Last Ditch Attempt, Apple Shift Seven.

Dannys Bar Lev 1 Esquires Bedford. Friday 10th January 2014.

"Diseasy living", "The man with the golden gurn" and "Uber kerblammo" are just some of the wacky titles that APPLE SHIFT SEVEN have come up with to name their past EP's and albums. Tonight in the Esquires bar is a refreshing welcome back for this highly popular and ever lively punk-based MK band. The trio supply plenty of snappy and amusing between song banter. It's nice to report that they continue to appear not to take themselves too seriously.

It's been a considerable time since I last saw AS7, 2011 in fact. This was at The Craufurd Arms supporting Cerebral Ballzy and The Smoking Hearts. A smattering of early arrivals are given short shrift. "Is this the whole of Bedford?" the band ask as they begin with "Click-click". They are not afraid to take an early risk as the brand spanking new "Love poverty" follows in quick fashion. The guitarist is worthy of note as he is wearing a T-shirt with the word "HELLO" on it with a picture of Lionel Richie's head instead of an O! He appears to be somewhat of a keen late seventies retro fan as he also sports a bubble perm which was heavily favoured at the time.

AS7's lyrics sum up the energetic vibe of a Friday evening; "I'm getting ready to go out and I'm getting ready to scream and shout". These lads are not "Too old to care". "Why would I lie" fully encapsulates the frenetic feel good factor of catchy repetitive riffs and amusing dumbed down lyrics. Apple Shift Seven are just the boosting tonic that this reviewer needed to cure the post-Christmas blues, especially when they ask who or what is the "Bisty boss"? On reflection though, they concede that "it sounds better on record"! Although punk in spirit, "Your mum" contains tangible elements of a Cure bassline. Their jaunty jinks continue apace as they introduce, all too briefly, the most awkward percussion instrument ever. AS7 enquire "is there anyone here who can play a tambourine?". The fellas jokingly admit that this song "drags on a bit" as "it's over four minutes"! Thankfully "Flip flops" arrives short and sharp. "Meat raffle" mischievously brings to mind that this song could have been dedicated to a certain Bedford music promoter. Meat was never actually available on offer though, Ron Sayer CD anyone? Ah, Apple Shift Seven are just "Trying to be nice" as they finish their set with "Living on the edge (Of the middle)" and "Temporary". A quick return to Bedford is hotly anticipated.

This evening LAST DITCH ATTEMPT are playing their second ever gig. They are a heavy five piece who have a vocalist who is certainly not static. His unorthodox and weird 'dancey' moves give rise to a considerable amount of comment from some of the audience. This perhaps needs to be rethought, is it Astbury or Axl? His growl / croon fits in well when required with a band who are, perhaps at present, not quite sure which path they are following on the rock and metal route. Slightly 'jack of all trades', one ponders what they will settle on. The seething menace of Machine Head or the frothy frivolity of Iron Maiden? On the plus side, they don't waste time or faff around between songs and it is all delivered in a tight professional manner. This is always commendable at the early stages of a band's life. "The train song" stands out because it does sound "a little like a train"!