Sweet Sweet Lies, Sister Ray, Death Mile Fury, Arrows.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 17th July 2009.

Familiar faces from Esquires' recent past were to be seen treading the level 2 stage tonight. Before these musicians took their place we bid a welcome back, after nearly a year, to ARROWS. They return with, what I feel was, a fresher, more invigorating set. Not always, for me, a band that hit the mark, they have certainly honed their skills as well as recruiting a new bassist. For this gig their aim is true and includes enough good songs to appease the pop orthodoxy. With introspective and pensive psychedelia fighting toe to toe with the swirling keyboard sounds, its left to a powerful vocal performance to set the seal on an exciting performance.

To be known around Esquires by just your christian name is a bit unique, so when it was revealed that Blaine's new band were playing, we knew exactly who to expect. Ex of Portion and latterly Jynxt, the totally irrepressible vocalist is always worth watching. His new band is called DEATH MILE FURY and it's very different. The trio include two MC's and a synthesizer. Unnerving scattershot beats and electronic basslines mix fluidly with the sharp tongued MC's. Showcasing songs from their recently released album "A Void", the two rappers put in a breathtaking visual performance. Blaine's old stage theatrics are perfectly suited to his athletic and gymnastic partner, who spends a lot of the time exercising his vocal cords from a standing position on top of the large speakers! The vocal dexterity comes thick and fast in conjunction with the urban electronic soundscape. Initially I quite enjoyed it, but the novelty soon wore thin. Variation was non-existent. They may hustle hard with sneering vocals under a barrage of sounds, but at the moment respect is still being debated, innit!!

Judging by so many people's opinions, SISTER RAY continue to be the ultimate 'marmite' band. You either really like them or totally hate them! This contentious issue centres around Genna's unique vocal style. Their set is harrowing and stark, full of primal outbursts, classical influences, all mixed with European avant-folk. The rhythm section is bolstered by the respected guitar skills of Esquires veteran Nick Mailing (ex Pecadiloes), plus a guest keyboard addition. Sister Ray recalcitrate against the mainstream 'soppy poppy' love songs. In this department they have more bite than a Rottweiler. With such visceral potency, their technical prowess is superb. With a drum thumping intro to "Egg" and some exquisite violin sounds on "Sleep", Sister Ray are intelligent and inventive in equal measure. The stark use of a recorder works perfectly on "Splinter in my Eye". Different instruments abound as a saxophone features on their ironically titled final song "Goodbye", with Genna singing "go, go, go" to the conclusion. Their uncomfortable set has been a pleasure to witness, or perhaps not for some!

SWEET, SWEET LIES are Brighton based, but also include an old face from Bedford Esquires past. Frontman and vocalist Dominic played for a host of local bands during this decade, but his life is now based on the South coast. This means to get back home, as today, he has to negotiate the horrendous M25! They charm a mainly friends based audience with some dynamic musical idiosyncrasies. The quintet are all stylishly attired and their drummer is a man constantly on the move. Their varied material seam takes time to develop and shine with a high point reached on "Lady of the Sea".