Track Zero, Pirate Radio, Stepping Over Jenny, Citizen Keyne.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2 3rd February 2006.

Hairgel presented us with four bands tonight and there was certainly something for everybody in their selection.

Personally, it was great to welcome Milton Keynes' loveable old punks CITIZEN KEYNE back onto our stage once again. They didn't disappoint with their own brand of tongue in cheek humour combined with some searing lyrics. It certainly made for a most entertaining half hour.
After opening with 'Lies' and then 'Fightback', the band then dedicated 'Chaos' to Bedford's premier punk fans Loretta and Paul, a well deserved accolade as they are regular and fervent supporters of 'proper' punk bands.
'Murder in the City' was a genuine piece of social comment about the fear of being attacked for no apparent reason whilst 'Boyband' was a cynical look at a particular passing fad that everyone goes through. However, the highlight for me was 'Chavs', a song that just gets better and better and funnier and funnier everytime I hear it performed.

A new band arrived on stage next, the quirkily titled STEPPING OVER JENNY and it is a treat to see such a young indie-ska band. They number eight in their line up but disaster almost occurs at the end of their opening song 'Gainesville Rock City' as vocalist Pippa is accidentally caught on the side of her head by a stray guitar. Fortunately she recovers her composure and carries on regardless. It's always refreshing to hear a horn section although it is a tight squeeze to fit all of the band in a line on stage. Their set suffered from a few nerves at the start but overall it is well received by a crowd who happily skank along enthusiastically. Their penultimate song 'Science of Selling Yourself Short' was everybody's favourite and is given a great reception. Despite a couple of dreadful cover versions (of which A-Ha's 'Take on Me' was embarrassingly awful) Stepping Over Jenny's debut Esquires gig was an enjoyable experience.

Luton's PIRATE RADIO make a return and continue to make a good impression. With an average age of just 17 this three piece start off with the blistering 'Feedback' and then continue their guitar onslaught with 'Scenesters' and the bold 'Tear it Up'. Pirate Radio announced during their set that the 4th of February sees the launch of their E.P. which, on tonight's performance, should shift plenty of copies.

Headliners TRACK ZERO hail from Leighton Buzzard and attract a good following. They are a young band fronted by their former vocalist of Fenside (a band of note who gigged here a few years ago). Although their music is not my cup of tea, their craftsmanship and technical skill was beyond question. A faultless set (apart from a minor mishap with a mic stand), this was seventies progressive rock with a twenty-first century Emo slant!