Bowfinger.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 25th Febuary 2005.

Imagine, for a minute, that Shaun Ryder had been from Elephant & Castle, then somewhere down the line a local band – from Stockwell, perhaps – had formed and called themselves the Inspiral Carpets. They would have sounded like Bowfinger, who are, of course, from Luton, which may explain the fact that on top of the Madchester versus Clash-type sound they craft, there’s also a Thin Lizzy lilt at times. (They were from Ireland, of course, but there’s a lot of Irish people in Luton, so everything works out fine).

They’re here to support Blind Jackson, but the atmosphere was more their-own-party-like as they also came to launch their new AA single, ‘Disagree’ / ‘Get it Together’, which highlight as much as any other songs the rather confused explanation of their sound above. Great slabs of ultra-slick guitar pop, lifted to another level by the always-superb keyboards of relative newcomer to the band, Simon Rinaldo.

The rest of the set is equally slick, as is the band’s look; kind of like Franz Ferdinand but more natural, lifted to another level by the always-superb hair of relative newcomer to the band, Simon Rinaldo.

By the way, go to Bowfinger’s Website and download their cover of ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham – it’s fantastic! And while you’re there, you can download the new single as well and form your own opinion to compliment my insane ramblings!

Review by Steve Norman. www.bedfordesquires.co.uk