DUB PISTOLS, New Groove Formation.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Saturday 16th November 2013.

Wow! What a truly magical night we had on the main stage. It may have been cold and miserable outside, but in the level 2 room it could have been a sweltering hot summer's evening at a festival. The principle cause of all this controlled mayhem is DUB PISTOLS. It is the first time that they have ever played in Bedford, but what an impression they made and left us with. This has to be one of my most memorable Esquires shows of the year. I'm sure when The Pad Presents first booked this band they were hoping to get a good sized crowd, all ready to party. That's precisely what they got and probably more.

Formed back in 1996, original member and founder Barry Ashworth is still very much at the helm. Oh yes, he's the guvnor! He is the catalyst to their continuing success. Surveying the baying Bedford crowd it is as if he too can sense something in the air. A tinge of excitement, a whiff of expectancy. His opening lines set the tone and his rallying call of "Are you ready to get messy, rowdy and nasty?" is met with cheers of approval. He then adds something which is, sadly, a physical impossibility in this room; "Anyone here can touch the celing". Perhaps he didn't mean in the physical sense! Throughout their seventeen year career, Dub Pistols have had a revolving rota of musicians performing for them. Tonight they are a six piece, but as the night evolves, the number grows. The band have steadily mutated from what was initially a studio project into a fully fledged live act. Their famous cast has included Rodney P, Lindy Layton and Terry Hall. Indeed, Dub Pistols perform a cover of "Gangsters" tonight.

What does watching this band for the first time conjure up for me? Well it's noticeable that they contain a healthy rock 'n' roll swagger when they are a staple part of the UK dance scene. In the process of chewing up hip hop, ska, reggae, techno and dub, they spit out a futuristic renegade skank, but in a punk manner. All known genres are dismantled and broken down. The set covers many bases in their long career. Having initially made their name with the debut album "Point blank", those old time fans are treated to "Westway". Their defining 2005 album "Six million ways to live" sees Dub Pistols tear up the stage with "Problem is". The wider audience were perhaps introduced to the band when a few of their tracks were chosen to be featured on various video games. Of those, "Cyclone" and "Running from the thoughts" are performed this evening.

Barry seems to be impressed. "You are the thrillseekers" he shouts. Mellow thoughts enter everyone's heads occasionally throughout the dancing explosion. Mayhem may rule but "I don't care which way the wind is blowing, I don't know which way I'm going". A cover of The Stranglers' "Peaches" probably shouldn't work, but funnily enough it does. A couple of songs are taken from the band's most recent album which is entitled "Worshipping the dollar". They are "Gunshot" and, most notably I feel, "Mucky weekend". The latter could best be described as a compulsive raver's anthem. The lyrics are fruity to say the least, a sample being "Oh no here we go again, I'm off my face on another mucky weekend with cocaine running round the brain". Naturally the crowd lap up this "Ebeneezer Goode" of the 21st century. The party has to stop eventually, but a rapturous reception at the end emphasises what a fantastic evening we have had. The Dub Pistols certainly gained at least one extra fan tonight.

The perfect support for this show are Bedfordshire's very own NEW GROOVE FORMATION. As always it is a joy to watch this eight piece collective. By the time they arrive on stage the room is already pretty full. This ska fused band usually bring quite a few followers with them, but it appears that there are many attendees unfamiliar with our party band. Vocalist Mr Quinn is slightly taken aback that people are not right up front and personal. He makes reference to "the invisible wall" and urges a reluctant few to move forward. They oblige. Most of the songs performed tonight will feature on the new NGF album which is due for release next year. "Lobsters" is rather fresh for me and receives the full on treatment, including pincer hand movements. With their brass duo excelling and plenty of percussion, we are also given the full whack of tambourine and even maracas. Ah, so much musical variety on show. The magnificent "Turkish delight" is still my firm favourite, but "Dance with the devil" certainly runs it close. Their recent recruit, rapping Ryan, is very lively and causes major consternation with the lighting crew by cheekily climbing and hanging from the rigging later on. Tut, tut naughty man! Otherwise its business as usual with this ever loveable bunch.