Fun Ya Mum, New Groove Formation, The Swamis, Bent Like Bob.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2. 2nd December 2005.

Reviewed by Pete Burridge / Pictures by Suzy Cook

A full house, four local(ish) bands.

It was great to see Esquires already busy when first band BENT LIKE BOB went on stage tonight. Although squeezed onto the bill at the last minute as their pub gig had been cancelled, their loyal following were up jumping and moshing around after the first few bars of the very first song. These guys have come on a lot in their year and a bit together - gone is the set of covers they started out with and in its place is a great set of mostly original material. Their stage presence is much improved too.
One thing though - if any of the band are reading this, my tip for 2006 is change your name!

Next up tonight are THE SWAMIS. I caught the second half of their set in the bar a couple of weeks ago and I wish I had been there to see it all. After a couple of technical hitches (you don't need your own Sound Engineer yet, guys), once the sound balanced out they turned in a sterling set with their guitarist, Paul Jackson, absolutely shining. I look forward to seeing them again next year.

Esquires is absolutely rammed by the time NEW GROOVE FORMATION played tonight. I find it hard to describe their sound - although they're quite ska based, I hear a sort of Credit to the Nation, Stereo Mcs and Senser crossover in there somewhere. The whole set is really infectious and it cannot fail to make you smile. It was great hearing everyone singing along to 'It's the Music' and they certainly left the crowd wanting more.

And so then to 'FUN YA MUM' and their first hometown gig for more than a year and here tonight to promote their latest E.P. (buy it in The Music Centre folks). Taking to the stage at half ten, I thought they looked a bit nervous. Maybe it was because they hadn't played to their local following for so long.





'Alabama Whirley' really stood out for me tonight, with Miriam and Steve's dual vocals working well against the frantic rhythm section and once they relaxed it was like they had never been away. 'Escapism' from the aforementioned EP was another really memorable moment but their whole set was really well received and it was great to have them back.





On a final note, it was very re-assuring to have a full house tonight and I think it shows that although Bedford may only be a small town, our music scene is getting better and better. Everyone stayed until the last band finished tonight too! Things are definitely looking up and let's hope this is the shape of things to come.