REVIEW OF THE YEAR.

2006.

January

This tends to be one of the quieter months for live gigs. However, on the 19th Paul Craven launched an innovative new bands evening in Danny's Bar. Named 'Showcase Thursday', a 'proving ground' for the band's elevation to Level 2. One such band, Recovery, made their debut a week later and were to become welcome visitors throughout the year. Two gigs of note were firstly the raucous Zico Chain (20th), and the quieter strains of Brighton's The Upper Room (21st), who were to gain national exposure as the year progressed.

________________________________________ February

A busy month peaked with the appearance of current MOR revivalists The Feeling on a cold Wednesday evening (22nd). Bedford saw a band that by the end of 2006 had certainly progressed to the next level - a hit album, top 10 singles and Radio 2's playlist daily. The lovely and evergreen Pauline Black returned on the 17th, with the Selecter to keep ska fans both young and old happy. Her voice was as golden as ever and she obliged all autograph hunters après gig. Boy Kill Boy reappeared ahead of their debut album (26th), whilst a one off 14+ Sunday afternoon show attracts the Esquires generation of the future (5th).

________________________________________ March

The gigs arrive thick and fast with the highlight for some, Bloc Party, showcasing their highly anticipated second album for a fan club only night (10th). However, the appearance of The Automatic manages to top even that night, with the last song Monster becoming the single of the summer, and the sight of keyboardist Pennie manically running around the room at the end of the night is hilarious. Two old school rock bands appear with growing reputations, Rattlesnake Remedy (17th) and from Northern Ireland The Answer (31st). Meanwhile, international stars hit the venue. Americans Bullets To Broadway appear on the (30th) and Finnish rockers Flylow put the stadium rock into Danny's Bar on a showcase night. Welsh indie band Hot Puppies inject some glamour into the proceeding whilst supporting The Crimea (18th).

________________________________________ April

April Fools Day has Scottish metallers Mendeed headlining an evening that lives long in the memory. With Hexz impressing and 2005 Battle of the Bands winners Blackout bowing out in an awesome evening. Enter Shikari's growing fanbase are sated on the 21st, and ex Shed 7 front man and legendary Britpopper Rick Witter brought along his Dukes on the 26th. While a Zane-less Breaks Co-Op offer something a little different on the 29th, Whiskas and iForward Russia! pull the crowds in on a Bank Holiday Monday, and NME exposure follows Newport Pagnell youngsters Trailing Laces. At long last, Esquires greets ska punkers Jesse James on the 14th, and a late finish past midnight is the result of a visit from Devil Sold His Soul (7th).

________________________________________ May

The spring bank holiday Sunday gig (28th) features a headline slot from Portion, and everyone needs the bank holiday Monday to recover. The legend that is Glenn Tilbrook (20th) brings all the Squeeze songs to an acoustic platform, while Leeds indie band iLiKETRAiNs prove that quiet is the new loud on the 8th. The Sid Worth Memorial Fund Gig on the 13th is blown away by Joan of Arc, a three piece female band.

________________________________________ June

Rick Butler, legendary drummer with the Jam, brings his semi-tribute band 'The Gift' here on the 24th, but his ticket prices certainly doesn't offer value for money! Personal favourites The Suffrajets return for some more 'gurl-punk' on the 8th, while the hugely un-erotic Soho Dolls rely on the gaffa tape on the 14th. Aussie rockers The Scare drop in from their current tour on the 16th, and ex L7 vocalist Jennifer Finch is The Shocker on the 23rd. Iron Maiden star Steve Harris keeps an eye on his daughter Lauren on the 6-6-6 gig (apparently declaring on entering the room, 'Fucking hell, it's loud in 'ere!'). Next day, Mendeed perform a Download warm up which is notable mainly for the disappointing attendance.

________________________________________ July

The holiday season arrives and another legendary sticksman is in the building. Blur's Dave Rowntree is playing with his new band, The Ailerons, whilst current NME fave Ali Love is a better option on a poorly attended show. Gig of the month is without a doubt the Rifles (6th), who perform their forthcoming album, live, in it's entirety. Other highlights are punks 'The Freaks Union' and Kerrang favourites 'Part Chimp' on the 15th.

________________________________________ August

Scottish indie rockers The View appear on the 9th, very much down to the foresight of Milky and the Roar Club. It's packed and the band return later in the year. Two days later Bowfinger entertain an appreciative crowd, supported by Sunday sessions regulars Full Circle.

________________________________________ September

A bigger, bolder, brasher Cravenfest highlights this month (16th). Nearly 30 musical acts spread over the three venues of Esquires, for nine hours. It's exhausting and exhilarating! If you didn't have a ticket, you weren't coming in! Iain Archer, lately of Snow Patrol, marked the last Hairgel gig whilst indie stars Bromhead's Jacket give us a Streets flavoured set on the 14th and rock legends Nick Simper (ex Deep Purple) and Richard Hudson (ex Strawbs) are part of The Good ol' Boys, a Sid Worth Memorial Fund gig on the 30th.

________________________________________ October

A varied month as on Level 2 local celebrities The Quireboys rock the venue and drink the bar dry! The View are back, and on fire on the 12th, while Shefford youngsters Look See Proof namedrop Esquires on Radio 1 during a session for Steve Lamacq and then upstage The Heights on the 7th. Teen film star turned pop goth queen Betty Curse comes to town, co-incidentally on the same night that she appears on the BBC programme The Slammer.

________________________________________ November

The larger than life Eddie Argos puts his frame on the stage along with the rest of Art Brut on the 7th, The Roar Club also bring us Tiny Dancers, young tykes who play with a Californian edge (10th). One For The Underground thunders back with Interlock (17th), and Sacred Mother Tongue (24th). A pre-firework night bang occurs with the appearance of Northampton's The On-Offs on the 4th.

________________________________________ December

Just when most live music venues are winding down for the Christmas holidays, Esquires launches into overdrive! Sell out signs become a regular occurrence, as the gigs come thick and fast. With tickets exchanging hands on e-bay for £40 each beforehand, new rave darlings Klaxons arrive complete with glowsticks on the 15th. The popularity of Hertfordshire trancecore metallers Enter Shikari exploded during 2006, and they return on the 22nd to a rammed venue! The older clientele are catered for with an acoustic Levellers (aka Drunk In Public) gig on the 13th, and punk veterans The Vibrators liven up a Sunday evening on the 17th. Other gigs of note are the last ever (?) Funyamum gig on the 23rd, and Bowfinger's excellent Beatles Night on the 30th whilst the Christmas One For The Underground party features Henry and the Bleeders headlining on the 21st.

Favourite Album ~ Flight of the Raven - Winnebago Deal Favourite Single ~ She Moves in her Own Way - The Kooks Favourite Esquires Gig ~ Tarantism Hot Tip for 2007 ~ Look See Proof and Hexz

________________________________________ The Best of 2006



Pete Burridge - Superstar DJ Favourite Album ~ No Love Lost - The Rifles Favourite Single ~ Henrietta - The Fratellis Favourite Esquires Gig ~ The Rifles Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Howling Bells @ The Angel Hot Tip for 2007 ~ Look See Proof



Paul Craven - Metal Promoter Extraordinaire Favourite Album ~ Supremacy - Hatebreed Favourite Single ~ In Regards to Myself - Underoath Favourite Esquires Gig ~ Mendeed, Enter Shikari (twice!) and Cravenfest Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Sounds of the Underground @ The Forum Hot Tip for 2007 ~ The King Blues



Milky - The Roar Club Favourite Album ~ Left - Hope of the States Bit of a poor crop of albums this year, very few really stood out as anywhere near approaching 'masterpiece' status. The sophomore effort from 'Hope of The States' was one long player that did blow me away and I've consistently returned to it throughout the year. Funny really, as i couldn't stand their debut record or Sam's (at times) poor vocal efforts. The sound, scope and vastness of this album won me over, there's heart and soul mixed with rock and roll. And now they go and split up!!!

Favourite Single ~ Supermassive Black Hole - Muse Explodes from the stereo/club in a frenzy of sex, violence and galaxy conquering awesomeness.

Favourite Esquires Gig ~ Art Brut Well, I've certainly been to a few this year. I'd have to pick out the ART BRUT show in November, ok it was one of my 'ROAR CLUB' gigs but this was a truly special night. The interaction and antics of Mr Argos, the pure thrill of hearing "Art Brut - Top of The Pops" repeatedly barked out and the wish for the gig to never end (well, ok - maybe another 20mins would've sated me). Little known titbits from the night - their tour bus was huge and had just been returned by Embrace + Some horrible little sods tried to break into said bus but were foiled and chased away.

Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Razorlight at The Angel Again I'm gonna have to pick a 'ROAR' night. Razorlight in January at the Angel. (Did i get out of Bedford this year?) The expectation, build-up and constant 'will they - won't they' question all added to the moment. Mr Borrell is known to change his mind on a whim but luckily he was on good form. Sarah Cawood was in the audience, the crowd were crammed in and we got treated to an amazing show. I, like many others, am not a Razorlight fan but they really blew my socks off with this performance. Titbit - i saw Sarah Cawood about 6 weeks ago and she mentioned how she couldn't see a thing all night (she's only little!), Andy Burrows (drummer) also told me to wish all ROAR people "HAPPY XMAS".

Hot Tips for 2007 ~ Hmmm, i'm gonna plump for several and hope one comes off - Jack Penate, The Alones, Cajun Dance Party, Switches, Late of The Pier and Fear of Fying. To go to the next size up i'd say The View (gawd bless 'em).



Kev Bailey - DJ (The Pad) / The Roar Club Co-Promoter Favourite Album ~ Alright Still - Lily Allen / The Information - Beck Gonna submit two here, bit obvious with the first one, Lily Allen, but it's still a classic pop album that in time we will hate due to over exposure but it shows great songs can still win people over. Another fave is the The information by Beck, a real return to form that looks like it will be criminally overlooked.

Favourite Single ~ Listen Up - The Gossip Stunning voice and great single in both the original and mstrkft mixes, good to see the band breaking out big at last.

Favourite Esquires Gig ~ Art Brut Formed a band, we formed a band!, Art brut finally make it to Bedford a year late and blew all away with a true classic gig.

Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Jamie T @ The Angel The obvious choice should be Razorlight but I'm gonna go with Jamie T, virtually unknown @ the time (apart from The Roar Crew) the man played an acoustic set on his acoustic bass guitar in front of around 25 people! Those punters lucky enough to have had a pre-show drink at The Flowerpot Pub may also have caught Jamie T on the Karaoke machine singing Free's alright now - so two Bedford gigs in one night (almost!) On a national level it has to be getting taken by suprise at how good the Pet Shop boys were @ the Electric Picnic festival in Ireland.

Hot Tip for 2007 ~ The rock and roll of Jack Penate, the new look Little Barrie, Brazillian faves C.S.S. will move up a league or two and finally Just Jack should fill a slot somewhere between Mike Skinner and Lily Allen, all doing something interesting.



Steve Norman - DJ / Website Contributor / Gothic Rock God Favourite Album ~ Dead Pool Rising - NFD It's the Fields of the Nephilim album I've been waiting decades for!

Favourite Single ~ The Ballad of Benjamin Breeg - Iron Maiden Simply musical perfection and long enough for a DJ who's had 8 pints to take a well deserved slash while it's playing!

Favourite Esquires Gig ~ The Soho Dolls Aside from any time Hekz played, The Sohodolls had everything I could possibly want from a gig - a sound fusing Gary Numan & Gary Glitter... and tits!

Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Slayer @ The Reading Festival The "indie for beginners" crowd simply didn't understand what was hitting them (i.e. music with some energy) which was a joy to behold!

Hot Tip for 2007 ~ Tiny Dancers Just because there's been no glamorous insanity of their kind since the 80's and it's about time it came back!

2006 in Steve's Eyes: As Radio One spoon-fed insipid indie and American so-called punk to the rest of the country, over the last year at Esquires we've been blessed by an almost non-stop combination of rocking old favourites, established and up-and-coming touring bands and probably the most exciting roster of local bands since my own glory days of the 90's! Nothing pleased me more this year than seeing the place bursting at the seams for Bloc Party, Boy Kill Boy, Klaxons and the unforgettable night The Quireboys came home; seeing the likes of The Answer, The Feeling, Betty Curse, The On Offs and The Rifles passing through on their way to big things; and seeing The Delinquents, The Smoking Hearts, His & Herpes, Scratchplate, BLB (RIP), Hekz, Henry & The Bleeders, The Swamis, Wolflaw et al putting some serious life back into the local scene. And my wish for 2007? That our great crowd keep supporting everything that Paul, Pete and Milky are doing to bring us the best in new and alternative music so next Christmas we have the next Enter Shikari coming back to play for us... and stop leaving before the bloody headline band comes on!!!



Suzy Cook - Website Photographer Favourite Album ~ Costello Music - The Fratellis For obvious reasons! These guys are great all rounders and the album cheers me up no end. Wolfmother comes a close close CLOSE second, I picked Fratellis because I've had the album longer I suppose!

Favourite Single ~ The Great Escape - We Are Scientists This stuck in my head from the moment I heard it, have seen WES twice now at festivals, they are just awesome live, got me singing manically along and this track never ceases to make me smile and remember the summer.

Favourite Esquires Gig ~ Tarantism & New Groove Formation What a night! It was Gary's 40th birthday and there was a great crowd in. New groove formation got me in the mood for dancing, as always, and just when I thought it couldnt get any better, Tarantism hit the stage with this weird ska celtic madness, their front lady an inspiration with her vocals and humour. Those guys nearly killed me. I've never danced so much in my whole life. The Bloc Party gig was pretty immense too.

Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Bowfinger @ The Angel Bowfinger really came into their own in this intimate atmosphere. Everyone was dancing and in good spirits, I took some really hot pictures and Bowfinger fed from the crowds enthusiasm and worked us hard! Sweaty and Energetic. Just the way I like it. This was also the night I made myself known to them, the start of a lovely friendship...aaaaaah! Also Foo Fighters at Hyde Park - Legendary day for me. Juliette & The Licks, QOTSA, Motorhead and the Foos on the same stage. All sets were spot on, the sun was shining, the phone video clips were worthy of email forwards and I met some amazing people & had the best time.

Hot Tip for 2007 ~ Bowfinger Of course, I'll say Bowfinger, seeing as their my favourite local band and I manage them now! Yes! Bowfinger Bowfinger Bowfinger.... Look out for the Finger lads...this time next year Rodders, we'll be millionaires!!! As for other upcoming talents, mainstream and local, I would heartily recommend trusting in the Esquires' promoters to bring you the hottest latest bands. It's their job.I just photograph them, have a great time & get drunk! (not necessarily in that order either.........laaalaa)



Rick & Simone - Website Geeks Favourite Album ~ The Warning - Hot Chip / Table for One - Darren Hayman Favourite Single ~ We Are Your Friends - Justice vs Simian / Young Folk - Peter Bjorn and John Favourite Esquires Gig ~ Art Brut! Favourite Non-Esquires Gig ~ Giant Drag / Teenage Fanclub performing Bandwagonesque @ The Forum Hot Tips for 2007 ~ The Twang, Friendly Fires / Pull Tiger Tail, I'm from Barcelona, Good Shoes.