Jon Spencer's blues connection was hard to spot and was more of a whimper than an explosion.

The claim this charismatic New York trio are cleverly deconstructing the blues genre seems far-fetched.

Spencer, with the help of guitarist Judah Bauer and drummer Russell Simins, is more of a rock'n'roll cliche, if you can be that wearing a waistcoat and paisley print.

The group's showmanship, energetic strumming, emaciated rock-star posturing and raw punk edge can't be knocked - but then they have been at it for nearly 15 years.

Tuesday's sweaty set catered for hardcore fans. It dropped more accessible songs and played straight from the band's 1994 Orange album, all in the correct running order.

Encores included Chicken Dog, Burn It Off and Hot Gossip.

When they formed in 1991, Spencer and his gang were praised for leading a modern blues revival. Along with contemporaries '68 Comeback, Workdogs, Bassholes and Railroad Jerk, they were said to have found a new twist for an old form.

Their name suggests their music is rooted in blues, the music of US poverty.

But judging by their latest performance, this is just an empty gimmick. It is understandable why purists have been irritated by their flirtation with the genre.

These rock bimbos just aren't up to the blues, which doesn't have to be Black but has to come from the gut, even in a cynical, postmodern age.

When they flirt with politics, they slip from superficial to just plain annoying.

Spencer's awkward dedication of Hot Gossip, a psuedo protest song against the US government, to hurricane-swept New Orleans had a hollow ring.

His rambling tribute to victims of the London bombings and September 11, 2001, was unconvincing and trite.

Fans raved at the "kinetic energy, tight rhythms and fuzzed-up punk fusion" but the crowd was detached.

True, it was a school night but I expected a bigger buzz.