a fuck.

Sharing the same stomp guitar dance at times as their label mates Franz Ferdinand and melodies borrowed from UK bands like The Libertines, This under 21 band hits their stride with songs like “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” and prepubescent crooner tune “Riot Van”. The Brit kids will get it, everyone else might miss out on some solid songs and great moments.

David Dalton