Sticky tunes with porno feedback.

Liela, with Luke, Dan, Toby and "The Kid", are a London-based five-piece who tout spunky energy tempered with the forlornness of the blues... Now then, The Kills are a fine band - they throw all the right shapes and flick good guitar licks, they sing with Marlboro-stained vocal chords and write lyrics like they’ve been mixing their bourbon with crushed peyote. They do right, and no, we’re not going to hit you with some "but we’ve found someone better" bullshit.

That said, The Duke Spirit are an equally sure-shot band who have a better name, for one, and don’t give the appearance that they’re trying too hard when they play live. The Duke Spirit have got that "we don’t give a f**k what you think ‘cos we love what we’re doing" thing down pat. And as for their recorded material, they’re a group that’s lurked confidently since the summer 2003 release of their debut EP, Roll, Spirit, Roll - six tracks that have gleaned a steady stream of admirers with their one-horse town tales and jagged chord stand-offs.

Like The Kills, The Raveonettes, Royal Trux and Sonic Youth, even, they’ve got the horny girl/boy thing going on. Frontwoman Liela Moss has got "it" by the truckload - she’s like Nico, only with the welcome addition of Debbie Harry’s strut. If you desire squalls of porno feedback, violins and tunes that stick, combined with plenty to look at, then look no further. Stuart Turnbull 05 December 03

The Duke Spirit - Roll, Spirit, Roll EP is out now on City Rockers.

useful link: www.dukespirit.com