With four albums under their belts, Kiwi band The Datsuns have made a name for themselves in Europe. Having just walked offstage to a sweaty club crowd in Munich, the guys talk to FL about touring, European life and their new album Headstunts.

When asked how he felt about leaving their native fans, singer Dolf de Borst replies, “We don’t buy into all that shit about ditching our country. I mean there were fuck all people getting into what we were doing back in NZ.”

Leaving for London in the early 2000s, the band grabbed the attention of one of the UK’s most notorious and respected musical gurus, BBC radio’s John Peel. “That was pretty gratifying to have someone as influential and in the know as JP being into our music!” It was at this point that the band started receiving some more attention in their homeland. “As soon as we had some of that success overseas we noticed more and more people turning up to our shows and buying our records – so they put their money where their mouths were!” he jokes.

Even though the band has had such a successful stint in Europe, they’re still very much connected to what’s going on in NZ. “I mean, most of us – except for our drummer Ben who still lives there – try and get back there a couple of times a year. Yeah, sure, sometimes it’s for funerals, but there’s the odd wedding too.”

De Borst jokes about what European life has been like over the past couple of years. “In answer to your earlier question, about those who think that a band can survive without leaving their country – c’mon, I mean who wants to do that?! We’re a touring band, what are we going to do sit on our arses? Fuck that!” he cackles.

Like so many during their 20s, the band has trekked all across Europe, but instead of with backpacks, it has been with a multitude of instruments and tour gear. Having phoned the band on their way to Stuttgart, road noise and bad reception are strong reminders that this band has little time to spare.

With a reputation for some pretty energetic shows, I ask de Borst how it’s going backing up night after night. “It’s what we do; you just get into the rhythm of it. By the point we’ve spent all that time travelling and preparing in the lead up to the gig, we’re ready to release all that pent up energy – I mean the days we’ve had off so far have actually been really boring,” he says.

Many feel that Headstunts shows a different side to The Datsuns. With new drummer Ben Cole on board, the band has taken this album as an opportunity to try different things – a clean slate to work from. “We’re finding it really different from song to song, y’know? The songs are coming about differently each time we write – it just makes it interesting and fresh,” says de Borst.

The frontman elaborates on the writing process behind the album, during which they based themselves in a rural area of Germany. “We were in this little place near Munster in the West of Germany, it worked really well – it was such a relaxed place.” After that stretch of communal living, the band migrated to Sweden to record the album at their friend’s studio in Gothenburg. “I don’t know if you’ve heard of the Swedish band TSOOL? Well, Kalle is the bass player, and he has this really cool studio with all this old equipment in it. We just fiddled around and jammed on all these old Rhodes, Moogs, Hammonds – you name it!”

There were several motivations for the band to record Headstunts in Gothenburg. “Firstly we’ve always had this affinity with Swedish bands – me living there made it an obvious choice too. [Swedes] seem to have a really good pop aesthetic in everything they do, even in the heavy stuff. They seem really particular about the song writing process. I don’t think we’re as cerebral about it as they all seem to be; it really works for them.”

So how do Aussie and Kiwi crowds rate against their European counterparts? “I think they’re pretty similar,” de Borst answers. “I mean it’s pretty easy to just tap into that mob mentality at festivals and everyone really gets into it!”

The Datsuns play the following shows in December.

Thurs 11 – The Zoo, Brisbane
Fri 12 – Manning Bar, Sydney University
Sat 13 – Meredith Music Festival
Sun 14 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne