The Answer, Temple, OverEasy, Track Zero.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2 Friday 31st March 2006.

The current preponderance of guitar based bands in the Top 40 charts has been fuelled in no small measure by bands such as The Darkness whose rip-off of the Queen sound made them, at least in 2004, the right band in the right place. Whether this level of success will befall tonight's headline band THE ANSWER is anyone's guess. The Answer mimic the sights and sounds of late sixties heavy rock - bands like Led Zeppelin, Free and Deep Purple, but with their youthful energy they come across as a modern day equivalent to the Black Crowes.
2005 was a successful year for The Answer as they partnered both The Sound Explosion and The Tokyo Dragons for joint headline tours, as well as a notable support slot to Alter Bridge and a rumbustious Camden gig with fellow Irish compatriots Therapy.
Although not entirely liking the music of The Answer, I readily admit that they gave the crowd everything and more tonight. Infact, they attracted a slightly older crowd to Esquires tonight, who were perhaps reliving their youth a bit!
Frontman Cormac Neeson gave a superlative vocal and visual performance that suggested when he is not on tour with his band he could be perfect as Robert Plant on 'Stars in Your Eyes'. A voice that has such a rich and bluesy soulful sound that you could not help but acknowledge and applaud.
New single 'Into the Gutter' is performed with an all out swagger that gets everyone moving while the full thrust of 'Keep Believing' has a timeless heavy rock quality.
,br> Supporting The Answer were firstly a four piece London group called TEMPLE and they impressed me with their retro Brit-Pop sounds. Unfortunately for a band hoping to make some headway in the business, the lack of travelling support is worrying. Their spaced-out instrumental finale was delicious.

Making a very rapid and welcome return to Esquires were a favourite band of mine, namely Luton's OVEREASY. As always, Breakdown is performed majestically and is once again head and shoulders above the rest of their magnificent set. In fact tonight the boys, who normally fuse a predominately psychedelic rock sound, err towards a very bluesy influenced collection. This is exemplified by the song 'Hoogally Boogally' which has a full on blues sound which Tim's amazing pair of lungs carries off superbly.

TRACK ZERO are a band who fail to impress me every time I see them. They play with effort and passion and are good musicians but this Radiohead / Muse offering leaves me completely flat. However, I was certainly in a minority as the crowd lapped up this Leighton Buzzard five piece. Special credit must go to the keyboard player who as well as his tinkling skills checked in with some impressive backing vocals.