DZ Deathrays, Hulkenburg, The Smokin' Durrys.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2. Sunday 21st September 2014.

Review 1 Luke Wain:

First up is a young band going by the name Smokin’ Durrys a simple but unusual name. Like a mix-matched couple they take to the stage as the drummer takes his stool, “tatts” out, the singer draped in a poncho takes his place up front. However there’s nothing mix matched about their music, this band mean business with songs; ‘Now She’s Gone’ and ‘Feeling Fuzzy’, the kind of sleazy blues with the vocals of a pissed off Elvis would write playing with the Wet Nuns. The drums thunder through the set at a relentless pace whilst the husky vocalist howls down the microphone venomously. At nine months old they’ve hit their 20th stage show and released three EP’s, needless to say these boys are wasting no time at all, and on their returns to Bedford (reportedly around Christmas) are a must see.

(Smoking Durrys © R.Fowler)

Clearly a theme to the night as the next two-piece, Hulkenburg take to the stage, describing themselves neatly as “Beards & Riffs” they do not lie. Much heavier than the previous they infuse pop with punk metal on the guitar giving the gathering support something to bounce to. The lyrics are screamed as their unique brand of screeching guitar and interesting rhythms reminds me of Pulled Apart By Horses and Cancer Bats love child. Steering clear of an easy to fall into mainstream sound the Hulkenburg duo crash in heavy breakdowns to send you flailing in every direction landing on the floor wondering what smashed you in the back of the head. The pair of Hulks pour effort and close attention to detail in their set, they visibly tire but they don’t allow that to effect the music. Unfortunately it’s their last gig as Mongolia awaits for the guitarist it appears, but they have EP’s available and I’m sure they’ll crash back through the doors of Esquires when he returns.



(Hulhenburg. Photo © R. Fowler)
A little further from home than the previous bands, the Australian high-flyers DZ Deathrays, their lighter sounds bodes well for the gathering audience as their thrash pop sound goes down a treat. The pair hold the reputation of a party band and that is visible as the front man never ceases to bounce to his music. Deserving of a larger crowd Bedford does it’s best to offer them what its got, however its not quite the same as playing in front of several thousand as they did at Reading. Despite a lighter tone there is a resemblance of Pulled Apart By Horses as the screams echo around the room. A playful cynicism in ‘The Mess Up’ and ‘Gina Works at Hearts’ brings sinister, tongue in cheek smiles all round. They also display their ability to lift the mood despite slowing the pace with the well written song ‘The Northern Light’, not long followed by new single ‘Black Rat’ from the new album sends the guitar screeching out and the addition of a second guitarist brings a fuller sound to the rhythm, allowing more freedom on lead guitar. DZ’s bring a party set list but unfortunately Bedford cannot quite match their levels, nevertheless the Aussie duo do not disappoint and similarly give it just as much as if the room was packed. Despite extensive touring for the previous six months the pair do not forget that people did come to see them so they came out to say hi to those who wanted to meet them, a nice end to a great night for local music and music in general.



(DZ Deathrays. Photo © R. Fowler)

Review 2 by Martin Stapleton

This reviewer has found September on the main stage here at Esquires very lacklustre and boring. The dreaded covers bands were here on two successive weekends. Thankfully normal service was resumed tonight with originality running right through this night of two man rock bands. We have a quintessential noise fest on our hands. This, for sure, will not be a sedate Sunday!

Headlining this Pad Presents show are DZ Deathrays. They hail from Brisbane, Australia and comprise Shane Parsons (vocals, guitar) and Simon Ridley (drums). They are also occasionally joined tonight by a rather mysterious additional musician. Coming as they do from the cricket mad state of Queensland and the famous gabba, did they really require the third man? Two piece noise exponents are very much in vogue and previous Esquires visitors Royal Blood (22/2/14) are on the front cover of NME this week. The Brighton duo are very much the press darlings of the moment. Although based with an underground profile, from a personal point of view, DZ Deathrays are a much more exciting combination. NME has recommended it in their Going Out section and this is a gig to get my musical tastebuds salivating and ultimately I am not to be disappointed.

When I witnessed the wild Aussies at The Horn in St Albans last month the audience reaction was infinitely more manic. Here in Bedford it is very polite by comparison, but appreciated at all times. The duo, segment their set list, perfect for those of us who like it in chronological order. They open with three tracks from their spring 2012 album "Bloodstreams" with the velocity of a Mitchell Johnson bouncer. They smack us right between the eyes with "No sleep". Some psychedelic weirdness then gets quickly vacuumed into the heavy riffage that is "Cops capacity". Making up a natural split between the albums comes with an airing of "The mess up". Anyone who remembers this 2008 composition may recall the accompanying video which showed Simon and Shane consuming vast quantities of shots before then projecting their stomach contents into each others faces! Needless to say, drink plays a big part in this band's arsenal. Indeed, a friend showed me a copy of their booze filler rider requirement. For the record, it has been recorded that Simon is partial to a scotch and ginger while Shane loves a Sailor Jerry.

18th August saw the release of the band's second album "Black rat". DZ Deathrays perform six of the eleven tracks for us, beginning with "Northern lights". It seems to define the more polished and melodic sound that they are trying to move towards, the lyrics "getting lost in future thoughts" herald a new dawn. For those who prefer an adrenaline fuelled rush, "Ocean exploder" is the perfect fix. Distortion reverberates around on this primal offering. DZ Deathrays are content to let their music do all the talking as they say very little. Sweat drips off them both and faces are often obscured by shaggy mops of hair. For lovers of angry and raw sounds this is such a perfect evening. Thrashy overtures vie with funky punk on "Reflective skull". My favourite track from "Black rat", namely "Gina works at hearts", is their new single and the final offering tonight. Ultra catchy on a first listen, it becomes vastly superior when being blasted out just a few yards in front of me. Phew! It's been a fantastic set and DZ Deathrays have been inspiring and satisfying in equal measure.

Opening the gig are the wonderfully named The Smokin' Durrys. I don't know how they thought of it, but coincidentally for our Australian visitors, a durry is a slang term in Western Sydney for a cigarette. It also means an Indian rug, which may or may not be the reason that the guitarist / vocalist is initially wearing a flamboyantly coloured and embroidered blanket! Hailing from Falmouth, tonight represents the final leg of a short tour of the country. Thanks to a recent edition of Classic Rock magazine, I am familiar with at least one song by this Cornish duo. The publication reckoned that these lads "make enough racket for 17 dudes and a cement mixer". They ply heavy blues fuelled rock 'n' roll and, wary of their growing reputation, ask us "How's yer hearing?". They are proud to state that considering they've "only been together for nine months" and "this is the 20th stage" they have been on. Songs of note include "Barking dog", which hints at early White Stripes, and the aforementioned magazine CD track entitled "Should've known better". "Now she's gone" eases us in gently with some wistful ripples of guitar before the scorched earth throaty howl of "ain't going away" echoes around the room. "Walk right to the blues" is dynamically infused with some beefed up retro garage rock. An ear bending hypnotic riff dominates "Done gone blues". A long way from home, I hope this band made a few new friends and left with some good memories. I was certainly a fan.

It may be a while before we see local rock duo Hulkenburg on the stage again as guitarist Mikey Warr is soon to depart for a three monthy trek around Mongolia, China and surrounding areas. I will await to see what influences, musical or otherwise, he gathers on this long journey. The set list of songs we have heard these past few months is replicated superbly. According to the duo, supporting DZ Deathrays is "pretty sweet", indeed "welcome to the funtime"! A reassuring barrage of Terry's scattergun drums dovetail the scything guitar blitz that bombards all known brain cells. The velocity is uncompromising with these hirsute guys. Safe journey Mikey, at least it will give us time for our ear drums to recover.

DZ Deathrays set list

No sleep, Cops capacity Dollar chills, The mess up, Northern lights, Less out of sync, Ocean exploder, Black rat, Reflective skull, Gina works at hearts.