The Bedford Athletic Rugby Club Wentworth drive, Putnoe Bedford. Friday 22nd September 2006.
Valen Tone, 91 Pieces, Gain.
Heat 4
The opening band VALEN TONE are the sort of band that are musically good enough for you to want to listen to a C.D. at your own leisure and not just seeing them live. Although musically good they were vocally poor, but played tuneful atmospheric guitar work with interestingly written music that sounds older in experience than you would expect from their age, which range from 16-20 and influenced by Jimmy Eats World, Chilly Peppers and Metallica. I'm sure an older discerning as well as younger age group would like this bands sound.
They have quite laid back indy like vocals and a guitarist with a great stage presence, looking the part, with long flapping hair and moving well on stage with bursts of fantastic guitar rhythm and the vocals definitely got better as they went on, becoming more confident. The songs dragged on towards the end, but there was a healthy mosh pit and even a wall of death induced by the band and good crowd interaction.
One of the worst bands Iv ever seen on their first short set visit, rising from the ashes of Go-Nad, 91 PIECES , have much improved and added a bit more polish to their band. Too much 'backs to the crowd' and a horrible sound to the vocals they make a fantastic old school punk band and not the more modern pop punk variety. They had loads of band merchandise, including lighters to hold aloft at gigs. No real tunes, a ruined cover and a 'we don't care what we sound like' air about them, they cannot be accused of not having the correct punk attitude. Perhaps more songs could be played with a little less banter, but with such a huge adoring crowd, who could blame them. It's all on performance and with enthusiasm they put everything in to an entertaining show.
The Moment GAIN came on stage, the front row got naked and moshed heartily. The band later admitted it was one of, if not their best ever gigs, certainly crowd reaction wise! They started with a good instrumental intro before the classy rock tunes were played. With one from their new C.D. at the beginning, a few classics of theirs in between like 'Faster', 'Throwing My Life' and 'Why' and ending with the last two tracks from their new C.D. The crowd showed a wild reaction and especially Tuffin who got his own shout outs from the crowds. A great gig.
As well as all this, there was in place also the popular interest gained 'Air Guitar Compettion in which participants get to take home a crate of beer or a cash prize if they win and get through to the next round. Some great stars have been made through this and previous winners come back to demonstrate what has to be done for the new entrants. The judging takes place from a parting of the waves in the crowd who go to one contestants side or the other, with the largest crowd side winning. Overall a great evening. And all this for just a FIVER!
Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk