The Last Republic, Sweet Morning Oblivion, Filthy Red, Ocasan.

Lev 2. Esquires Bedford. 6th November 2010.

Saturday evening at Esquires and we are visited by THE LAST REPUBLIC. My immediate thought is - are we in the presence of future greatness and big stadiums like Muse and fellow Welsh rockers Manic Street Preachers, or are we just witnessing another collection of hyped up wannabees who will disappear very quickly? The Neath based band are currently in the middle of a hectic nationwide two month tour, which has also marked the release of their debut album "Parade" (unfortunately the band are unable to sell any copies at their gigs). It was recently awarded four K's in Kerrang magazine. Very polite and nice people, they certainly say all the right things about the venue, even though the turn out is disappointingly poor.

An instant personal favourite on this first introduction to TLR has to be "When Fools Rush In", which contains some dreamy vocals allied to some soaring and spaced out guitar work. The five piece hit the mark with this one. To be fair, during their set they mix and match the noise heaven and quiter stuff exceedingly well. Songwriting and inspiration about a run down country (ours!) and with it their frustrated views is, I always find, commendable. Wales has forever been a rich and fertile music making place, but are The Last Republic in the right place at the right time? They really ought to be with some sonically scorching songs like "CCTV", social commentary with searing guitars and drum power at it's best. For final song "The Fear", front man Johnnie Owen employs a megaphone to get this gritty working class band's message across.

Opening are SWEET MORNING OBLIVION. It is an Esquires debut for this Luton based trio. They feature Paul Brown (drums) (keen eyed musos may remember him from early noughties band The Jehu Explosion), Matty King (vocals, guitar) and Steve Fraser (bass). They have an eclectic mixture of influences with which they hope to create 'white noise soul'.
This is a response to combat the abhorrent rise in manufactured pop bands and heard it all before rock. They certainly impress me with their inspirational clear cut and, at times, directional 'in yer face' songs. The highlight of their six song set is "Crooked Heart Serenade". Mixing in some rocky psychedelic material makes for such an interesting listen.

Unfortunately, the following two bands struggled to keep my attention. Firstly, FILTHY RED, a trio from Dunstable also making their first appearance here. Alternative indie rock, but the entire set rather blends into one. No songs really stand out. However, their presentation is faultless. Perhaps we caught each other on the wrong night!

Oh dear. OCASAN may contain familiar faces, but it's the same turgid result. Yet another trio, but this is a very dull affair. The lads show plenty of enthusiasm, but musically it's so pedestrian. When they sing "Somebody Please Turn Off the Lights", the temptation is very hard to resist. A fellow bored friend sums them up as The Emotines! At least this comment brightened up their last offering.