Soho Dolls, Edge City, Blackstar, Pirate Radio.
Esquires Bedford Lev 2 14th June 2006.
It is sometimes said that sex sells music and that looks and image can be used to distract from a groups musical shortcomings. For me, that summed up tonight's headline band SOHO DOLLS. The posters that have been strapped around every available lamp-post and traffic light in the vicinity of the venue displayed a provacative and suggestive image, giving rise to the notion that the band were going to play on being risqué, and so it proved.
Soho Dolls open with a dated Eighties disco-pop sound, very much like recent visitors The Modern. They comprise of two lads strapped with guitars, a female keyboardist and a female vocalist, all colourfully dressed. The crowd is busy, but not packed.
'17-24' is a decent effort from these fashion darlings, while 'Johnny' also creates a warmth of ambience. After telling us we are the coolest audience they have played to, they end with forthcoming single 'Stripper'. The lead singer first climbs seductively onto the speakers then jumps back down to remove her flimsy top to reveal a strategically placed strip of gaffa tape covering her small modesty. All rather embarrassing, tacky and unsexy - much like their set.
Thankfully, the three preceding bands all relied more on their music and impressed with it.
Between 2002 and 2003 Luton's EDGE CITY were familiar visitors here and tonight it is nice to seem them back. New drummer Alex is settling into his role with this archetypal female-fronted indie band. 'Smell of my Skin' is the standout and it includes a delicious slice of funky guitar work in the middle.
Four piece BLACKSTAR have a style of indie rock that ranges from the uplifting, with 'Higher and Higher' no doubt the jewel in their crown, to much gentler acoustic sounds. Unfortunately the vocalist sometimes struggled to match his bands musical offerings.
Main support are PIRATE RADIO, a band I really have a lot of time for. This Luton trio veer towards a Subways sound and their rapid fire set is bursting with energy and verve, although the mellower 'Don't go Back' is slightly less raucous! New song 'Teenage Riots' harks of Razorlight and with more than generous support from their travelling army and entertaining interplay between the band, Pirate Radio offered the best performance of this Hairgel night.
(This gig generated quite a bit of local media interest. You can read further reviews on the BBC Three Counties website. (Press)
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordesquires.co.uk