The Dilinquents, Kicking Kays, Minimal Damage, Amy Lee, Darren Michaelangelo Smith.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 23rd November 2007.

Any evening that begins with two acoustic performers always lifts my spirits and with the eloquently monikered DARREN MICHAELANGELO SMITH opening, we are in for a rather interesting twenty minutes. When this young man fronted his band The Kraze, I was suitably impressed. His presence and demeanour is purely dodgy second hand car dealer! He oozes natural self confidence. Essential if you have travelled all the way from Haverhill to play in, what for him is, a strange town.
"What's Bedford like on a Friday night?" he asks, or rather demands to know. With a rugby players physique, he is not a man to ignore. Possessing a striking estuary edge to his vocals, each song tells a story, and although Darren only gets polite applause at each songs end, it certainly deserves more, especially the wonderfully performed "Can't I Buy You That Drink?".

Our next acoustic visitor has enjoyed many good evenings here. It's AMY LEE and the superlatives are endless. Her fan base congregate at the front as she opens with a couple of new songs that seamlessly link to her now well worn groove of familiar favourites. It is a joy from beginning to end. The respect grows.

When local ska band MINIMAL DAMAGE played here recently, a lack of crowd and atmosphere rather tempered their enthusiasm. Tonight both re-energize their potent power. Also the band are up to full strength with the full compliment of alto-sax back on board. With addictively compelling frontman Johnny rallying his seven-piece troops and the crowd as he enthusiastically asks everyone "Are You Up For a Dance?". Too right is, I'm sure, the collective response as they jump and bounce around in unison. The signs look good for this band as its a genre of music not fully represented in this town.

For whatever reason KICKING KAYS' set just did not do it for me tonight. Following Minimal Damage probably did not help as their rather flat and tepid offerings rather killed the party spirit. Their shout of being the secret weapon was, I feel, rather wishful thinking.

So to THE DILINQUENTS (sic), who welcome back Rich Taylor to the ranks. Back from Uni, he completes the quartet who to quote an old phrase are 'mean, moody and magnificent'! The band are on top form tonight and its 1-2-3-4 throughout. Bizzarely they also include a dustbin amongst their stage props! "Astro Zombies" is primally performed at breakneck speed, while a Johnny Cash cover earns due repect. The Dilinquents continue to be the epitome of Bedford cool, while Richard's hair continues to grow even longer!