Desperate Cycle, Titan System, 1000 Hertz, Splitting Image.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2. 2nd March 2006.

Tonight on the regular Thursday showcase evening we are party to a 'New City Noise' night, an evening dedicated to all things loud, fast and alternative.

Getting things underway were SPLITTING IMAGE, a young three piece punk band from the Milton Keynes area, namely Matt (guitar/vocals), Rich (drums) and lil' Jon (bass/vocals). This was something of a comeback, as it was their first gig since April last year when they supported the excellent 6 point 5.
Although relatively unknown in Bedford, it was impressive to see and hear them bully us into taking notice of them with searing guitar work and lyrical barbs. It was hard to believe they hadn't performed for almost 12 months. This was punk with plenty of energy played with maximum enjoyment and Splitting Image quickly earned the total support of the crowd.
1000 HERTZ turned the dial up a few notches when it was their turn to play. In fact, the most apt song that this 4 piece hardcore/punk band play is titled 'Wake Up Call' - blimey, it certainly was! As their set progresses, 1000 Hertz were evidently enjoying their trip to Bedford.
Firing up a streetsmart melodic hardcoresque storm with neo-punk machine gun guitars, the only let up is a power ballad 'Systems Fail' that John (vocals/guitar), Pete (guitar/vocals), Alex (bass) and Dave (drums) execute to perfection. In fact John is almost in a trance-like state as the song washes over us all. Final efforts 'Static Believer' and 'One too Many' ensure the set finishes with incendiary intensity.

With all due respect to the other bands, I must give special credit to the third act tonight, TITAN SYSTEM. These guys travelled all the way up from Brighton to play for us and could be loosely described as Rage Against the Machine meets Kasabian with the ghost of Augustus Pablo looking fondly down. All performed in a fruity Ska salad. An original treat indeed.
With a hyped up keyboard player dictating the bands direction, especially in 'Don't Carry That Burden', which is a true skankin' sing-a-long, the young punks are drawn to the front. 'Two Worlds Collide' is pure punk which is then slowly diluted with a lovely dash or two of ska. Titan Systems final song is 'Dreader than Dread' which encases a heavy dub riff with a delicious poppy chorus.
You simply can't fail to get moving to The Titan System - certainly tonight everyone did.

DESPERATE CYCLE are regular visitors here. However, it is their first appearance in Danny's Bar and following Titan System proves to be an almost impossible task. Once again they arrive as a three piece, which obviously impairs their look and sound. Last time it was lead singer Nicky's illness, tonight guitarist John has jetted to America for a holiday. At least with Nicky back at the helm, his trademark tartan trousers are once again a sight to behold.
The blistering 'Ultra-Violent' is the stand-out song from the set, as Desperate Cycle unleash their buzzsaw guitars. 'Brand New Riot' encouraged some very manic dancing from one or two people that almost threatened to get out of control. 'Young and Wasted', a song which the band hate playing but their fans love, closes their set tonight. As the song goes, you must always keep the customer satisfied!