Fences And Floodlights, Out Of The Inside (acoustic), Yellowknife Bay.
The Bear. High Street Bedford. Friday 9th August 2013. Fences And Floodlights 1 Vid "" 2 Vid "" 3 Vid "" 4 Vid
Ok, I freely admit that it is a rare occurrence when I have the chance to witness 'Bands in The Bear', but judging by tonight's entertainment, it's probably something I should do a little more often. For those people who have never ventured into the best pub on the High Street, I will try to explain the layout. The bar is extremely long and the band play at the top (toilets) end. The crowd watch in a sort of narrow funnelled way. If you are fortunate enough to be at the front, it's great. You are near enough to touch your favourites. However, the further back that you are situated, the harder it is too fully feel part of the action especially when, as has happened on a few of my visits, the sound has been fairly ropy. I am so please to report that tonight the bands have made provisions and the clarity is quite good for us punters. A real bonus is that in The Bear you may be fortunate enough to be served by one of Bedford's musical icons, a legend on the local scene for well over a quarter of a century, the one and only Mr Jon Tendon.
What draws me here this evening is the standard and quality on offer. Put clearly and simply, I'm referring to the triumvirate of cracking young local bands that have evolved and emerged these past few months. Sadly one of them, OUT OF THE INSIDE , is minus a bass player. Happily Leon (vocals, guitar) and James (percussion) ensure that the show must go on and perform as an acoustic duo. To quote the lyrics from one of their covers "Everything will be alright, everything will be just fine" ("The middle" by Jimmy Eat World). Covers dominate and the lads play with fun and a carefree abandon.
Never ever take a covers set seriously so cue "Some might say". Out Of The Inside treat us to a 'crap' version of this classic crap song. It is great to hear the disrespect that this awful composition truly deserves. Well done boys, it was one of the best and funniest moments that I have witnessed for a long time. With James sitting on his 'beatbox' (complete with painted on hands for striking effect) tapping away furiously, it almost sounded like bhangra Oasis. For good measure they also covered Mike Flowers' "Wonderwall". With an EP coming out shortly, Out Of The Inside were never more earnest and serious when acoustically performing their own compositions such as "Stop me sunshine", "I don't care" (the first song they recorded) and especially the more than apt "A night to remember" which climaxed their set.
Opening the evening are YELLOWKNIFE BAY . For the most part they are sonically aggressive, entirely up front and in yer face. The one exception to their rocky punk edged sound is "Where you goin?" which is a lot softer, dancier and contains a free flowing indie ska bassline. On the whole this band are progressing nicely. They have collectively toughened and tightened up since I last saw them a few months ago. Never afraid of self-deprecation, they remark post "Fell in love with a girl" (White Stripes cover), "guys I think we pulled that off". It was said with a smile, but they did. There are changes to the formula as on "So safe" when their rock roots get slightly more dancy, almost in a bouncy Broco manner. It suits them and shouting and clapping are actively encouraged as on "MamaIi just saw a murder" and "Children of evolution". Pop punk explodes on "The abused". The "new song" (the lads have not named it yet) is preceded by Yellowknife Bay's very own joker in the pack who decides that it is a good time to tell a joke. It involves cats, I say no more. Fella it's a good job that you are a talented musician cause you certainly ain't no Micky Flanagan! "Deadly American blues" features plenty of jumping up and down and contains a healthy grunge tinged hue.
Finishing off the evening in style are FENCES AND FLOODLIGHTS . This is a band that I have a lot of time for and they don't disappoint tonight. Bouncy and infectious in equal measure, their many keen followers may not have swelled the coffers of this bohemian pub, but they do add bundles of atmosphere. The restricted 'stage' area does not help the band's choreographed moves, but their grooves work silkily. What do Fences And Floodlights conjure up? Perhaps a joyous naive charm, the kind that you don't mind living through again and again. Self-belief flows, nay floods through this bristling sweatathon that The Bear has rapidly become. "Your fate" starts the journey, while "Wasteland" is riffing fantastic, a veritable F&F choice cut of genre hopping rock. It seriously pricks up my ears, a mix of The Quireboys meets The Offspring. "A night in December" is open to debate as the band think that it is quite close to another of their songs. A jokey "That's what makes you beautiful" is curious. "Spirals" impresses in a lighter way. "Self right" proves to be the visual diamond in a set plumped up with some covers. The guitarist thrusts his instrument skywards and almost obliterates one of the strategically placed lampholders delicately hanging from the ceiling! "London Pride" appears to be a eulogy to that foul tasting ale. They may have "fell in love" with this brew but who amongst their ranks would venture to taste it? They later reprise for an encore. "Hailee" is my favourite with it's deep down dirty riff. The song branches out spasmodically into so many obscure tangents and makes it my song of this memorable night.
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk