Random Hand, No Cigar, Magic Skool Bus, Spiked.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 19th January 2008.

Headlining tonight's gig are RANDOM HAND, who have already developed quite an affinity with Esquires. This Yorkshire Ska-Band are incredibly making their fourth appearance here in just under a year. As per usual their entertainment value earns them top marks from me. Their visit this evening forms part of an extensive British tour - "We are in Milton Keynes next week" they cheerily inform us and in frontman Robin, they possess a guy who appears at home on stage. On meeting him post gig he appears to be modest and a touch shy, but performing he manically veers from singing to playing the trombone and he is constantly on the move. After the 'hand have performed ’Snakes and Ladders’ the aforementioned gentleman strips off his rather tight fitting Sonic Boom Six t-shirt bemoaning the fact that they must have small framed fans! Now at ease with himself, it’s time for ‘Anthropology’, whilst ‘The Tenant of Rotherwood Hall’ is a rather spooky song about Random Hand’s local Job Centre - hopefully not a place the boys will be visiting in the near future!!

With the crowd at the front now evolving into a full-blown mosh pit, Robin thinks it is time for everyone to indulge in a “massive group hug”! As a result, the following ‘Answers’ gets everyone close together again and it is renamed the “Boing Boing Song”. Of their set this evening, it’s ‘Scum Triumphant’ that comes out on top. Totally anthemic and some real ‘nasty’ ska. With good audience participation, lets hope these crazy ska-tykes can make it a fifth visit in the near future.

Of the support, I suppose NO CIGAR from Milton Keynes could be loosely described as Ska-Metal. After a confusing intro where the band wanted darkness and this reviewer provided some light (oh for vocal communication - I don’t perform psychic!), it all settled down for some alternative ska. Very heavy on the ear, ’Ska-Bruise’ was certainly true to its title. The wonderfully named ’Lumpy Gravy’ is a band favourite while during a short technical hitch the vocalist tells one of the better jokes heard on Level 2.

“What are the names of the husband and wife who enjoy fishing together?” “Rod and Annette!” Northampton’s MAGIC SKOOL BUS are also making a Level 2 debut. They are a little more traditional in their definition of Ska and include two Sax and a trombonist amongst their collective of eight. They also feature a dancey ’Bez’ character who doubles up on vocals on occasions. I’m exhausted just watching him! A ride on this Magic Skool Bus emphasised the fact that Ska isn’t spent force just yet.

Opening the evening but most certainly not a ska band are the feisty young ladies of Hitchin called SPIKED. Although still suffering from the after effects of a cold, vocalist Sian performs admirably, as do the rest of the band. They again range from the heavy, grungy ’All Senses Lost’ to the short, sharp, punky ’Pretty Like You’. Once more they display no nerves and unlike most of their peers, no covers! It’s all at breakneck speed except for the epic final song ’Blood on your Favourite Dress’, it’s heavy and deservedly earns loud applause from everybody present.