Akiakane, The Escape, The Ruffcuts.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 1st February 2008.

Over the years, Esquires has righty earned a big reputation in delivering top quality bands to Bedford, not only from the British Isles but also from countries around the World - USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and most of mainland Europe. Tonight another one is ticked off the list with the appearance in Danny's Bar of Japan's all-girl Punk quartet Akiakane. They only flew in yesterday and this evening is the first date of a short tour of Britain before they embark for Europe. They set their merchandise stall up and keep an intent eye on the two support bands.

Firstly THE RUFFCUTS, a pop-punk four piece from Nuneaton. Vocalist Bish has certainly made an effort as he wears quite a debonaire tie. The rest of the band join him in creating quite an infectious sound especially on the song 'Rent-A-Mosh', a quickfire punk blitz than stops very suddenly. 'Stupid Than You' is a fun ditty and includes a tiny dash of Ska in the midde whist 'Lovestruck' is a bouncy number than receives a good response.

Next are local faces THE ESCAPE but tonight to all except their vociferous followers they are merely the prelude to AKIAKANE. Old gnarled cynical skeptics like perhaps myself are instantly drawn to the freshness and excitement emanating from these young ladies who are playing in a place far away from their homes. With jet lag and an obvious language barrier the four punkettes Moe (vocals, guitar) Mika (backing vocals, bass), Maki (backing vocals, guitar) and Yuria (drums) kick off at ten o'clock and for forty minutes exact an eighteen song tirade. Moe does most of the communicating as her English is much better than our Japanese! She encourages everyone to "enjoy the punk rock show" which everybody certainly does. Perhaps even more so when she suddenly announces "Do you like the Sex Pistols?" I must admit watching a female Japanese band covering 'E.M.I.' was slightly surreal. Moe shows true Japanese feelings as knowing the band have made many friends declares that "We will show Samurai spirit" as they encourage everybody to jump up and down. Akiakane are tight, fast and can play. Plus they even put in a "1-2-3-4" for good measure.