The Bedford Athletic Rugby Club Wentworth drive, Putnoe Bedford. Friday 20th October 2006.
Age Of Sin, Lizard Kiss, Firetype, Sandbuzzard.
Heat 7
A headless mannequin adorns the stage sporting the AGE OF SIN T-shirt on sale, they start with an instrumental before their singer, waiting in the wings makes his on stage entrance to good effect. They have a good ol sleazy, classy, r&r sound along with good guitarists who are top performers, putting on a real good show. Their singer confidently talking with the audience between songs.
I detect a trace of true professionalism with this band, in sounding so tight and with it, despite only a line check (arriving too late for a proper sound check) and thought it was good that this did not seem to phase them!
They have some recognisable old songs from other times I had seen them live and have also stepped up a gear with writing new material along with getting further gigs including London's 'Ruskin Arms' - where Iron Maiden started out.
Ac/dc, Guns n Roses, Aerosmith, Kravitz, Ramones - a real mixture of influences from these 17 to 21 year olds who know how to put on a live entertaining show. (and a tiger skin guitar!)
Just under 18 and pure rock influenced, Bedford band LIZARD KISS, friends from school who decided to put a band together had such a good crowd response, attracting people who want to mosh and have a good time. The vocals didn't seem to be going with it at times, with more excessive use of prominent drumming and great sliding guitars. I thought the band were altogether good, but pulled nothing out of the hat, being O.K but standard fare. Their 'Slither' - by Velvet Revolver would seem an awkward rendition to those familiar with the origional. The fans were forgiving and formed a conga like line vertically in front of the stage. Lizard Kiss also have a dirty sleazy sound and plenty of friendly banter with the crowd along with chants of "You fat bastard" to the drummer, warmly taking the jovial jibe.
A few mistakes and in need of a few polished touch ups which I can see will definitely come with practice. Shouldn't care too much though - they filled the room and wowed the crowd.
Our youngest band of the evening all 15, a Milton Keynes class act and surely the tightest act of the night. I think this particular performance was better than their recent gigs at The Pitz venue, their friends were just loving it and made for a good atmosphere and the track 'Lucey's Scrapbook from their C.D. going down well; would be interesting to see how well they would be received if playing to a room full of strangers to them. They made me think, 'If they are this good so young, then what will they be like in the future?'
One of the best guitarists of the night producing some amazing riffs and play. Huge talent all round with some added discrete and appreciated lil poses on stage. I think what grabbed me the most about FIRETYPE was the fact that despite the talented singer being a consummate performer, showman and entertaining, attention gaining, crowd rouser - there was absolutely NO egotism or unnecessary attitude.
A heavier Indy style and unadulterated class.
SANDBUZZARD back for another Ath. attack. 17 and formed at school with a very charismatic drummer singer/entertainer. The other vocalist when singing together, makes for a great sound for the band. They employ a lot of flange effects in with the wall of great sounding noise, surprising me how much sound can come from only a 3-piece outfit. Their slinky bass player moved well on stage adding much to the visual imputes. They bought with them a mixture of songs both old and new, with a more practiced and improved sound, which now removes the more punk edge that they used to have.
Your total attention and enthusiasm next for the 'AIR GUITAR ROUND' with introduction help from one of our sound techs. The no.1 entrant tried air bass while singing No.2 played enthusiastically as if on fire to a warmed up crowd and no.3 were a mix of Age Of Sin and fans. After a brief play off, the no. 2 went home the winner and with more cash than he came in with. Towards the end of the heats we will be asking all the winners to come back and play for the iPod grand prize.
Well Done to LIZARD KISS for getting through to Best New Band category and FIRETYPE for Heat winners.
Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk