The Bedford Athletic Rugby Club Wentworth drive, Putnoe Bedford. Friday 9th December 2005.
Heartbeat Assassins, The Tease, The Dilenquents.
New Band final
Heartbeat Assassins - (From Heat 4) This band puts everything in to the bands songs and performance, with some eccentric movements from their charismatic guitar playing front man, the guitarist, displays a lot of on stage confidence and played a cover of Alkaline Trio's 'Private Eye' which I particularly wanted to listen to.
Although they put on a good on-stage performance, they still have to acquire more of their own tunes under their stage belts, as I felt they don't seem to have any main melodic tunes. You cant say that they are lazy with putting energy in to a live show though and would be wide appealing to a rock, pop punk and indy crowd in the same room.
The Tease - (From Heat 2) Total class, total passion and totally ripped jeans, go to make up this band with a really good and confident front man. The way he just moves around on stage and delivers an in tune great sounding vocal demonstration adds to the touch of class, even their slower track left me wanting a copy to listen to again. These were on and off the 'New Band Final' list for a while as they were at one point thinking of splitting up. I am sure I can say for everyone that sees this band "Thank goodness they didn't!".
The Dilenquents - (From Heat 1) With their blood stained T-shirt bass guitarist and a powerhouse of vocals, these proved to be popular with the crowd at these gigs.
With their Misfits influenced sound, they created a mosh pit of people that sometimes do not have much crowd participation mixed in with the odd explosion of movement. At times I thought 'Do you want to play or just talk to the crowd'? - Well they do both well, while their skeletal gloved bassist plays with his cheeky grin, the singer/guitarist confidently engages the crowd with strong vocals and crowd banter.
Scar My Eyes - (From Heat 8) Had to send their belated apologies due to an accident, but let me lay any fears to rest, we know they couldn't help it and that they can deliver, so we will be happy to have Scar My Eyes back for any future gigs!
That didn't make an early end to the night by a long chalk though! - even the bar staff shut shop and let us carry on through the evening. It was the end of the 'Best New Band' competition, with 'The Tease' as unanimous winners.
'The Heartbeat Assassins were 1st Runners up with a check for 100 generously presented by one of our judges representing the Sid Worth Memorial Trust Fund.
Vouchers were presented to our second runners up to 'The Dilenquents'.
Other welcome band members in the crowd were spotted and asked if they would like to perform to round off the evening including a jam type session with various people including 'Drawing Of The Four' members, 'Blackout' gave us a few numbers, as did the next days finalists 'HeKz' who always display stunning melodic guitar work and have a guitarist that must by now be an expert on venue ceilings from playing while being carried high by the crowd!
Review by Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk