Henry and the Bleeders, Wolf Law, Radiating Eyes, Liam Vernon.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 26th December 2009.

Boxing Day and it's time for the annual Upbeat Promotions Christmas party, known this year as the XXX-mas Bash. A good turnout with a natural party atmosphere. Headlining, in what is becoming a tradition, are HENRY AND THE BLEEDERS. They truly epitomised that the show must go on as drummer Miles, suffering from a badly damaged right hand, still managed to put on a show stopping one-handed performance. Just don't mention Def Leppard! The psychobilly quartet give us a real Christmas celebration with The Bleeders brass sound a real bonus.

They may have monopolised Christmas at Esquires, but WOLF LAW also battle against the odds as guitarist and backing vocalist Jason has lost his voice. He struggles on and deserves much credit. The boys give us a power packed thirty minute thrill with their awesome crafted riffs. "Obey the Law", "Chase down the Day", "Hardwired and Hellbent" and "Swingin the Bottle" are fired out. As the impressive poster says "If thunderous heavy rock anthems are your thing this is the band for you". They live up to the hype and don't let us down.

They may have changed their musical goalposts, but RADIATING EYES still know how to put on a show. This young noisecore quartet may be deeply ironic (I hope) as they thrash out "Live Music is Dead". The dark, ghostly and ever so slightly eerie intro to "Bleeding Day" misleads, as the song eventually bludgeons our senses. A fired up stage presentation is brilliant on "Steel Hearts". Their final song is "In Conclusion", to which the answer is simple. Most people's eardrums have been serrated by the force of this band.

Opening, with one of his all too rare level 2 appearances, is LIAM VERNON. His Irish background comes to the fore, mainly with covers from The Pogues back catalogue. With a trusty bottle of cider to hand, Liam's strength is his jovial and engaging personality which comes across at all times.