Tinker Jack, Kilto Take, Folding for Reuben, Dead Actors.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 30th May 2008.

With all the depressing weather we have been experiencing recently, it was rather apt and timely that appear that appearing this evening are two bands that are always most welcome here on level 2, namely Tinker Jack and KILTO TAKE. Sunshine bands to be sure.

The latter may have a strange name, but contain a certain charm and, at times, an abrasive edge to a sound that truly tickles the tastebuds. They greet the crowd resoundingly with a loaded question! "Hello Bedford. Who's pissed already? Anyway, come to the front and have a dance!" With strong travelling support, the challenge is readily accepted. The boys have certainly brought safety in numbers!

Opening salvo "Holding the Enemy" and, more especially, "Captured on Polaroid" show the band's true strength lies in their ability to create intense taut moods and wrap it around a lush, dreamy exterior musical shell. As it the tradition for Kilto Take here at Esquires, the band afford us a tune never played live before. It's as yet untitled, but the bouncy feel to it makes certain it's going to be a permanent fixture in the lads' set list in the coming months. They close with a real contrast, as the 'Elbowish' strains of "Fallen" are replaced by the spiky charged "Different Side".

David Litchfield, vocalist and guitarist with Tinker Jack, is acutely nervous as he paces around (pre-gig) in the Esquires car park. Headline slot, new member Dan on bass, the stresses and strains of being a performer are rising to the surface. Thankfully the young man need not have worried as the band magnificently rise to the occasion. Beginning with the almost Latin-American flavour of "Where's Your Girl?", deftly Tinker Jack revert to Americana with "25". However, a worry does occur for Mr Litchfield when a nasty cut finger almost impairs the performance. Luckily former band member Kristian Purcell is on hand to supply first aid. Well, he does supply a plaster! Plus, more importantly, he provides the whistle intro and outro to "Arkansas".

TINKER JACK are a truly delightful band, that effortlessly entertain the myriad folks who aren't content to follow fleeting musical fashions, but take delight in discovering mystic melodies through a range of older and, at times, slightly odd influences, to arrive at something both refreshing and familiar. For this reviewer its both charming, and oh so lovely. New song "Systematic", which is predominantly sung by Rebecca, sounds divine. "Stranger" sounds like something REM might have composed back in the eighties if Maria McKee had been given the vocal duties. Teasingly, Tinker Jack perform an encore. Rebecca performs Cyndi Lauper's "True colours", while "Higher Skies" truly epitomises Tinker Jack's grasp of the meaning of light and shade, as the song uncovers smart guitars and melting vocal melodies. With this quintet, you may leave the venue under a big grey cloud but, believe me, the rain will surely taste sweet!

Opening this evening are youngsters FOLDING FOR REUBEN, whose short set impresses. Young Luke's soulful vocals mix interestingly with, at times, crying guitars and drum powering solos. "Are you happy?" is the epitome of this talented quartet. Hopefully a band to keep an eye on locally.

St Neots five piece DEAD ACTORS offer a quintessential happy go lucky brit-pub-rock fare with no nonsense working class roots. Nasally vocals and piano keys, it's "Sometimes/Sometimes" that stands out.