The On Offs, The Presidents of Park Street, The New Town Centres, The Inspiration.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2 4th November 2006.

Tonight we welcomed back Northampton's Mod-Rockers The ON OFFS - a first viewing however for myself as I missed them last time around.
Although rather surprisingly the venue is only half full, this did not detract from the bands efforts as they gave every ounce of energy to produce a superb show. It's fast and frenetic with some melodic harmonies that shine out, especially in opener 'Forever Dream Of'. 'One Off Man' is a slice of Brighton Beach in the sixties while the dub reggae sounds on 'Forget Your Head' are a welcome addition, giving even tonight a feel of the festival madness that The On Offs ploughed during the Summer. The bluesy feel of 'Wrong Upstairs' is the recent single that the band produced with the help of Bernard Butler, sung by vocalist Danny with an almost Doherty like attitude. Fortunately, there doesn't appear any danger of Danny emulating Pete and taking a tumble from the stage.
The only disappointing song that The On Offs deliver is 'Step it Up', which is a blatant rip-off of 'Start' by The Jam. However, normal service resumes with 'See You Again', which has Noel and Liam G. written all over it. The golden glow of times long ago flood back with the delightful strains of 'He Wants Her' - it has what I will call 'total singalongability'!
The mean streets of The on-Offs hometown are the inspiration for their raw and taut song 'This Town'. The lyrics offer a desperate please to leave this wretched place. Lads, I know what you mean. I had the same feeling on Tuesday when our bus was 25 minutes late leaving Northampton Bus Station!
The On Offs depart the stage with their final song 'Give it a Little Time'. It has a bigger band than all the fireworks that were being let off on my way to the gig this evening. Sadly, there was to be no encore. However, a whopping 12 songs in little over 35 minutes represented goodf value for a fiver. One complaint I have to make about The On Offs is the total lack of communication between them and the crowd. Sometimes a few words mean a lot to the people who turn up and pay their wages.

Once again supporting The On Offs are THE PRESIDENTS OF PARK STREET who literally explode into action with 'What did you Say?' This is a performance of supreme confidence. The sound is electrifying and with the song 'Sister', a real venue shaker and possibly the pick of a very fine and satisfying set.

Also in action tonight were firstly young local oiks THE INSPIRATION, whose set leaned heavily on a Libertines / Hives influenced sound. They are then followed by an unusual band called THE NEW TOWN CENTRES. Formed as long ago as 1997, this five piece are all sharp dressed men as they play a variety of fifties rock'n'roll infused with an indie-jive-swing feel. It's different and in the main it works. The keyboardist gave a great display as a latter day Jerry Lee Lewis snacking on Amphetamine Sulphate! 'Latin Lessons' is probably my favourite song but their originality is their key.