Brigade, Thrinacie Sky, Blind Theory.

Esquires Level 2 Bedford. Saturday 1st October 05.

(info flyer)

I think the BLIND THEORY boys would be disappointed if they didn't get a review on this site. They are a conscientious hard working band who like to have views on their performance and are well practiced enough to be as available for gigs as they can. These pre gig piza fueled guys sometimes skateboard to the venue, or can be seen pushing their supermarket trolley of equipment to their gigs and I know their home band practice shed gets a fair amount of usage.
Their drummer put in another faultless performance always adding a bit of flair to his more than competent style and despite a few long faces of concentration from their guitarist and singer, seemed to be having fun on stage at the same time, at one point playing back to back, each supporting each other while people up front were reaching to pull their legs from under them and make them topple, which added a fun part to the proceedings. Their lead guitarist plays exceptionally well (despite wearing a tie!) with his new quite oversized instrument, while their bass player seemed to have more quantity of the singing from what I remember from seeing before, but not quite the quality to go with it and needs to belt out some louder enthused vocals. Other vocals are supplied by the other guitarist who seems more of a front man to the band, calling a command for people to come more up front and throwing some well moved shapes while playing. I thought at one point he was going to get his head stamped on while writhing on the floor at one point.
I think with just a bit more polish they could shine up their performance well and appear to show improvement with each gig.

There are some well played characters in THRINACIE SKY they haven't played that many gigs, but can easily induce a busy mosh pit and have a ready made fan-base that turn up to their gigs. I'm not sure that they are in to live music that much though as they always seem to shoot off after they have seen the band they have came to see; perhaps get Thrinacie Sky to headline gigs to keep the crowd in for the bigger acts would be the only solution, after all more people had came to see the first two bands more than the main band judging by the door tally on the night.
The band have a tight heavy sound and a main part is their charging bull powerhouse of a lead singer who is a musical instrument in him self, with an amazing range of loud power fuelled vocals at his disposal.
Consistently good drumming and guitars ads to the polish of this bands performance and lends to an energetic gig, both on stage and on the mosh floor.

If the first two bands required that extra polish I mentioned earlier, then BRIGADE are more well polished than the front plate on the main door of the Mr. Sheen factory!
I didn't go to their gig knowing what to expect and was won over and impressed with the heaviness and all the energy they put in to it. The drummer pounded his drums through gritted teeth and added to their heavy sound, I thought they had some quite good material as well and demonstrate that they can certainly get on with it and deliver the goods. A heckler up front shouted "get your top off" to which the singer (the brother of Charlie Simpson from Busted) replied that he didn't want to expose his extra long nipple hair.
One extra twist to the tale, when I got home I found that someone had planted a Brigade sticker on my back! The band turned out O.K. though so I didn't mind. - That's another band sticker for the bedroom doorJ!

Keith - www.bedfordmetal.co.uk

Review Two

Back at Esquires to end a week of great live music.
The night started with local lads Blind Theory representing the pop punk scene. Not seen the guys for a while, I think they've been practicing. And rightly so, they use to sound pretty rough and slack but there hard work has paid off as they now sound like a much more mature and improved band. They still have a little way to go until they can start moving up the line up and to the bigger crowds, but they've got a number of gigs lined up in the coming weeks, which will do them good. As far as atmosphere goes, it was a bit lacking. Although the Blind Theory crew was out in good number, the dance floor was about as active as a dead cat regardless of the best efforts of the band. I don't think it was helped by the gaps between songs. It would help if they just got up there, played the songs and kept it moving with less chit chat. They finished their set with the trademark 'Dammit' cover, which went down well and got the loyal few at the front jumping and being silly.
*** A good performance from an improving band, but I feel the best is yet to come.

Second on was Thrinacy Sky. Not exactly my taste in music and a world away from the opening band but they clearly had a following with them that emerged from somewhere and proceeded to put the dance floor to good use. They were very impressive and are good at what they do but like I say, a bit heavy for me and sound like a lot of other bands about at the minute. Needless to say they stole the night and their crowd was worth paying to see (rather you then me). Dunno what else to say, I guess if you like bands that make you want to kill everyone else on the dance floor then they are for you but it's not my thing.
** Not my thing but if it floats your boat then I'm sure you'd be more impressed.

The headliners for the night were Brigade, featuring Charlie from Fighstar/Busteds older brother. I'm sure they must get sick of being introduced like that but what ya gonna do?
Typically I will compare them to Fightstar. They're better then Fightstar, live at least. I caught some of Fightstar at Reading and they were poor live. Brigade is the better band live and the drummer stood out to me as being excellent, I didn't find myself blown away by them and it was all very samey. Their songs just weren't really catchy enough and if I was to hear one of their songs now I wouldn't know it. Also a little disappointingly, the crowd that magically appeared for Thrinacy Sky also magically disappeared by the time Brigade took to the stage, and although people moved slightly forward for them there was little movement.
***Not bad but not great.
All in all it won't go down as the greatest night ever and the highlight for me was seeing the return of a new improved Blind Theory. (I also successfully stuck a Brigade sticker on Keith's back without him noticing).

(Ha mystery solved! - Ed.) Reviewed by Tysoe for Bedford Metal.