New Town Kings, Cracked Actors, Liam Vernon, Playing Away.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 18th April 2008.

Upbeat Promotions served up some ska this evening, with two bands especially catching the eye. Firstly, and travelling all the way from Birmingham, are CRACKED ACTORS. Forming in 1999, they had the sole intention of entertaining their mates. Now, nearly ten years later, they have certainly made some new friends here in Bedford. Consisting of Fudge (vocals), Kez (vocals), Johnny 2 Bad (lead guitar), Richie (rhythm guitar), Paddy ( bass), Malx (sax), Tall Tim (keyboard), and Tim Bali (drums), they play with the influences of Marley, Steel Pulse and The Clash. This is a band I enjoy enormously. It's a feeling I sense immediately as first song "Captive" gets to the gist of Cracked Actors' thoughts and feelings; "I am a captive and I want to be free".

The words are sung with the utmost passion but encased is a loose ska rhythm. "Red Ray's" opening could not have been more different, as it opens to a spanish flamenco style, which brings about some spontaneous dancing amongst a decent sized turnout. The band's vocal duo 'bounce off' each other superbly, one of the Actors even wears a majestic top hat which suits him magnificently. On their next song "H.M.P.", Tall Tim (the hippy looking keyboardist) takes on the vocals, which brings about some ribald banter from the rest of the band. All smiles, the stage is awash with a team of musicians totally at ease with themselves. It had been a difficult drive down but even their new guitarist, who claims he was born in Bedford. is happy to be here. "Skapache" is a Cracked Actors variation of the old Shadows hit of the sixties, while the lush reggae strains of "Hypocrisy" is a favourite of mine. The thirteen song set offers plenty of contrast with "Buzz to Buzz", fast and dancey, while "Naked" is enhanced by the sound of Malx on the sax. The punkish "Modern World" is a slight let-down, but thankfully "Flowers" soon puts the bloom back into the Cracked Actors' musical garden! A rich, raw, ska-reggae beat booms out and is soon reprised with "Come around" which closes the set. "More!" was my shout!

Headliners NEW TOWN KINGS, who also number many in their ranks, are a 2 Tone ska retro band. They greet us with the cheery request of "Hope you've got your dancing feet on". Luckily, some young ska followers have still got plenty of energy to take up the challenge. A few older folks take a swig of beer to crank up their ageing limbs! Although New Town Kings are good at what they do, I feel a slight drop in attention after 'the Birmingham boys'. The skankin audience are in fine fettle as the jaunty "Take Hold of Me" and "Alright" earns the applause. The song I am taken with is, however, a new one called "Stop", which has the message of eradicating racism from our society. Appropriate really, as this month sees the 30th anniversary of the Rock Against Racism concert in Victoria Park, London. Still in our thoughts even now!

Also appearing tonight are young locals LIAM VERNON and PLAYING AWAY. Liam lustily performs some cover versions of traditional Irish folk songs, while the following ska band are totally out of their depth on their debut. The sound didn't match their smart looks. Plenty of band practice ahead for these lads.