Vice Squad, Mispelt, Hotwired.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 22nd May 2010.

When punk first burst on to the scene back in the seventies, one of the major things that it did was to hugely raise the profile of women in music. It proved that they could be the equal of their male counterparts. Second generation punks VICE SQUAD were a perfect case in point. From Bristol, they were formed in late 1978 and fronted by a striking, feisty blonde-haired girl, who went by the name Beki Bondage. Thirty two years later, she is still at the helm and judging by her performance and comments, still relishing and enjoying the challenge of getting her views across in the music. Bedford Esquires, courtesy of Upbeat Promotions, took great delight in giving her and the band a warm welcome. It is, however, disappointing to report that tonight's turn out is abjectly small. The travelling fans swell the numbers, but why were there not more Bedford faces to witness one of the true survivors of punk's early days? As well as Beki, Vice Squad in 2010 comprise Paul Rooney (guitar), Wayne Firefly (bass) and Noisy Tone (drums). Unlike so many of their ilk who prefer just to churn out a greatest hits package, Vice Squad continue to write new material, as was seen last year with the release of their album "London Underground".

Beki knows her roots, however, as she shouts out at the start "We are old skool!". She continues to keep 'sticking two fingers up' at the establishment. Remember, this is a band whose album "No Cause for Concern" waa mixed on the day of the 1981 royal wedding because, as they admitted "there was nothing better to do"! The crowd move forward a few steps and there is a huge response for the 'newer' "Sniffing Glue" as there is for "Rock n Roll Massacre", an old track from "Stand Strong, Stand Proud". Beki recalls that this was wrttten by Vice Squad founder member Dave Bateman, who sadly died a few years ago. Beki displays a chirpy personality, in fact she only really struggles when she tries to tell a couple of jokes in a stand-up style and they misfire completely. When Beki does compose herself, it's to describe the origins of "Ordinary Girl". "It's about being a banker or chartered surveyor", a touch ironic I think? With her gorgeous looks, Ms Bondage was a natural cover girl for the music press such as Melody Maker or Sounds all those years ago and she has aged well, still looking fantastic. Ever a voice of the people, 'sexual perverts' are catered for with "Latex Love". The two support bands gained her approval as she dedicated "Stand Proud" to their efforts.

Northampton's MISPELT are fronted by Gen, who is well known to most people here. She has been around the punk and metal circuit for the best part of ten years. Her boundless enthusiasm is totally infectious. She leaves the stage early on and performs ad hoc in the mosh pit. An explosive and seismic trip is boosted, firstly, by "Something for the Weekend" and then, my favourite, the 'skittish-punk' of "Foxtrot Oscar".

Very much in the same vein are HOTWIRED, whose bitter swipe at the new leaders of our country is the 'dissident driven' "F*** the government"! The female vocalist's intro is spot on as she retorts "It goes really well with what's been going on recently". It certainly did!