The Datsuns Get Led Zep Bassist To Help With New Album

Last year New Zealand rock band The Datsuns were one of the most hyped acts on the NME landscape — so hyped, in fact, that Montreal's The Datsons had to change their name to The Datson Four and then The High Dials.

Now The Datsuns are going to see if the hype has survived the band's between-album hiatus. The band will get some extra help from Led Zeppelin bass player John Paul Jones, who has signed on to produce the album.

According to an interview with RollingStone.com, Jones is currently working with the band at a studio in Surrey, England. The news isn't too shocking — Jones has busied himself with much studio work since Led Zeppelin disbanded over 20 years ago. The band apparently want Jones to play on the record as well, but it's not yet known if the legendary musician will step from behind the soundboard.

Jones apparently hooked up with The Datsuns after checking out one of their shows in London. Much like when Phil Spector fell in love with Starsailor, Jones dug what he saw and contacted the band and went to New Zealand to check out their new material.

According to the band's label, V2, The Datsuns' sophomore album is due out at the end of June, but seeing as the band are still in the studio, that date is tentative. The band have recorded 14 songs which, according to RollingStone.com, are about "relationships, being on the road and women."