DREADZONE,
with Karl Phillips And The Midnight Ramblers.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Saturday 13th October 2012.

Some of us regular Esquires attendees often like to use a phrase when describing bands that are not always to our total liking. "They are very good at what they do, but it is not our thing!" This terminology sprang to use on witnessing tonight's headliners DREADZONE. . With the pungent and aromatic smell of all things 'erbal striking one's eyes and nose upon entering the car park, the full flavour of the evening's entertainment had been set.
Dreadzone were formed out of the ashes of Big Audio Dynamite back in 1993. Original member Greg Roberts is still at the helm, also with his old BAD colleague Leo Williams. From the band's early beginnings they immediately struck a chord with many anarchist ravers. Perfect for that time, they latched onto the generation who found comfort and inspiration in world music and acid jazz. The bass heavy sound added the supreme euphoria.
As they arrive at Esquires, Dreadzone are on the second date of their extensive nationwide autumn tour. The venue is packed, buzzing and sold out. The age range varies but it's very much 'white man's reggae'. Judging by the turnout of this particular crowd, the party atmosphere arrives from the very start with "Tomorrow never comes". MC Spee does all the communicating. Always friendly in his banter except when he states "No more gangsters", the sinister glint in his eye and menacing stare could rival even Wilko Johnson! He reckons he knows a few though. The mace that he clutches throughout gives full effect. Dreadzone fuse technology with lithe human rhythms, their dub bass colliding with skankin' dance beats guitar. The bubbling electronics are fully united by the energetic MC'ing and the sweet reggae vocals, courtesy of the hugely respected Earl 16.
With some six studio albums to their name (indeed "Second Light" from the mid nineties was cited by the legendary DJ John Peel as one of his favourite ever albums), they mix and match their vast back catalogue. Tonight has something for everybody. The ska sounds of "For A Reason" plus the sampled intro to "American Dread" feature from their last recording, 2010's "Eye On The Horizon". "Life, Love and Unity" is dedicated to the many old time 'Dreadheads'. OK, so Bedford Esquires is certainly not, say Maker Heights on the Rame peninsula in south east Cornwall, but these long time festival favourites seem to be rather enjoying themselves on the cramped confines of our stage. However, Dreadzone are looking forward to 2013 and returning to the great outdoors, except as one person points out (loudly) "the weather"! At present another album is in progress. The title is yet to be decided but we are treated to a version of "Rise Up" which is to be included. Also played for the very first time live is "Man In A Suit". After these tasters a treat arrives for the party people with the sounds of "Zion Youth" from 1995. Sadly for this enthusiastic crowd, the ending arrives rather unexpectedly as Dreadzone encounter laptop problems at the start of "Little Britain"! They do try and rectify these issues but the show aborts with no encore. One does wonder why these very talented musicians could not have done something acoustically? A very patient and fun loving audience perhaps deserved better? Having said that, Dreadzone did perform for a solid eighty minutes.

First on are KARL PHILLIPS AND THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS. According to the irrepressible Mr P, the band are "pretty massive on the local circuit", before adding "BBC Radio Northampton are all over me"! It is a scintillating performance and is my undoubted highlight of the evening. They shuffle up the old and new. "2 Peas In A Pod" is about Karl's girl. Although sadly Sabrina isn't here tonight, "Dangerous" is 'helped' out on vocals by the reticent drummer! In introducing these songs to a slightly mystified audience, KP explains "it's slightly dubsteppy if you know what that is". "Liabilities" perhaps earns his best laugh and line from the whole evening. It's about "a shit band from my home town"! He adds cheekily "If you fancy a giggle when you get home, google Liabilities". The much older favourites such as "Okey Dokey" and "Pink Champagne" engage some dancing at the front. Their ending is very different as the guitarists and drummer stick around to play the addictive riff from RATM's "Bullet in the head". After what has gone before it is quite surreal, but a great idea. There is even a minor stage dive too. Very good fun.