Esquires 20th Anniversay Day 2 featuring The Silver Brazilians, Frantasise, Wolf Law, Speedshot, Tonight We're Electric.

Lev 1 + 2 Esquires Bedford. 29th May 2010.

Day two of the Bedford Esquires 20th anniversary festival. On level 2, the opening shots are fired by young, punky electronic five piece TONIGHT WE'RE ELECTRIC. I have to say from a personal view, I found their set more than a touch repetitive. Dare I say it, as safe as sofa cushions? As bland as sand? As dangerous as doughnuts? Enough of the clichés, and on another night I may have enjoyed this boisterous combination, but on with the next band.

SPEEDSHOT should, I feel, be rechristened tonight. How about Red Hot? Or dare I say Shit Hot (cliches again, sorry)!. A dynamic show by this testosterone frenzied trio. They never let the urgency drop as they zoomed through their set at just one pace, ie very, very fast. Having knocked out their new song "Blood Sweat and Beers" recently, they have, in true DIY fashion, made a few minor alterations and adjustments to give it even more of an addictive power surge. These youthful phizogs have such a mischievous nature in their song writing construction. With the regular addition of new and stronger anthemic songs replacing, perhaps, some of the older, weaker material, there is more of an all round cohesive feel about their set. This, as ever, is rounded off by Esquires favourite alcoholic tipple, all together now "Ssnnaakkeebiiittee"! Oh yes Speedshot, we certainly "Get, get it"!

2010 is turning out to be a watershed year for Bedford's primal rock 'n' rollers WOLF LAW. They have lost bassist Jason B, but gained a new manager in Sally N. That, I suppose, is how it goes in the amoebic world of band evolution. Filling in for Wolf Law tonight is a face fresh from the pages of Kerrang! magazine, and days after supporting Andrew WK, in none other than Mr Simon Barker, axeman from The Smoking Hearts. It's a seamless addition as this talented young guitarist gives it his all. Wolf Law are nothing short of thrilling. There is an edge and a hunger of a band who, needless to say, want it all and more, but yes, they want it now. An August appearance at the prestigious Cambridge 'rock festival' is what they're building towards. Pre-gig, the dedication to the job is plain for all to see, as front man Sean Morris spends the time restringing his guitar, a painful chore for any musician. However, the job is worth it as Wolf Law are a constant throbbing pulse, engaging in their nerve shredding riffs. Mid-set, and its the anthemic "Crucified". Sean admits that he is very hot and asks if anybody wants to come and fan him cooler? Their intense delivery does not subside as we all recover from "Swinging the Bottle", Sean adds a nice touch by sending out a Wolf Law message to the venue "Happy birthday Esquires, Happy birthday Danny, sixty tomorrow"!

Recovering slowly from the previous two bands, I venture downstairs to see FRANTASISE (yes, I), a dub reggae influenced collective who are well known from the early Esquires days. Indeed, as the projector advertises, this band were appearing here on Saturday 6th February 1993 for the princely sum of £3.50 admission. Danny's Bar is atmospherically darkened as the chilled out vibes are further enhanced by a hypnotic mini light show. Esquires old-skoolers are basking and soaking up the rhythms that honour the lineage of reggae, music that freely puts you in a delightful mood of optimistic relaxation. For Frantasise, I would only say one word - irie!

Back on level 2, THE SILVER BRAZILLIANS - nuff said! Direct and to the point, they bring us songs about Milton Keynes "knocking shops" and write love songs about "psychopaths" and people who can "pull a gun". Seedy, biting and true to life. Young bands could, and would, do well to study their technical and adept craftsmanship.

Other bands to feature tonight are LECARLA on level 2, and in Danny's Bar TINKER JACK, HARRIET LANGLEY and FRAN BOVE & COLLECTIVE.