Frontline, Condemned to Silence.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2. 28th September 2006.

With a good sized turn out tonight, the debut performance of FRONTLINE is for me, eagerly anticipated. These local young Punk merchants comprise of Henry (from the Bleeders) on vocals, Liam (guitar), Bosko (guitar), Eric (bass) and Richie (drums).
From the off, Frontline's Henry displays his usual 'electro-convulsive' style of dancing. Big Liam just looks menacing while Eric looks the part completely, resplendent in boots and braces, as the 4 skins sang all those years ago 'We are the new breed and we will have our say, We are the new breed and we are today'.
This seems to sum up the Frontline philosophy, especially on 'Anti-social, Anti-fascist', which is pure Oi. Fuelled by a few bevvies (no trendy Evian water for this firm), Henry informs us that 'Flowers in the Pub' has a more serious working title, while 'Street' is an immediate sing-a-long anthem. The boys reprise the tune for an encore which is royally received by their followers. The only flaw was I was going to tell Liam that 'Frontline' is a dogs best friend (as a Flea repellant!) but then I thought 'No, self preservation is a better option!'. Because as the Cockney Rejects once told us 'Die your hair Dayglo, look a Prat, Didn't they tell you Skins were back?'

Prior to Frontline, Huntingdon Metallers CONDEMNED TO SILENCE gave us a searingly short burst of their best efforts. In the line-up are Ian Smith (vocals) Chris Spencley (Lead Guitar) Steve Devlin (Rhythm Guitar) Emma Davies (Bass) and Mark Parky (Drums).
Formed in November 2004, the band have gigged primarily in Cambridge and this is their first appearance in Bedford. Although nervously static at times in their visual appearance, the enormity of their sound and the fine layered textured build up of their songs gets full marks from this punter.
Their stand out song has to be 'Deny', which gives a great opportunity for young Chris to play expansively. Frontman Ian, develops a good rapport with the crowd as he breathlessly gasps "I must give up smoking!" while Emma has to be the tallest female bass player seen here for quite a while! Condemned to Silence earned a lot of respect here tonight.