Bedford Alternative Music Presents: The Acoustic Showcase 2 of 2.
Alex Jones & Ryan Bridges, Lisa Henderson Toby Isaacs & Aaron, Jason Broder & Cat, Matt Young & Al Beveridge, Phil Romeo Michael & Ben. (from Ex-Nihilo, HeKz, Scratchplate, Kill The Image, The Noise Theory)
2 of 2.

Bedford Esquires Holy Molys Lev 1 Thursday 22nd March 2012.

Review by Martin Stapleton Photos (c)Bedford Alternative Music 2012.

BEDFORD ALTERNATIVE MUSIC tonight presented the second of its two acoustic evenings.
Headlining is a returning familiar face from the recent past whose name is PHIL ROMEO and he used to play with what could be described as a raucous rock band called EX-NIHILO. You can imagine my surprise when I read recently in The Biggleswade Chronicle that this gentleman was into something completely different. (A quick comment had to be made to KEITH), he had just completed an album that could be very loosely described as alternate melodic progressive rock. It’s called THE COLOUR OF MADNESS, copies are on sale tonight from ‘PHILL’S SHOPPE’. His mother even did the artwork. Hopefully he shifted a few because he sold them at a discount in recognition of the help that ‘BEDFORD METAL’ (now B.A.M.) had done for him. Although he plays a few acoustic songs from the album, he admits that its such a crossover to do them acoustically and give them real justice, given the expansive nature of the album’s recordings. Substituting for an electronic keyboard is his mate MICHAEL, who is quite amazing as the human vocal beat box. The bass heavy sounds are powered constantly from his lungs and mouth! Also helping out on guitar is BEN. Unfortunately, due to the slight over-running of the show, PHIL’s set had to be curtailed a little. A shame, but it did give us a real flavour of how this very talented musician has developed over the years.

Another name from a few years back also graced us with his musical prowess. JASON BRODER was formerly a member of SCRATCHPLATE and tonight he is joined by the divine vocal skills of CAT – (I think that was her name, apologies if I have got that wrong).
Their contrasting combination produces a smooth acoustic friendly soulful bluesy hip hop odyssey.
JASON produces the rapping, while CAT provides the perfect chanteuse accompaniment. Judging by the loud cheers of approval, most people here tonight have come to see this duo. Indeed, CAT genuinely seems surprised at the reaction, it’s the only time that she looks nervous! Her sultry, yet gutsy singing, certainly strikes a salient chord and breaks up, at least for this reviewer, JASON’s rather repetitive rapping which got a bit heavy at times.

MATT YOUNG and AL BEVERIDGE certainly need no introduction to most people here. The ‘SCREAMING DEMON’ freely admits that he normally plays with a band (HEKZ) well renowned for their ‘wearing of tight trousers’! AL is slylishly attired and ‘parks’ his jacket around the high chair that he is perched on. Despite the goading comments of a slightly high spirited member of the audience, MATT and AL stick rigidly to the covers path and wow, what a varied journey it is to be. I can certainly vouch for the fact that URIAH HEAP seldom get a mention at Esquires! The highlight of the set, and for me the whole night, has to be their rendition of THE MOODY BLUES classic NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN. Without being too gushing in praise, this cover was excellent. Also joining the lads for a tune is ROBBY MILNER who jams with a bit of BLACK SABBATH.

From KILL THE IMAGE, we had the following trio of LISA, TOBY and AARON. Seated, they spun out a mixture of covers and their own material showcased at a slower pace. The latter stems from their recent E.P. release, DANCE WITH YOUR DEMONS. Although naturally they appeared a touch nervous, they carried their set off with total aplomb.

RYAN and ALEX are normally to be found in THE NOISE THEORY. Again nerves were a big factor. Holy Molys is a very intimidating room. Fifty-plus eyes staring at you and the bright lights do dazzle. The duo seem a lot more self assured when they perform their spoken word song which is a lyrically ‘trippy’ tribute that is FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS. It seems to place them at ease as everybody smiles at the oh so wacky lyrics.

On reflection, and as someone who watches a lot of acoustic music, I can honestly say that the standard of the artists appearing for the two acoustic evenings has been good. Not in their natural habitat, it’s been on the whole for most, like being a fish out of water. They all adapted well and hopefully these evenings can be repeated sometime soon. Mention must also be made of sound engineers LIAM and JAMES BON who, in the most testing of conditions, coped very well.

Reviewed by Martin Stapleton.

Bedford Alternative Music Presents: The Acoustic Showcase 1 of 2. Danny Young, Liam Circuit and Romano Wiseman, Leon Bratt, Sam Neighbour (from Speedshot, EnvyFour, Enraged Horizon)

Bedford Esquires Holy Molys Lev 1 Thursday 15th March 2012.

Review by Martin Stapleton Photos (c)Bedford Alternative Music 2012.

Always renown for their tireless promotion of local bands, tonight BEDFORD ALTERNATIVE MUSIC for the first time ever (I think) dipped their toes into the calm acoustic waters. In fact music fans why pay the well over priced ten to fifteen pounds admission fee to pump up the vastly inflated egos of many long forgotten rockers when just a measly two pounds gains you access to the youngsters who create and play purely from their heart. Unfortunately, Lutons DAN SHORT is not to join us tonight. For whatever reason (none given or an apology ed), we are not to sample his solo fayre.

Opening up this first ever B.A. ACOUSTIC EVENING is an old hand in a very loose sense of the word. DANNY YOUNG is the frontman of those powerhouse rockers commonly known as SPEEDSHOT. Since Holy Molys opened as an acoustic venue, I have witnessed many musicians struggle with an acute attack of nerves, no such worries for DANNY. He stands confidently, wearing a marvellously decorated shirt, stridently charging headfirst into his set. He culls covers from a classic rock base, but does find time to feature one of his band’s songs. Skilled and effortlessly supreme.

From ENVY FOUR is LIAM CIRCUIT, who is joined by his cousin and sometime band mate ROMANO WISEMAN. LIAM has for the past few weeks worked tirelessly on the sound desk for BEDFORD ALTERNATIVEs showcase nights. At present, he is studying a College Tech course. This duo have certainly been taken out of their comfort zone and initially sit very unsteadily on their stools. Nervous and introverted, its only when half way through their set, ROMANO stands up to make his presence felt. The shackles are loosened and the duo seem more relaxed. The latter stages sees a real turnaround as the crowd start singing in unison and even hand tapping on the wooden tables.

What an utter revelation LEON BRATT turns out to be. According to KEITH, he has been specially FLOWN IN FROM MAULDEN! Last seen here fronting ENRAGED HORIZON, LEON also oozes confidence. With a nod to the Mumfords and Mraz, its his own composition that makes my ears prick up to attention. Entitled STUCK IN A RUT, it sums up everyones lifes daily drudgery. Basically same shit, just a different day. IT’S HOW THE WORLD WORKS.
This slow song is sung from the heart, it also contains a whistling outro. LEON admits so honestly that as this is the first time that he has whistled on it he thought that it would make it HALF DECENT but wonders whether to keep it or not. For what it is worth, this reviewer would say let it stay. A speeded up cover of a NATTY composition finishes off my highlight of the evening.

The reason why we are here tonight is down to one man – MR SAM NEIGHBOUR. He specifically asked KEITH for an acoustic gig and the evening was then formulated. Although the time is getting rather late, the audience are not letting go of SAM until he has sung his stuff. SUNRISE has nothing at all to do with SIMPLY RED. This fast song also possesses a slight summery Reggae lilt. MR NEIGHBOUR is in his early twenties with short, swept back mousey coloured hair. A check shirt is open, exposing a white T shirt. A knotted silk scarf hangs limply off the neck of his guitar. Oh yes, and as well, girls, he’s single! The latter comment refers to PROMISE (IVE NOT GIVEN UP), a slow one that garners so much by support by an enthusiastic crowd who clap and cheer loudly, all this on an acoustic night. Hey! As they used to say at all the big darts tournaments, best of order please! Yes the people here, and theres a lot, are having so much fun. PLANES is a change for SAM to show off his skills on the harmonica while crooning: OH THOSE SMILES TURNS TO FROWNS.

A cover of GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY is the perfect chance for SAM to wear his stylish and spectacular cowboy hat. His closing moments find him strumming on the beloved mandolin, CAUSE EVERYBODYS GOING TO DANCE AROUND TONIGHT. They sure did!

Martin Stapleton www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk