Bad Manners, Rebelation, Minimal Damage.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 1st March 2008.

Back in 1980 the world was certainly a different place. The Berlin wall was still intact, America had a former film star as it's president, while Britain was blessed with a woman Prime Minister. Inner city turmoil was occurring, unemployment was soaring, and strikes were the norm. Happy days! Music was also changing. Glam rock had been and gone, while punk and disco had blown themselves out. It was ska that was making a sizeable comeback, although for this reviewer it was 2-tone that spoke my words with its cutting social commentary of the troubled times. When in May of that year, Top of the Pops featured an appearance by a rather large young bald-headed gentleman with a noticeably long tongue singing "Ne-ne, na-na, na-na, nu-nu"! The legend of BAD MANNERS, and especially Doug Trendle aka Buster Bloodvessel was born. Music had it's own pantomime pop star. The spirit of the music hall entertainer lived on!

Although so much has changed in our world, some things never alter, and Buster falls in to that category. It's very much same as, same as. The fans that fork out £15 a ticket to pack out the venue this evening are here to pay their respects and, more importantly, party. Buster is king yet again, although after his health problems of recent years, he is a touch leaner now. As he makes his entrance on to the stage, there is an almighty crowd chorus of "You fat bastard, you fat bastard!". This shout recurs often throughout the set, and of course he's heard it all before, much like the Bad Manners back catalogue!

All the hits from 1980-82 are trundled out, "Special Brew", "My Girl Lollipop", "Lorraine" etc, etc, although I must admit I do have a certain soft spot for "Walking in the Sunshine". The boots, braces and skinhead brigade are having a great time, as their consumption of alcohol matches their thirst for dancing. A lot of these mature folks have probably been unleashed from their Saturday night norm of a four-pack, DVD and a takeaway! Buster and his five-piece backing band also cover a few traditional ska songs such as "Skinhead Love Affair", "Skinhead Girl", and a skanking version of "Wooly Bully". With the evening drawing to a close, the question is will Bad Manners afford us an encore? The answer is a resounding 'yes'. It features "Lip Up Fatty", and to a crescendo of cheers, a truly gutbusting finale of the leg waving "Can-Can". Appropriate, because Buster at 50 years old this September, certainly still can-can!

Strong support came firstly from local ska 'wannabees' MINIMAL DAMAGE, who continue to impress. Tonight they have a chance to play to a much wider range of people who would not know too much about them to date. Healthy nervous tension spurs them to their best set at Esquires. The extra brass section beefs up the already strong portfolio of material, which contributes to a mature performance by such young people.

Visitors REBELATION play soft velvet lovers ska-reggae. The chillin' sounds are a perfect warm-up for Bad Manners. The contrast is perfect, although I felt at times, for a live set, the music rather meandered and the set was probably fifteen minutes too long. However, overall the crowd seemed to enjoy what is a rarely heard sound on level 2.