SOULWAX - DINGWALLS - MELODY MAKER 4th May 2000

" The backdrop kinda gives Soulwax's game away before they even swagger onstage. We see the bands name in three-foot high spangly sequins. It's gonna be a night of glitzy glamorama, high cheekbones and polished pop, so you'd better leave your post-grunge chic and warm lager outside. Welcome to supermodel rock.

Looking like they've just wandered off an ultra-trendy fasion shoot, Soulwax saunter onstage in suits so sharp they should carry a government health warning. Yet while singer Stephen is Soulwax's toppermost dandy, resplendant in a gleaming white suit and tousled bleach-blonde hair, he also perfects the early morning hangover look, stumbling around like he's had no sleep and plenty of Martini's.

As soon as the stage starts glowing from the neon strips during the heavy-breathing, super-sensual 'Saturday', everyone is drooling. 'Much Against Everyone's Advice' begins innocently enough, before erupting into a snarly knot of Pixies guitars. The one-chord chunky-punk intro to 'Too Many DJ's' slowly turns into a blister-bursting Beasties groove, complete with human beatbox, while during the Radiohead intense 'Scream', Stephen proves he is capable of heart-splitting passion.

It's true that anyone can play guitar. The real trick is to do it with the precision that Soulwax have perfected. They sparkle. They glitter. They shine."