IN the bowels of Manchester's subterranean alternative paradise, the Roadhouse, Dum Dum Girls showcase their mastery of the three minute, fat free pop song.

The Newton Street venue is the kind of venue that rock 'n' roll was made for, about 200 people tightly packed into a tiny room, including Bolton's very own Maxine Peake, with the whites of the Dum Dum Girls' eyes in plain sight.

And although the Los Angeles five-piece — formed in 2008 and named after an Iggy Pop song —are a long way from home, they are the type of band that are made for such an intimate setting.

They call into Manchester on the back of releasing their third full length effort, Too True, which marks the transformation from rough around the edges rockabilly to reverb soaked pop perfection.

The group is probably best known for the inclusion of their track It Only Takes One Night in the soundtrack to football video game FIFA 11, but there is much more to delve into when you scratch beyond the surface.

Led by Kristin Welchez, who goes by the stage name Dee Dee Penny, the group tear through a near 75 minute set largely taken from their most recent effort, but also drawing on their rawer two previous albums and EPs.

On stage pleasantries are kept to a minimum, which reflects their musical outlook.

Cut out the drum solos, kick out the jams, and create three minutes of pop music which is easy on the ears, full of sumptuous melodies and raging guitars.

It is not pop music that will get them on the radio anytime soon, but has seen the all girl band, save for a male guitarist, become darlings of the indie scene.

Girl power is a theme of the night, as one of Manchester's emerging talents, PINS, deliver a hometown slot to rival that of the headline act. Brimming with attitude and reverb drenched guitars, they have the tunes to back up the hype.

Having released their debut album last year and continuing on tour with the LA quintet in Europe, their star will only continue to rise on the back of such storming support sets, with their single Luv U 4 Lyf a standout moment.

Somewhat suitably bowing out from their encore with their track Coming Down, Dum Dum Girls could teach a lot of bands a thing or two about songwriting.

A tightly packed three minute song which leaves you wanting more is far better than a seven minute odyssey, leaving you reaching for the earplugs.