Kain, Hatespire, Enraged Horizon, Liam Vernon, Captain Dread.

Lev 1 + 2. Esquires Bedford. 24th December 2010.

Tonight is Christmas Eve, although as a Friday it's business as usual here at Esquires with bands playing both upstairs and downstairs. There's plenty of choice for everyone. However, the atmosphere could not be more different between the two! Admittedly, an admission fee of £5 was charged on level 2, but judging by the amount of festive beverages being consumed in Danny's Bar, this nominal amount would not have mattered one jot. Difficult travelling conditions would have hampered tonight's out of town bands and their followers, but it seems to be the quality of the music and the characters that people seem to be seeking tonight. This evening I decided to dip in and out of both gigs.

Bedford Alternative Music presented the now annual "Stars in their eyes" end of year show. As usual, it's a chance for new young local bands to indulge in playing some fun covers, as well as playing some of their own material. I had every sympathy for promoter Keith Pickering and his creative skills as, firstly, Misterbrick pulled out, while headliners CAPTAIN DREAD are playing a free gig here next week (why pay to see them tonight?). Tonight they cover Funeral for a Friend amongst others.

Downstairs, the party is just about to start as LIAM VERNON offers us a short acoustic set. As usual, it consists of some traditional 'oirish' songs as well as, rather bizarrely, "England belongs to me"! His natural charm, cheeky banter, plus the addition of many, many drinks always makes him worth the viewing! Taking over the mic are the Bedford institution commonly known as The Tendons. 2011 sees this quartet celebrate their quarter century anniversary. Always hugely popular, they continue to ply their hard and fast punk sound, all combined with Jon's rather fruity adult lyrics. His banter continues to amuse and entertain. Tonight he comes out with one of the absolute classic one-liners to grace the venue this year! With his shiny bald head drenched in sweat, it is prior to perennial favourite "Fishy Fanny" that he tells us, with a knowing grin etched on his angelic face, "Ah, there's nothing like licking some haddock"!

What a contrast to a soulless level 2. At present ENRAGED HORIZON are playing. They cover both "I Believe in a thing called Love" by The Darkness and RATM's "Killing in the name of". The former is played with real fun. In the same vein are HATESPIRE who cranked up the Christmas festivities with some Lady Ga Ga as well as a Katy Perry composition. With Danny's Bar festooned in decorations, perhaps that’s why is seems more seasonal downstairs (oh and it's much warmer!).

KAIN have had an excellent year. Following them to 'Daxtonbury', as well as Hitchin's Club 85 has been an enjoyable experience. Although it's not 3 o'clock on Christmas day, Ralf issues his message to the nation (well Esquires anyway). He announces "Happy Christmas. God bless you one and all!". Hard working drummer Alan deserves a most special mention as, after his sterling efforts with The Tendons, he's now pounding the skins with Kain. Rob and Sid's manic guitar work is the integral basis for "Eye for an Eye". It's a song which Ralf describes as being dedicated to people who have lost someone at this time of year. It's a most personal and heartfelt thought.