Rate Of The Day, The Culture, Little Thief, The Guildean Gang, Sister Ray.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 24th February 2007.

Tonight's gig launched The Blag, or to use it's official title theblagpodcast.com - podcasting for the local alternative music scene. Check it out.

During a top night's entertainment the performance of THE CULTURE was the most pleasing aspect, with the band at last fully realising all the potential they have been striving for in the past few months. With a strong influence deeply rooted in the mod scene with a Jam coating, it's pure infectious exuberance as the stage sees them strutting their stuff with confidence and displaying total attitude, pausing briefly to give us some funky vibes late on. Some bands cough and splutter like an old car in the morning, not The Culture - they were like a fleet of Ferraris!

The recent exploits of youngsters LITTLE THIEF and THE GUILDEAN GANG have created a minor revelation here as the petulance and spark of youth are harnessed into the right channels. Little Thief, in their short career span have certainly managed to prick up the ears of most Esquires gig-goers. Playing with a rich dose of fun, they have even got a song called "The foyer song" which the boys composed in the hallowed surrounds of the Esquires foyer! With a pleasant and relaxed style which climaxes with an invitation to sing along with final song 'Lucinda', the raucous stage invasion at the end gave full testament to Little Thief's appeal!

It wasn't just the bright ultra-tight trousers that The Guildean Gangs guitarist wore that shone from these Biggleswade boys' performance. Enjoying a healthy mutual love-in (!) with Little Thief, their agenda is matched with a crisp and to the point performance, even finding time to have a dig at that sweet old town of Stevenage!

SISTER RAY opened the evening in their usual laid back style, and it's great to report that they are finally earning some long overdue respect. With Robbie and Britney in rehab, Genna's vocal rendition of 'Mental problems' hits a raw nerve. Harsh serious words - these kids don't write meaningless lyrics where Tesco rhymes with alfresco.

The line-up is completed by RATE OF THE DAY whose bluesy soulful vocalist ideally suits this funk based indie outfit.