The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, The Beautiful Sleazy, The Murder Act.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 30th April 2010.

From a personal point of view, one of the most exciting and thrilling gigs of the last decade here at Esquires undoubtedly occurred on 16th November 2002. Brighton's, then relatively unknown, gothabilly punks THE EIGHTIES MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER arrived in town. With their debut album "Horse of the Dog" shortly to hit the streets to massive critical acclaim, the scene was set for them to make sizeable waves on the alternative music Richter scale. This was followed by a second album "Royal Society" a couple of years later. However, the resulting years, despite numerous singles being released, have proved to be disappointing. Their reputation has still thrived, thanks to their frenetic live shows. Line-up changes have also taken their toll. 2010 sees them setting out to recapture that early spark, with the forthcoming release of third album "Blood and Fire". The focus here is on the level 2 stage as we form an early part of the Spring tour to promote it. Although tonight is, surprisingly, not totally sold out, it is a big turn out and the venue is buzzing. This is something that has been sorely lacking for the last year or two. It's great to welcome a big touring band here.

The audience rock and bounce and let out a deafening roar as frontman Guy McKnight leads the band on to the stage. So far, so good, but as the show develops it becomes acutely apparent that there is a huge spark missing from the band's live performance. They play a huge chunk of material from the upcoming album, but it is the older songs that earn the biggest cheers, especially "Psychosis Safari". Guy says very little, just the occasional "Is everybody alright?". Usually manic, tonight he doesn't leave the stage and is certainly not "Mr Mental"! He seems tired, bored or disinterested, perhaps a combination of the three? At least big haired guitarist 'Sideshow Bob' seemed to be enjoying himself. In fact, the band played a very intense London show last night and a lot of their unpredictable energy has probably been left there! The voice though, is still unmistakeable. Tungsten tough, the weather worn baritone croon carries the band along and the crowd cheers with it, especially with their favourite tune "Celebrate your Mother". As The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster left the stage to loud shouts of approval, the inevitable calls for an encore fall on deaf ears as the band disappear for good. Perhaps tonight was just a bad day at the office, but throughout the fifty minute set it did seem to me that they were relying more on convention than innovation.

THE BEAUTIFUL SLEAZY were certainly my favourite band of the evening. They possessed such a raw and rough energy and were a fine example of rock 'n' roll stripped bare of all pretensions. They played for fun and the hell of it. Their lanky, spindly vocalist is the main focal point, but the rest of the band powered out some great anthems, especially "Scallywags", "Wicked Lady" and, above all, "Alcohol". A fresh raunchy ride with the true embodiment of a thoroughly 'sweatfest' band!

THE MURDER ACT appear to be a faux gothy art-rock band who I found very tedious and predictable throughout. We witnessed the thoroughly contrived angst of these tortured souls. Oh, when I grow up I want to be Robert Smith, he's so cool!