Control, The Warriors, Skinnfull, Citizen Keyne, The Black Marias.

Lev 2. Esquires Bedford. 18th October 2010.

It's an old skool punk night and many people here are ready to roll back the years and, with it, celebrate the birthday of their mate Jab who, along with Upbeat Promotions, handpicked the bands tonight. Headlining are CONTROL, a social commentary street band combining all elements of the punk genre. A five piece based in southern England, they are totally spearheaded by vocalist Iain. He is Scottish and his tongue is both cutting and witty. It's almost Billy Connolly without the beard as he jokes "Anybody from Bristol here tonight? I've got a message for you, the taxi rank's next door"!

A top frontman of the first degree, it's a real education for any youngsters watching as he works the audience superbly, ready to bark out another tune. The fist pumping songs start with "Guilty by Association", backed by a hard playing crew and a real foil to their wind up merchant frontman. He even gets away with his throwaway comment that "Bedford is still in the dark ages"! Joking aside, his Scottish charm is working it's magic. He's in overdrive as he bellows out "Rollover". The cheeky comments still come thick and fast. "Are you going to invite us in for the Sunday roast?" he enquires. The main basis for Control is what they call "Hooligan rock n roll". We may have had "Ten years of Chaos", but with "The spirit of Boudicca" to look over us, we have a chance. Even then they declare that "Punk rock ruined my life". What a way to go! But then, Control just "Don't give a fuck". Cheers rang out as they left the stage at thirty minutes past midnight!

Opening are THE BLACK MARIAS, a straight up and down, no nonsense, hard working punk band. Ordinary life is sung about. "Another day, another dollar" is the 8-5 routine. "We love the Silent Treatment" is a tale of a husband's drunken night out with his mates and the reaction he gets from his wife when he gets home! "Mayday at McDonalds" tells of the London riots in 2000. "The Same Old, Same Old" is a proper skinhead composition.

So to CITIZEN KEYNE, what can we say? Probably just oi, oi, oi, oi. It's John's opening salvo and, as usual, it garners the expected response. Citizen Keyne raise the atmosphere and all their songs tell a story. "Punk Not Fashion" is a dig at all the 'plastic punks'. We may be living in hard times and a touch skint, but with a smile on your face, it's a way of "Life"! But it's a let down in this rapidly decaying country. I agree, it truly is "Ungreat Britain". With friends close at hand in this tightly knit punk family, there is always "Unity". The CK army invade the stage and there is only one thing to shout "Stand Proud"!

After creating a good impression on their last appearance here, young punk pretenders SKINFULL carry on where they left off. Naturally, chavvy kids are on the receiving end as the Coventry boys shout out "Smash 'em to the Ground". On a similar thread, "Scum" is all about drug dealers. Showing their colours, this five piece are in good spirits, especially as their sky blue football team has won today. In celebration they triumphantly perform "Hooligans". They also bemoan the state of their beloved nation with "Britain Love it or Leave it?". People, raise your glasses to Skinfull.

With Saxby head of the gang, THE WARRIORS are back in Bedford. Although, of all the bands appearing tonight, I found them to be the most predictable and, dare I say, tiresome. The evening's usual topics are covered again, namely "England" (a current song written by new bassist Andy), and "Drugfeeler, Drugdealer". On a different note, they advise us that Hearne Bay "is not an away day"! For old times sake, "Eight Pounds a Week" and of course, 'the man who sold his soul to The Sun', "Gary Bushell" are given the biggest cheers of their set.