Royston Jones, The Vice, Policy, Alex and the Stragglers.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 2nd May 2008.

Interesting new bands are always greeted with open arms (and ears!) at Esquires, and such was the effect that THE VICE had on the venue a few weeks ago that they just had to be invited back to, once again, ply their blues rock sounds. Their offbeat shabby persona shines, with it's degree of dynamic urgency and exuberance, through the whole of their set. Starting with "Writers Block" the raw creative synergy rises to the surface. The Vice's vocalist does at times bring into play a tambourine that is patted with military precision at various moments. These guitar toting mavericks have the smell of Esquires' historical past in their nostrils as they attack "Sanctuary". A crowd, although not huge in number, are only too willing to satisfy themselves with The Vice's all round musical skills. The only downside appears to be the vocalist's naff white waistcoat which is worn over a scruffy T-shirt! Joking aside, its rare for a band who hail from such a long distance to be treated as one of our own, but Reading's The Vice certainly seem to fit the bill.

Headlining are ROYSTON JONES who are, for the stressed out workers amongst us, the perfect Friday 'pick me up'. Their beautifully layered celestial guitar music is again at its supreme best. It's compulsive viewing and listening. The set transports and uplifts before sending us all to a parallel universe. Admittedly, at first, it's tough going for 'the Jones boys', as following such a tight and taut set by The Vice the pressure is definitely on. Eventually their well crafted songs break through. "Bring Me Down" is a perfect example, an intimate vignette for sure. Josh's keyboard skills flourish on a couple of songs, most notably "Faults", while the lively "Waste of time" is a perfect 'hors d'oeuvre' to the main course of "Wake up".

Also on show tonight are POLICY (yet again!). At the moment it's too many gigs on level 2. A couple of songs stand out, namely "This Decision" with it's singalong chorus of "Take control and keep control", and "Heroes", with it's shout out of "It don't matter today"!

Also appearing are Esquires debutants ALEX AND THE STRAGGLERS. Kindly put, this is just 'cabaret rock'. A seemingly ill-matched quartet whose members look as if they should be featuring in various tribute bands. The drummer for Guns'n'Roses, as he is of shaggy hair, trilby and shades. While one guitarist should fit into the old punk scene and the other one is just a frustrated Suzi Quattro wannabee, and yes, just as diminutive! The female vocalist has probably seen too much of Juliette And The Licks, so enough said!