The View, Fruition, Antec Sonata.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2 9th August 2006.

For an Indy gig lately and a mid week night I was pleased for the promoter that there was a good turn out for this gig. A chance to say you were there at a View gig before they hit the big time, with a record in the charts as we speak. I really wish those guys all the best and hope they do well.

First up THE ANTEC SONATA , I get the feeling that these are a trio of quality musicians as opposed to a bunch of people just having a go. They produce some pretty competent stuff. They have been around since 2005 and it's been a year since their E.P was released. 'Punk with a brain' describes their harder sound while a 'Pixies' like tone pins other layers, there is even a Spanish flavoured edge to some of the more acoustic sounding strum work which ads to a variety that would pretty well allow them to slot in to any gig quite comfortably.

FRUITION . Does Indy mean badly dressed? And what is it with bands that wear ties? I wouldn't dismiss this group right off, but feel I would like to see them again to get more used to them, they didn't do much for me and seemed pretty samey with nothing that stands out between tracks, unless of course that's because it was rollickingly good all the way through! They were kind of good at what they did, but nothing that personally grabbed my attention, so I think I will reserve judgement till I have given these another go as I cant decide if they were bland or difficult to get your head around first time round.

If the spin is correct, I can now say I have seen THE VIEW at the old church before they got famous! Good luck to them if they do and hopefully not just legends in their own lunch time! They seem in their progenital stage of getting in at the big time, in need of a bit of polish here and there but an injection of colour to the night's bill. A lot of indy music bores me to dampness under my eyes closely resembling tears, but The View were quite an anti shoe gazing energetic bunch. Dressed like summer down on the farm and up for a good bit of movement on stage. The songs seemed quite varied and lively and a shared vocal approach making a double front man line-up. One of which decked in a panama hat and rather girly beads, but didn't detract from looking the part. I wouldn't say this band are re inventing the wheel when it comes to music, merely changing the tyre. And guess what? - There back again in October.

Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk

Review two by Martin Stapleton / Pictures by Suzy Cook.

There is a buzz around the venue tonight which suggests that everyone present is expecting something a little bit special. The near sell-out crowd have obviously been enticed by the recent relentless hype that these four young Dundee lads have generated. That THE VIEW has began their debut headline tour at Esquires should be considered a real coup for promoters The Roar Club and with famous connections including Pete Doherty, Noel Gallagher, Mani and Bobby Gillespie, the tough early fences that normally face a band in the early stages of their career have been completely flattened in their charge into the big time! Is it deserved, or just a lot of hype and luck? Well, on tonight's performance, perhaps a bit of both.





The View have a natural stage presence - cocky, confident and assured. Their thick Scottish accents makes it hard to understand them at times, but it seems amicable and friendly as their devout fans loyally and incessantly chant 'The View, The View, The View are on Fire!'. But what of the songs? The obvious stand-out is the ultimate Disc Jockey put-down since Morrissey and Marr extolled the virtues of bringing back public execution for Dave Lee Travis and Simon Bates some twenty years ago. It's called 'Wasted Little DJs' and it's already a classic pop tune - a rich swirl of pure adrenalin soaked youthful exuberance somewhat reminiscent of The Only Ones 'Another Girl, Another Planet'. Tonight it naturally receives the loudest acknowledgement but it actually acts as a watershed for the set as I though pre 'Wasted Little DJs' The View were actually a little bit tepid and dull. However, the second half of the set was vibrant, exciting and played with real venom. Kyle (resplendent in a fetching Panama hat), Peter, Kieran and Steve had by the end of the evening managed to get everybody to party, mixing snappy and catchy hooks with bucketloads of attitude. Are these young guitar-slingers that future stars of the latter part of this decade? That's anyone's guess but I've got a feeling it is going to be fun finding out!

Support tonight comes firstly from ANTEC SONATA who, due to missing their holiday bound bass player, re-arranged their line-up to include Barbs on guitar with Jamie temporarily filling in on drums. Their instrumental and epic finale was the stand out of song of their set and arguably the evening - totally spaced out, blistering and dynamic.

Main support were FRUITION who were last seen here supporting The Rifles. They were richly entertaining that night and once again they don't disappoint. It's vibrant and bouncy sing-a-long pop-punk from the opening 'All Over Again' to the last strains of 'I've Got to Break Free' from the excellent 'Cavin' In', all brought to life by Peter Dayer-Smith's taut vocals and solid support from the rest of the band. Fruition are becoming a welcome sight at Esquires.