Kain, Trash Monkey.

Lev 1. Esquires Bedford. 13th August 2010.

Oh no! It's Friday the thirteenth, the infamous day when, if things could go wrong, they will go wrong! Local rockers KAIN brave the day and, at present, are fast becoming the resident house band here in Danny's Bar. Their quick reappearance is met by a healthy turnout which is further swelled by a post-wedding reception. There is certainly a jovial atmosphere. Kain are amongst friends. They smack of melodic ambition and, yes, of admirable intent, but of course it's so much easier when you are playing all of your matches at home.

Kain pretty well keep it ramrod straight and simple. Their ability to craft the necessary musical light and shade, highs and lows, both in percussion and guitar work allows vocalist Ralph's muscular voice to shine through. New song "Of Ilk" is a rough diamond at present, encasing a Stoogesque riff to an ultimate rock climax. The song is already a personal favourite and it is the highlight of Kain's efforts tonight. Rob and Sid's guitars churn seductively into Alan's hard driving and explosive repetitive drumbeats. Of course, it's old favourites like "No", "SWNN" and, especially, "Faithless" that seem to garner them the most applause.

TRASH MONKEY hail from Milton Keynes. Although they have played here a couple of times on level 2, I think tonight is their Danny's Bar debut. They get a warm welcome from the locals, plus a few MK faces have made the short trip. The quintet assembles and, for the next forty minutes or so, they serve up some intelligent misfit punk 'n' roll. Their only fault appears to be that they truly lack the ballsy attitude to cut a true convincing figure. A silk scarf is placed, or should I sat hung, on the mic stand. A quizzical and mystified friend is more to the point and candidly remarks "Goth or gay?" With a more punky sound maybe it's a sweat rag on a stick!

Trash Monkey are, at times, a curious mix, as some of their weaker songs like "Heaven 2.9" and "I want you" hang together like a bunch of ill-fitting clothes. When the band launch into "German Girl", well that is when they are truly on fire. This song owes a certain nod to the classic eighties hardcore motif. Purely and simply, it's a great song. It is there to bully you back on to terra firma after a dull cover of "Prime mMver". There is also to be a cover of "Fight for your right to party" which is also given little respect. On the whole , it is good to report that Trash Monkey just rely on their music with no idle chit-chat to clutter an interrupt the flow.