Steve Conte And The Crazy Truth
with Genna Marabese, Long John Laundry, The Broadway Twisters.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Friday 12th April 2013.

What a fantastic night we had on the mainstage tonight, mainly courtesy of STEVE CONTE. He is a real survivor and character who totally epitomises rock 'n' roll. He is in Bedford for the very first time in his long and varied career playing with some of America's finest musicians. Although now in his late sixties, Steve Conte still looks the archetypal king of cool with his bleached and longish black hair and obligatory shades. Hailing from New York City, the greeting is typical "Hello Bedford UK"!
He starts with a song that he wrote when he was just 15! Considering the very poor turnout, his attitude and demeanour is so professional. It's as if he's playing to many thousands. The crowd who have bothered to attend add so much and there are copious amounts of dancing and clapping. STEVE CONTE AND THE CRAZY TRUTH are a trio who are, at present, working their way around the UK. Indeed, tonight's show is a tie in with the 100 Club in London with the line up we are witnessing doing a repeat performance tomorrow night. Steve introduces a "new one" which nobody would know "unless you came and saw one of our shows last week" he adds. They ooze sleaziness, garage punk 'n' roll with overtones of hair metal (well he is the guitarist in Michael 'Hanoi Rocks' Monroe's band!). An awesome combination. The sound is superb. The majority of the songs played tonight are from Conte's vast back catalogue, but I must make mention of a couple of covers performed. They are strange but hugely interesting additions, namely "Downtown" and Coxon's "Freakin' out".
The band take tracks from their eponymous debut album (so far their only release). I particularly enjoyed "This is the end", funnily enough the first song on the album, but sitting much better as the last one tonight. Although there are only about forty people here tonight, they do seem to be fully fledged and dedicated fans and are thankfully granted an encore. It's a real chance for Steve to have more fun. An interesting interpretation of "Get rhythm" is followed by this sometime New York Doll's chance to circulate around his fans, before crazily admitting that he can't play guitar anymore! So much so that he admits "this guys got me beat" and then it's time for a spin on the drums. Great entertainment from start to finish.

The support bands are all in keeping with tonight's fare (which is further enhanced by a vinyl DJ between bands). THE BROADWAY TWISTERS bring us quiffs and a double bass all the way from "the Southside of Northampton". Very fifties retro and hugely covers based. They would be an even more exciting proposition if they could write some of their own material. The stage presence is naturally dynamic. In the set, a Carl Perkins penned "True Love" sung by the drummer and the popular "Cheers for the cheers" are the highlights.

LONG JOHN LAUNDRY offer "nose bleed country and western"! Well, that's what frontman Tony told us at the start of the evening. He has a point as this seven piece band are both highly skilled as well as being truly instrumentally varied. My 'star player' has to be their wide eyed and manic percussionist. He will live long in the memory as he constantly swaps instruments at break neck speed. Firstly the large bongos get a good thumping before he takes hold of the maracas and gives them a good shake. A deft twist and tap of his tambourine completes his musical hat trick. With three guitarists churning out the steady hypnotic brew of a bluesy garage concoction, the added bonus of some excellent sax makes for a riveting set.

GENNA MARABESE completes the evening, ably assisted by her band. This talented singer songwriter provides a style close to that of PJ Harvey. Having a busy evening is Nick Mailing who completes his duties with LJL a few minutes previously and returns to double up in this five piece. As well as providing added strength in the guitar department, Genna also occasionally sits at her Korg keyboards for some of the gentler songs.