Doll and the Kicks, Baedeker, Spiked, Amy Leeder.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 5th September 2009.

I can honestly say that tonight's Level 2 gig has to be one of the most all round enjoyable and satisfying shows of 2009. A combination of varied genres, allied to top musicianship, all enjoying what they were trying to achieve, made it a real pleasure to be part of it all. Hopefully other attendees got the same feeling.

Making their first visit to Esquires are indie guitar quartet DOLL AND THE KICKS. Hailing from Brighton, they comprise Doll (vocals), Chris Woolison (drums), Matthew Garrity (guitar) and Olivier Nicholas (bass). A great deal of anticipation has preceded their appearance here. This has arisen because they already have had, in their short career, the honour and prestige of supporting Morrissey on his 2009 European tour.

Obviously, Doll is the most striking individual in the band. Tall, fair-haired, model star looks, she attracts the male fans to the front by wearing a skimpy pair of sparkly hot pants and a white t-shirt bearing the words "love my bones"! Between songs she says little. When she does, I sense it comes across as being rather vague and random! Cutely, she asks if "it's Bedford or Bedfordshire" that the band are in tonight! The young lady certainly comes alive when she's singing though. Slightly high-pitched, she's on form and raucously shouts out "You Turn Up". The singalong part of "There's the front door, there's the front door" makes for a memorable part of the set. The lads in the band offer solid back up, especially on "He was a Dancer", containing a slightly KOL 'Youth and young manhood guitar sound'. "Pictures", rather appropriately contains the following lyrics "Pictures flash across the floor". True, because as Doll moves about the stage, endless photos are being taken. The songs are fast, concise and snappy because, as she tells us, "We don't like slow ones"! As Doll And The Kicks leave the stage to a great reception, it's a moot point as to whether they will return for 'just one more'. Thankfully they do. A top night and a band that I'm sure many of you will catch on the forthcoming Morrissey tour. Make certain to get there early and see them. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Doll And The Kicks set list:
• Fire, • He's a believer, • Pictures, • Roll up the red carpet, • Rising sun, • You do it better, • Superstar, • If you care, • You turn up, • He was a dancer, • Leaving the race.

I'm sure that many people in Bedfordshire were very surprised when news came recently that THE SWAMIS had split up. A local band that were both respected and hugely supported. However, two of the trio Dan and Matt have now joined forces with Nick Mailing to form Baedeker. The sound is heavy with each song finely constructed. It is very intense, fiery, and extremely confident as befitting these technically gifted musicians. Sometimes awe-inspiring, sometimes mellow, rather like walking in the dark. You never know whats going to be round the corner! "Wasted" contains such utter mastery of the guitar. As so often with his previous band, when Dan sings you take notice. As he sings "The sun is setting over my head" you truly believe him. He paints a vocal picture. Other songs of note from Baedeker on this excellent debut performance are "Decent" and also "Fading Away".

It's always a pleasure to welcome back SPIKED to Esquires. The feisty grunge girls buck my perennial moan about the local young ladies not being interested in picking up a guitar and giving it a good thrashing! The youngsters put on a great show even though they are struggling with colds. "She's Sick", I'm sure, never sounded so realistic. There is melody and fury in equal measure. The comprehensive range of predominantly grunge inspired material belies their age. Some of the compositions almost contain a pseudo jazz-grunge element! Originality has always been Spiked's forte. A recent excursion to Germany, plus a planned trip to Ireland show that they are not a band to rest on their local laurels.

AMY LEEDER provides an acoustic appetizer. Wonderful as ever, even "Chavs of 2023" gats a now rare outing. It's the perfect start to what turns out to be a great three hours of music.