2005 - Review of the Year - By Martin Stapleton.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2 6th July 2006.

January

A quiet start to 2005 was broken late on the 29th as the gig of the month and certainly the most liveliest of the year was the appearance of Britain’s newest, most ‘aggro’ punk band Towers of London. They arrived in Esquires just two weeks before their notorious gig in Cambridge (where the lead singer was later charged on two counts of criminal damage). Their set here was one of the most exciting I have seen in a long time and for me it was 1977 all over again. The sight of the guitarist sprinting along the top of the bar still lives in my mind. Towers of London continued in 2005 to provide the press with pages of news – both good and bad!

The first international band to hit Esquires (and there were to be many) came on the 21st as Gibraltar born Breed 77 brought their tex-mex-funk-metal to the stage.

On a very sad note, the 24th brought the news of the death of Keith Lawson who was a true friend and character to everyone who attended gigs on Level 2. Keith is very much missed on Esquires gig nights.

________________________________________ February

Four working class lads from Liverpool arrived in Bedford on the 5th, namely the Black Velvets who had a few months earlier opened for The Who at London Forum. February also marked the Esquires debut of Milton Keynes metallers ‘Fell Silent’ who were to provide such great music during the year.

________________________________________ March

The highlight of this month was the long awaited and welcome return of Cambridge agit-rockers Miss Black America, who play here trying to re-establish themselves on the music scene.

The Battle of the Bands competition still continues with mentions to Fifth Quarter for their young playing of the Blues, plus Acosta and Drive Like Casey.

________________________________________ April

Witnessing such a true music legend on the Esquires stage is indeed a rare treat and on the 9th, founder member of the Clash and BAD, the one and only Mick Jones appeared alongside ex Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik bassist Tony James with their new band, Carbon/Silicone. The gig however was a bit like a child, waiting for Christmas day only to discover that it’s been cancelled. The between songs chat was witty and there was great crowd banter, but the music for me was deadly dull and boring.



On the 30th, the grand final of the Battle of the Bands competition was held. A magnificent final was deservedly won by Bedford post-hardcore band Blackout, with top credit to the other bands – Henry and the Bleeders, Fell Silent and Summerfall. In a final of such high standards, all four bands were to have a great year.

________________________________________ May

May Day Sunday brings the Day of Wreckoning to our venue for the first time. However, this nine band festival of live music is poorly attended, in no small part owing to the blazing hot sunshine outside.

Critically acclaimed, The Tokyo Dragons returned on the 7th for another great evening.

Post-hardcore London four piece Million Dead perform the gig of the month. It comes as no surprise that they were nominated for a Kerrang Award in 2004. They are on their Harmony No Harmony tour. Engerica offered great support on a great night.

Local youngsters Bent Like Bob play a great little evening on the 20th, a precursor to their album launch in June.

________________________________________ June

If you like your music on the loud and heavy side, then June was the month for you. Touring on the back of their debut album ‘The Western Mechanism’, Days of Worth shook the venue on the 4th. This was quickly followed by Dutch hardcore giants Born from Pain on the 25th, who’s pummelling aggression on a summers evening lives long in the memory.

Old School punk legends The Anti-Nowhere League celebrated their 25th anniversary tour at Esquires on the 11th. Ably supported by Bedford’s legendary Tendons who have been playing nearly, but not quite, as long!

________________________________________ July

With the holiday season underway, this was a quiet month for gigs. However, on the 30th, Birmingham four piece Editors visited Esquires, playing prior to their appearances at Reading and Leeds. With national airplay, an impressive debut album, The Back Room, these Killers influenced doom merchants play to a packed house and further enhance their growing reputation.

Swindon lads The Return make their debut here on the 29th, and the progress is upwards during the rest of the year.

Hairgel hold their first ever gig on the 15th, with Essex five piece Absent Kid headlining.

________________________________________ August

INME get the month off to an explosive start with a sell out gig on the 5th, and were astonishingly good. From a personal vein in was Glaswegian band Mendeed’s appearance that topped everything this month. Their visit came on the back of supporting Cradle of Filth and their monstrous metallic force makes for a top night. Disappointingly many of the crowd left before their appearance (a habit that thankfully happened less and less as the year progressed).



Retro Manchester grunge rockers Nine Black Alps put on a blistering show on the 13th. They were superbly supported by Darlington girl band We Start Fires. This follows on from Download Festival favourites Send More Paramedics, whose zombie set gives reason to why they are so beloved of Kerrang magazine.

NME hopefuls White Rose movement play on the 19th, giving us a heady mix of Disco-Punk-Metal which turns into a gem of an evening.

________________________________________ September

Oh yes, the Gig of the Year; the appearance of the Subways, the darlings of the Indie scene. They put on a marvellous show that will live long in the memory of those lucky enough to have obtained a ticket. The three piece Hertfordshire band have had such a great year with such high praise in the music press – all credit to Hairgel who put on a great evening.

The other highlight of the month was the first Cravenfest. Held in honour of the 40th birthday of Paul Craven, this eleven band, seven hour, musical extravaganza featured a whole host of alternative young and old bands. This is an event that Esquires has been crying out for, for such a long time. It was such an enjoyable day, and hopefully one which will be repeated.

Other notable gigs this month saw Mancunian rockers No Hope In New Jersey and a storming set from My Awesome Compilation.

________________________________________ October

A packed agenda for the month hits a peak with a top line up of international bands who descend on Level 2 for the Monster Mosh Down Tour. Featuring an array of talent from Hungary, Sweden, Germany and Israel, the common denominator of a top quality night of heavy sounds is true professionalism from each band.

For a contrast, ex Busted boy band member Charlie visited us on a Sunday evening with his new Post Hardcore project Fightstar. A packed venue gave their seal of approval, coincidentally three weeks after his older brother’s band Brigade had appeared.

Sick on the Bus headlined a punk evening as only they can on the 29th, Howard’s Alias said their fond farewells on the 6th and The Glitterati returned for their Back In the Power Tour on the 8th.

________________________________________ November

A busy month saw Australian chainsaw buzz-rockers Vanlusterbader kick the month off in grand style. In similar vein, all Essex girl band the Suffrajets are hoping to resurrect their career as they arrive to rapturous acclaim. A band potionally on the fringe of great things are Boy Kill Boy, who played on the 12th, and are due back in early 2006.

Firework night is celebrated in Esquires style with a fine set by young Leighton Buzzard band Sirenide.

Bent Like Bob return to headline a sold out show on the 11th.

________________________________________ December

Christmas party shows dominated the end of 2005, as St Albans four piece Enter Shikari continue their encouraging progress and are backed by a host of terrific young bands – among others Summerfall and Fell Silent. The following night saw Leicestershire hopefuls My Awesome Compilation make a return. Support comes from Portion and The Tease plus others. The 9th sees the return of a sadly missed band of nearly two years, who make a winning return, namely Sphere. A mention must be made of the appearance on the 10th of Australian Bluegrass legends Hayseed Dixie, whose distinctive mix of contemporary rock covers gives a more mature audience an enjoyable night.



So there you have it, a personal review of a very exciting year of live music here at Level 2 Esquires. With many thanks to the bands, promoters, sound and lighting engineers, and above all to the fans who have supported the gigs this year, we look forward to seeing you all again in 2006!

________________________________________ The Best of 2005
Pete Burridge - Superstar DJ
Favourite Album ~ Employment - Kaiser Chiefs Favourite Single ~ Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies) Favourite Esquires Gig ~ The Subways Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Ocean at The Ship Hot Tip for 2006 ~ The Automatic & The Feeling

Paul Craven - Metal Promoter Extraordinaire
Favourite Album ~ Legacy - Madball Favourite Single ~ System of a Down - BYOB Favourite Esquires Gig ~ The Subways, The Roadrunner Tour and both Cravenfests! Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Download Festival and Bedford Metal's Battle of the Bands Hot Tip for 2006 ~ Any of our Brilliant Local Bands

Don Palmacci - Red Dollar / Hairbrush Records
Favourite Album ~ X & Y - Coldplay Favourite Single ~ Stars - Ageless Beauty Favourite Esquires Gig ~ The Subways Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ U2 at Cardiff Hot Tip for 2006 ~ Trader Vegas

Steve Norman - Gothic Rock God / Website Contributor
Favourite Album ~ Mourning Sun - Fields of the Nephilim Favourite Single ~ Towers of London - How Rude She Was Favourite Esquires Gig ~ Towers of London Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ My Chemical Romance Hot Tip for 2006 ~ Test Icicles

Rick & Simone - Website Geeks
Favourite Album ~ Arcade Fire - Funeral / Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - CYHSY Favourite Single ~ Apply Some Pressure - Maximo Park / The Great Escape - We are Scientists Favourite Esquires Gig ~ Editors / S*M*A*S*H* Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Beck & Belle and Sebastian - Coney Island, NY / Brian Wilson @ Glastonbury Hot Tip for 2006 ~ We are Scientists / Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.