SINCE storming onto the New Zealand rock scene a year ago The Mint Chicks have followed The White Stripes around Australia and released their debut single on Jack White's Third Man and NZ's Flying Nun labels.

Now they're touring the US and UK on the back of their debut EP, Octagon Octagon Octagon, calling at Barfly, Cardiff on Sunday, February 29.

The band drove the EP to top the NZ indie charts last year with endless gigging (sometimes three a night) and their critical reception and their live shows in the UK are likely to do the same.

Mint Chicks' gigs can be messy affairs with frontman Kody Nielson somersaulting backwards off the drum-kit.

The band's tsunami like performance is reminiscent of At The Drive In and International Noise Conspiracy, i.e there's lots of leaping around. Their music mixes punk and noise with calmer, more musical interludes creating a dazzling din to rival the retro-rock of the likes of The Sights and The Zutons.

The sudden charges of Fugazi and the turgid wallowing of Jesus Lizard are their backbone but in place of the dissonance that fleshed out those bands are warped Hank Marvin guitars and flashes of clever production.

Their gig in Cardiff is the only show they're doing outside London. Dial 029 2066 7658 for more info.