The Brew,Horseman Shakes and the Draymen, The Dead Actors.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 9th August 2008.

Silver Promotions tonight present, firstly, THE DEAD ACTORS. A St Neots band whose indie punk sounds are a real uptempo start to the evening. They may be a little bit different to our other two bands, but the crowd immediately warm to them. "Give me your Love" is a song that equates to everyone, basically love us or leave us. Tonight falls to the former.

HORSEMAN SHAKES AND THE DRAYMEN, despite the laughable name, are without question my favourite band of the evening. What a combination of sounds these five young local lads produced. Led by vocalist Alex (formerly of Sandy's View circa 2002), he starts by telling everyone to raise their glasses and be happy. This confident frontman knows he is amongst friends as he brashly announces about their blues-rock sound "If it's too heavy there is only one way out. The door". Wow! Blunt and to the point, but very true. It's an early show of strength. As the set develops, it's evident to see that The Horsemen are on a heady blues trip, and to the uneducated neutrals (like myself), Alex may sound at times like the 'neanderthal from Nickelback'! But it's tons better. Remarkably, this is the band's first proper gig and the 'Hawkwindesque' final song racks up the bonus points gleaned from an enjoyable set.

THE BREW hail from Grimsby, only (I think) famous for the fish, and on this disappointing performance it looks like it will stay that way! Midset, a lot of the audience vote with their feet as they make their exit. I have to agree, unfortunately, with their actions. After the magnificent efforts of our last band, this motley trio are more akin to a blues rock version of Mystery Jets (circa 2006), featuring two teenagers plus one of the lads' dad! Tonight forms a part of their extensive tour which, as the year unfolds, takes in Holland and Belgium. For this reviewer, the yawns overtake the applause. There is tedious overplugging for their current album "The joker". It's also a shame that they make such banal remarks about the American president. Although the young guitarist does demonstrate his undoubted ability by playing it like a cello, it seems to be more for effect and a bit of showing off. The same goes for the needless over the top drum solo. The end cannot come soon enough. But hey, Mr Silver, please bring back Horseman and the gang because, as a mate of mine would say, they were lush.