The Return, Sirenide, Counterfeit, Kindred.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 5th November 2005.

With current Esquires favourites The Return headlining, support came from three local bands.

First up were KINDRED, who unfortunately lost my interest mid-way through their third song 'XLD'. Although this three piece looked good on stage, they seemed to just go through the motions. Perhaps it was nerves, but it seemed the last place they wanted to be was on the stage!

Beds/Herts boys COUNTERFEIT seemed far more assured as they presented us with a fine set of post-hardcore (with an acoustic interlude in the form of the track 'A Time I'll Never Forget'. Counterfeit are no strangers to gigging and this was patently evident from their first song 'Not Tonight', which had a similar sound to recent Esquires headliners Fightstar. Very enjoyable.

A few weeks ago I saw a young band from Leighton Buzzard called SIRENIDE playing in Danny's Bar. Comprising of Llovonne (vocals), Nikki (bass), Amie (rhythm guitar), Andy (lead guitar) and Matt (drums), tonight they were promoted to to level 2 and - wow - what a performance. Aurally and visually they were simply stunning. Picking out three songs from their set, 'If You're Looking Great' was turbo charged with a hard-driving backbeat, 'Jealous Way' is an intensely haunting song with wonderful lilting vocal harmonies and a superb guitar solo whilst 'Secrets out' has a contemporary A.O.R. feel to it.

With good interplay between band members during the set and with a hypnotic Karen O'ish front woman in Llovonne, Sirenide are wonderfully compelling.

THE RETURN just get better and better. Fresh from their support slot with The Subways here in September, the only thing bothering them tonight is not knowing whether it was Friday or Saturday night. As well as firm favourites 'Black and White', '10-4' and 'Bride' the lads threw a few new songs into the mix (in fact, one such track had only been completed at the soundcheck!).





With the talent and strong songs The Return have at their disposal, they should be aiming high and with the Hairgel boys keeping an eye on their progress I have great expectations for their future.