The Bedford Athletic Rugby Club Wentworth drive, Putnoe Bedford. Friday 25th November 2005.
Space Monki Mafia, The Fifth Quarter, Track Zero, Last Man Standing.
First Semi
SPACE MONKI MAFIA - (Heat 4 Winners), had the most fantastic crowd participation, a young band with their lil girl dancers in the crowd, as well as some Bedford hard core moshers giving it their all also. They certainly made the most of looking the part, with their face make up war paint, with the look and the crowd in their grasp making them a well-packaged band.
Their music shows they need a bit more tightening, their female singer not sounding strong enough and perhaps a bit too reliant on a heavy dosage of covers. - Well chosen covers though, with diverse ranges like 'Gay Bar', 'Do The Time Warp' and 'House Of The Rising Sun'. They do have some of their own songs in to the mix, with their devilishly catchy 'Rise' being one of them. Their main singer has a built in, on-stage presence and charm to carry this band further and go through to the 'New Band Final' on Fri 9th December.
After quite a slow start THE FIFTH QUARTER - (Heat 1 Winners), rolled on with a similar sounding set as usual, with Some people up front but many further back and not getting the most crowd attention and hearing people talking while they were playing. Not so from the Track zero crowd though, who don't usually come out of the bar, were seen to peep out to admire The Fifth Quarter. The heavier tracks went down better than slower blues tracks with the audience making me think that they have difficulty in making the transition from a smaller venue to a place like last nights packed gig.
The guitar work is awesome and a few tricks are displayed with playing it at different angles and even behind his head. The guitar work is ever more accentuated by having a somewhat plodding drum and bass beat to excel to. Perhaps more of a phenomenal guitarist than a complete band Unit.
TRACK ZERO - (Heat 6 Winners), Just wanted their C.D. intro to announce the bands arrival on to the stage for their huge conglomerate of away fans, they make a great crowd and are activated by the most energetic singer who doesn't stop moving and flies around the large stage with ease, on which there were some new songs announced; they have quite a variation of songs, with some that are most atmospheric and others that are more able to mosh to, although some songs at times seem too slow for the crowd to do anything with, while others - even some of the more blues edged songs are able to rouse a good crowd participation.
The Keyboardist forms quite an amazing part of this band, how does he get accuracy playing the keys while moving about so much? He even dives in to the crowd and leaps on to the shoulders of one of his friends in the crowd. - A great live performance!
Next up were LAST MAN STANDING - (Heat 8 Winners), who soon got crowd going mad. They have a Ska and mosh party swing to their sound with a front man that readily chats with the crowd making them feel welcome. Credit to their drummer also, who is seen to knock out a well-honed speedy rhythm. A few covers included 'No Women No Cry' and what I thought was an even better version of 'Stand By Me' - and well sung it was too.
At one point, the band gave a call out to the gorgeous barmaid (and later got her number ;-). Mention also was made to Joe's guitar from Blind Theory, which the band had to borrow last time. (Although Blind Theory did not get through - their guitar however did). It seemed no one could help move to this band, they deserve the crowds response as they are seen to move around and enjoying other bands sets on the bill.
In addition to a high volume crowd a high quality of bands a merchandise area for the bands and this time, a giant screen was added to display the live, filmed bands on show.
Review by Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk