The Franklys, The Homegrown, Black Doldrums, Wiser The Fox.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. Saturday 26th March 2016.

Easter Saturday on the main stage at Esquires is celebrated this year with a somewhat random selection of bands. Stylewise, there was certainly no similarity between any of them. Thankfully there were enough good moments to savour. First on are WISER THE FOX, it’s their first time in the ‘upstairs room’ and my, how it showed. A few covers pad out the set, que Lorde and Katy Perry. Wiser The Fox were I felt much better when they performed their own, original compositions. They were far more interesting and at times showed real depth and a developing potential. I especially enjoyed Places, its haunting feel is fully utilised with the dual vocals. Between the songs this band really struggled to keep a continuation of flow. I found this band really struggled to keep a continuation of flow. I found it hard to keep keen interest as the members took a swig from their bottles of water and held mini deliberations on their next song. This is a part of their stage presentation that they surely need to tighten up on. The five piece would best be described as folk driven and the variety of their piano sounds adds a huge amount. Their final offering was, we were told, “Written in about two hours this afternoon and is a ‘mix up’ of two different songs.”

Based in London but well known locally, BLACK DOLDRUMS return to the venue after impressing all and sundry last New Years Eve. This is most definitely the band that I’m looking forward to seeing tonight, they do not disappoint. The primal garage blues rock duo scorchingly kick start my evening with such a ballsy attitude. Sophie on drums possesses a Mo Tucker, Meg White like metronomic beat. She furiously lashes her sticks in all the right places. Guitar vocalist Kevin is very tall, uprightly angular. He does appear at times to be ill at ease with all eyes on him between songs. In guitarist mode, Kevin flamboyantly thrashes with a relaxed style.
Their set of songs are fantastically constructed, quite hypnotic in places, they build up in tempo, gradually ease and fade in place, before reaching a glorious climax. Sidewinder is again probably their tastiest slice. Black Doldrums seem to add so many musical flavours to their collective pot. Britpop sounds abound on some of their songs, but contrastingly this one has faint echoes of Enter Sandman in places. It also closes with an extended bluesy wig out. Excitedly, the duo also reveal that they are soon off to Austin and San Francisco U.S.A for some shows. We wish them well and hope they reappear back at Esquires real soon. A refreshing and invigorating set.

‘Lads on the lash’ are THE HOMEGROWN who follow next. This band are playing as a three piece tonight because as they graphically inform us, “The bass players got his shits!” This ‘Laddy’ trio purvey some semi – acoustic ‘folky urban’. Their strength and weakness this evening I feel comes from the fact that they have brought the most crowd support. Their array of mates congregate right at the front and create the best atmosphere of this rather strange gig. However for us ‘non-mates,’ it’s akin to being present at a stranger’s private party. We appear to be alienated from the songs and jokey comments rising from The Homegrown. Given the flavour of this band, a Jamie T cover, Sheila is performed. Two songs are worthy of note, namely Stand Up and Broken Britain.
A very difficult set to enjoy or warm to.

Frankly Mr. Shankly I liked THE FRANKLYS! All female quartet The Franklys were both feisty and utterly fantastic. These cosmopolitan headliners feature American drummer Nicole Pinto, Swedish duo Jen Ahlkvist (vocals guitar) Fanny Broberg (guitar) and localish bassist Zoe Biggs from Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire. This ferocious foursome fire up a sound and full on feel located alongside influences such as Elastica, Throwing Muses and Hole. On a night of more lows than highs, these free spirited and creative ladies shake the lethargic feel from everyone. They upgrade the show with a towering, manic surge. A dozen songs arrive with express pace, speed and pulsating power. Grungy overtones dominate My Love. A rolling wave of drum beats escalate along the opening bars of Some People Leave. Come Down it’s their latest single. Bad News leads from an atmospheric intro, which quite suddenly combusts and surges into a guitar led frenzy. The whole result is a neo psychedelic monster. Showing a perpetual versatility, Too Tall serves up some gothy vibes. What You Said is a head swell, a full on hypnotic groove laden machine which also features a repetitive drum beat reminiscent of The Strokes You Go, I leave and is grungy ranged, while Puppet fires with a somewhat nostalgic Brit pop charm. The Frankly’s assault of Bedford ends with more than compliments the songs overall angsty fuelling rage. With terrific stage presence The Franklys were the most gracious and welcome visitors. So pleasing on the ear, a return visit would be most welcome.

Review by Martin Stapleton.