Jub, The Volt, Buick Mackane, Tonight We're Electric.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 5th December 2009.

This reviewers anticipation of tonight's gig is not high. There are no real stand out personalities. It could, I feel, just be 'lets go through the motions'. However, the crowd interest at early doors is high. These youngsters (and there are many of them) make a uniform run to the front to watch and support TONIGHT WE'RE ELECTRIC. A bouncy synthesiser driven young boy band which, I admit, is not my sort of thing. But hey, the kids attending get very excited, especially the hordes of young ladies, and there are a lot. Harmless and fun, this sort of music offends absolutely no-one, but what has it got to say?

BUICK MACKANE from Northamptonshire are my kind of band. Seriously out of step with the last group of young lads, the audience seem initially very unsettled by their presence. Consisting of a drummer and a guitarist, the duo's vocals send a rapid shock to the crowd's central nervous system. Heavy in their output, it seems that the vocalist's casually introverted comments win everyone over. To their full credit, they principally keep it 'poppy' blues rock, although a more mainstream approach is adopted later on in the set. The best band of the evening by a huge distance in my humble opinion.

THE VOLT have (I think) travelled up from Wiltshire. "Country bumpkins!" as their female guitarist says. They open with the catchy "Give it Away". "Start Again" is also to my liking. Warming to the crowd, The Volt are curious as to Bedford's stature. "Is it a town or a city?" they ask. Mixed shouts are amplified to them. The quartet make all the right noises on stage and appear to be genuine people. Enquiring post-set (as I do with unfamiliar bands) for a little more information, I was unfortunately blanked. Either The Volt are publicity shy (which is very rare for any up and coming bands) or simply plain rude. If they ever do return to Esquires I will enquire which it is. Perhaps they had to rush back home?

Although headliners JUB are not a particular favourite of mine, their control of the whole evening has been impressive. As I entered level 2 pre-gig, I noticed a metal pole fixed firmly to the side of the room where the merchandise is sold. I did not take much notice. However, when rays and shard of light started to cascade from the area, I was slightly curious. This increased slightly when I saw that the designated area was home to a between band pole-dancing show. Yes really. Level 2, for one night only, featured lissom and agile young ladies strategically straddling themselves around some cold steel. Metal was seen in a different light. This idea and credit goes to the Jub trio. The songs as a whole rather wash over me. "Somebody Please Turn off the Lights" is rather novelty rock, but perhaps the highspot. They also include a song about Super Mario. Jub reveal that they are recording an album in ten days time. I did wonder whether they might have a bonus dvd to include the pole-dancing sequence!