Die! Die! Die!

There was a time when having your album produced – sorry, recorded – by Steve Albini gave a band instant bragging rights on the indie scene. Those days may be long gone, but when Albini did the honors for Die! Die! Die! on their debut album in 2005, it was like a stamp of approval for the emerging New Zealand three-piece. They've since built up a solid international following, helped by relentless touring that's seen them play everywhere from Shanghai to Zagreb this year alone. No onto their third album (and third bassist), the band continue to mine the same vein of post-punk that inspired latterday pretenders such as Interpol and Editors, though they bring a fevered energy to the mix that makes them a mite more interesting. The kick-off gig in a quick round of Tokyo dates sees them sharing a bill with local guitar acts including the brilliant 2UP, Tadzio and Mothercoat.