The Curfew Club Presents: Curfew 4. - LATERALA, ED BOWFINGER, WILL DELLBRIDGE.
The Cavalier Club Barbers Shop Harpur St. Bedford. Wednesday 6th April 2016.
There are, on this pleasant Wednesday evening, panic scenes in the middle of Bedford town centre. Remnants of smoke billow from a nasty roof fire. Fire engines are in attendance and no admittance is allowed through the main road. If this gig had been happening in 44 Harpur Street then I am sure it would have been cancelled as that is almost right opposite to all the activity. Thankfully we are in the Barber Shop and everything is good to go.
With not a delay or hitch, WILL DELLBRIDGE fronts up to the microphone at approximately 8.15pm. This tall fella dons a smart hat. Will raises a question, ‘Who’s heard of Jack Garratt?” Only one person is brave enough to answer in the affirmative, although I am sure most people present know of that particular Buckinghamshire based singer songwriters credentials. Anyway, we are presented with a cover of ‘Worry’. Will soars with ‘Its Not Me, It’s You’. His own composition tells the story of an ex-girlfriend of whom he describes as “a slut!” Those harsh worded lyrics are suddenly twisted into a “lovey-dovey” love song. During one of the more quieter and reflective moments of Will’s set a clatter of falling bottles is to be heard, breaking the developing ambience. Mr Dellbridge calmly reassures by saying “don’t worry, nobody noticed.”
EDDIE from BOWFINGER is in Bedford. Sprightly of feet and coming as he does from Luton he is resplendent in a now trademark cap. His home town is, we are told, a sore point at present. ‘Lucky Jim’ lifts our spirits, “standing in the rain, its the English way”. Ed admits that it’s about a year since he last performed a solo gig. He misses his three bandmates (Iain, Barry & Dave). Ed spins a montage of the popular catchy Bowfinger songs, occasionally he veers off kilter, such as ‘That Day’. This was written “two or three years ago” but “has not been played live”. With a mischievous glint in this fair haired man’s eye he elaborates further “there might be a reason for that!” The familiar Bowfinger standard ‘38’ is “jazzed up”, well eventually when it’s in the right key! Tonight this is your lucky number. The mere thought of playing in a Barber Shop appeals to Ed and to further accentuate his thrill he throws out a teasing question to the audience by asking “Fast or slow?” For his next song ‘Flower’ is the latter. Very visual on his performance of ‘Action Girl’, it comes with a sharp “1..2..3..4!” He then sings “maybe we can share a glass of wine?” If it was Sunday I surely would!
One of The Curfew Club’s chief aims is to put bands in a different situation. LATERALA certainly ticked all the right boxes, a heavy rock band stripped down to its barest acoustic credentials. They presented their musical portfolio in its most minimalist form. To my ears they triumphantly succeeded. It sure is a tight squeeze on the floor room ‘stage’. Seating is taken up by four members of this Bedfordshire five-piece. Unlucky Bujj looks as though he has drawn the short straw. He stands behind one of the tall speakers so unfortunately is pretty well obliterated from view! He’s almost the naughty schoolboy of the band. Thankfully his energised fingers ignite the guitar.
Laterala effortlessly flick through their back catalogue of songs as well as introducing some brand new material. ‘Dick Punch’ keeps the older fans happy. Stef, restrictively seated savours the moment as she vocally chastises “say what you can, say what you like, you’re not going to see the end of me.” Although totally and utterly musically emasculated by this rather bizarre set up, Laterala adapt well and they are certainly helped by sound man Mash who cranks up the level and keeps it totally pristine. I feel this is not so much a gig as more than a bit of fun for a band who hopefully will get back on track in 2016. ‘Burn’ crackles with anger, “let’s burn down this mother” Stef furiously shouts. With an enhanced cajon to supplement the guitarists ‘Art Seduction’ explodes with a fury not thought at all possible in this small room. It’s my favourite of the set. As a way of saying thank you, Laterala’s encore is a “guilty pleasure,” well that’s what James described it as. ‘Stacey’s Mom’ is performed with a lot of smiling faces on show. With my mosh boots not needed for tonight I leave the shop with applause ringing around, elated, chilled and happy almost as if I had just received a massage from a guru!! ...or was that Rachel Hunter in disguise!!
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk