'The Saint Presents' - Delphian Complex, Bell De Jour, The Fifth Quarter.

The Angel Broadway Bedford. Saturday 7th January 06.

(flyer)

The town seemed pretty deserted for its first weekend after the festive celebrations and I ventured fourth in to the hallowed saintly Angel for this particular line up; I quite like these mixed bag line-ups, which offers a bit of variety. The bands had drawn a good support, including some from Super Ego who were originally on the bill and usual frequenters of The Bear in Bedford to this 18+ venue with a crowd made up with out younger members of the Sunny Delight generation.

I have seen THE FIFTH QUARTER quite a few times now and felt they made the transition to this venue rather well. I heard the usual talk in the audience of people trying to guess their age. Their mainly blues fused sound included their own material along with their favourite influence Stevie Ray Vaughn and the obligatory Hendrix numbers. I had the distinct feeling that their received round of applause after each song was in no way aimed at just being the done and polite thing to do, but instead given as a total deserved appreciation of their exceptional talent! One of the best guitarists played at the Angel, and shame on the hassle he received by one of the promoters a few years ago at C85. Their set was received quite well with tapping feet and nodding heads from everyone enjoying their set.

BELL DE JOUR have had quite a few different incarnations with various elements and personnel, with gigs at Bar Citrus, The Corner House, The Park and London. It has a mainly vocal and keyboard constructed sound with a slight modern Goth edge. Their female guitarist blended to the sound quite well also, with the singer, playing guitar as well. There is some rather good singing here this time with a full band line up as opposed to some of the artists gigs featuring just vocals and keyboards.
The second to last song stood out quite well as having all the charm of a Victorian carol with a great structure and tune that I really wouldn't mind hearing again or owning a copy.

THE DELPHIAN COMPLEX have all the quality of a signed band I have seen them before at this venue a few years ago and picked up one of their C.D.'s They tour quite extensively and keep fans updated with their website and mail-outs. I find their easily accessible Indy styled sound a tad bland at times. An obvious effort is seen put in by all the band members creating an overall level perhaps best appreciated live, passing the time well but not quite pulling anything out of the bag to take the sound a step further.
I mentioned the 'obvious effort' earlier, well this continued through, never more so when the singer came off stage in a fit of floor thrashing on his knees armed with 'salvation army's' favourite weapon the tambourine.

It was good to see no yellow-bibbed security of the pre early 2005 Esquires calibre either, just polite and professional, which is just what's needed. With an intimate easygoing edge to the music line-up, I felt they were the right bands for the right venue. Although some band members were asking for volumes and levels to be tweaked the sound wouldn't have spoiled the night either.

Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk