The Return, Heartbeat Assassins, The Cadelles, Mutiny.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 3rd September 2005.

Tonight's gig came courtesy of the hairgel boys, and we were treated to four excellent up and coming bands with something for all alternative tastes. However, before I review the evening I have got to have a bit of a rant. The people who came to this gig and left before headline act The Return came on stage are, in my opinion, an utter disgrace! Please realise it is extremely disrespectful to the travelling bands that you do it to. This is now happening more and more when local fans appear to only support the local bands and bands that have come, in some cases, hundreds of miles play to a semi deserted club. This has got to stop, so please show some maturity and support ALL of the bands who play on the night, not just the one your mate happens to be in. You don't know what you might be missing! Rant over.

First band tonight were metal act MUTINY, a Cambridge band who have gigged locally at The Portland Arms and The Man on the Moon. They gave us a fine Esquires debut, a great set opening 'Trip' and ending with 'Low Slow'.

Before The Return returned, THE CADELLES and the Heartbeat Assassins entertained us. Biggleswade three piece The Cadelles went through a six song set of Red Hot Chili Peppers / Muse influenced tunes. Band members Charlie, Paul and Sam are school friends who are currently playing purely for fun, which for me their set was.

HEARTBEAT ASSASSINS are a Bedford based Emo band whose set was heavily influenced by the American 'teen punk' sound popularised by Blink 182 et al. Unfortunately, I didn't get a set list, but I especially enjoyed their third number.

And so to THE RETURN, who are a blindingly good band from Swindon. Making their second level 2 appearance, they are a very hard working band - fifty five gigs played so far this year!. With one E.P to their name so far, the lads are currently writing new material for another one. Of the songs they performed, my favourite 'Secrets', was delivered with raw energy complete with heavy riffs and a solid beat, whilst the jangly 'Black and White' and the Kaiser Chiefesque 'Fire' also impressed.

All in all, a great set that unfortunately was not supported by a sizeable proportion of the paying public. Let's hope this doesn't happen again.