Obsessive Compulsive, Spiked.

Lev 1. Esquires Bedford. 8th October 2010.

A gig originally planned for level 2 was switched to the bar after, due to varying circumstances, three of the planned bands had to withdraw. The entertainment was not devalued.

It was way back in July 2004 that a fledgling punk 'n' roll band called OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE first walked through the doors of Esquires. This female fronted Manchester quartet caught my eye then and the intervening years have not diminished this brash and abrasive band. Their large speaker carries their mantra - "I speak my truth, I wear my scars". This quality sleazoid foursome are ablaze with melody and crunchy guitars. They eschew a slightly horror-punk exterior. It's no surprise that their opener is chillingly called "Autopsy". They play hard, fast and tight, hammering away with conviction and raw energy. Anarcho in feel, they deliberate, is it "Man vs Machine"? Taut thrashing vies with 'wild ones' posturing. Obsessive Compulsive angrily "write songs about being pissed off!".

"The Decay of Hope" is typical of their forthright statement. They also describe "27 1/2" as "the golden age". The confident and alluring vocalist sometimes has issues with her flop of long hair which covers both her eyes at regular times, but it is the number of people sitting down which is of greater concern. Punk is all about standing up according to our feisty visitor. Beloved of Scuzz TV, Obsessive Compulsive offer a refreshing change from so much of the current manufactured musical scene. With hours spent up and down the motorway playing gig after gig, it was good that they returned to Bedford after such a long time.

Support comes from SPIKED, whose young age belies their musical output. Grunge with a free flowing punk spirit is their template. It's fair to call them unconventional, but their musical appetite is to be applauded as they devour some early nineties influences. A fresh, natural unschooled attitude, it may be a bit dark in the bar, but Spiked's tunes are, I dare say, casting their own rays of light. Using some feedback on their short "Intro", the trio rely on their instruments fully. Sian's vocals are kept to a minimum, although used to full effect on "She's Sick" as a demented cry of "hey wey" is shouted out.

A spiralling guitar sound excels on "Save Some" and contrasts well with the punky guitar riff to "Machines Please". With a blast of sounds dominating "Pictures", the song eventually drifts into different musical tangents. Their stage demeanor is full of control and, I feel, certainly puts a lot of their male peers to shame. They master their set with music and nothing else. The three youngsters are akin to precious jewels set in a leather clad knuckle duster! With typical angst on "Good with Dollar", their "Outro" is a mood expanding noise. As they say, Spiked are going to get inside your head and you better believe it!