The Bedford Athletic Rugby Club (The Ath.) Bedford. Friday 9th November 2007.
The Measure, Scar My Eyes, Firetype, Ex-Nihilo, Minimal Damage.
Semi Final 2
With a chance to headline at their first heat THE MEASURE opened tonight's semi-final at the Ath. A four piece band who worked the people up front well, They have a professional sound which easily ads a party vibe in an Enter Shikari/New Groove Formation (popular local happy bands) kind of way and the sort of band that the other Bedford venue will no doubt be overplaying shortly.
One of their singer guitarists dressed the part in a Dickensian Victorian style attire to add some character to what I thought was a good way to start a show. They easily won their previous heat and I had had high expectations for them tonight.
With knees bent and torso's thrust forward in typical metal band guitarist's style of pose. SCAR MY EYES next, having played the pubs and small venues are now about to embark on gigs with bigger bands, they have worked hard and gained an ever increasing following who seem eagerly anticipated and enjoyed by a lot of Bedford Metal gig fans. Their previous C.D was quite exceptional although even though some of their songs on their live set are really good, others tend to be not so memorable. Their style seems a mish mash of half load of noise and half technical decent guitar sections. I thought this was one of their best performances yet, it was well practiced and flowed seamlessly along and compliment to them - well timed as well!
FIRETYPE seemed quite unorganised tonight, and their dodgy lead didn't help either, they coped remarkably well though with a stand in drum solo until they were issued with a decent guitar lead. Their crowd response as ever was high and their singer with pixie like features gave his entertaining all as ever.
I really enjoyed their jazzy pieces to their songs, they have some great material and keep adding new tracks to their repertoire to keep them fresh. They have a great new C.D. out (to be reviewed by us soon) and some tracks from it along with older classics were performed. They sometimes even have a vote with their audience as to what they want to hear next. - A fine wide appealing band oozing charm and talent.
EX-NIHILO have now gone from showing us how good they are to telling us and appear whey too cocky in the process.
This band demonstrated their metal core sound to quite an up for it lively following from the crowd and audience participation was high. I thought it was good that they mix a few slower sections and varied vocals to their songs to show diversity, - not that much though, as this band have a predominantly 'in ya face' heavy approach.
Taking us back to the party vibe style bands now with MINIMAL DAMAGE with no less than 7 players on stage - and more to come, as some quite pretty girlies graced themselves on to the stage adding a 'Panz People' or 'Legs n Co' (ask ya mums) presence. Is this a band gig or a miss world contest?
This is quite a musical band who look as if they are really enjoying what they are doing. Their first song is a sort of comedy cartoon themed anthem with a bouncy beat adding to their ska twanged tone.
The rap like vocals are kind of 'spat out' in the way he sings them. I still think this band is a little rough round the edges but considering that they haven't been going long and with band member changes along the way its perhaps not surprising. Local band Stepping Over Jenny with a similar style have always been popular and with Minimal Damages twin saxophone attack and lady trumpeter this outfit will give any Bedford ska band a run for its money! - Especially after more experience and practice.
The Measure
For more photos of this gig see 'Gig photos' button at top.
Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk