Review Of The Month: JULY 2017.

Esquires Bedford.

With festivals and holidays now dominating a lot of people’s minds, live original music featured quite rarely during the month. However, there were a few tasty musical morsels to feast upon and here’s a few observations.

Rock Grass arrived at Esquires on Friday 7 in the shape of Hayseed Dixie. They returned to the venue after a lengthy gap of some twelve years.(December 2 2005 to be precise). In their seventeen year career, Hayseed Dixie primarily began as a hillbilly tribute to AC/DC. As the years have progressed, they have broadened their covers range thankfully they now also include some original material, which does provide a welcome break to the novelty value reworking. True to their roots, they perform with the traditional instruments of their forefathers, which include banjo, fiddle, mandolin, as well as both acoustic guitar and bass. Hayseed Dixie play many tracks from their current album, Free Your Mind… And You’re Grass Will Follow. The mainstage room is packed full of the many converts and disciples to their holy and inspired rock grass cause. These original creators have certainly come along way since they first started back in the fertile valley of Deer Lick Holler which lies deep in the heart of the Appalachion Mountains of east Tennessee USA. Yee Hah!

Saturday 15 featured another ‘Six acts and two stages’ show. This concept is held in both of the downstairs venues, with the featured musicians presented alternatively in them. I offer many apologies to Billy Hayes, who’s opening set I missed. Five fairly contrasting bands followed, of which the Cambridge based Psychic Lemon were certainly my favourites. The trio concocted some exceptionally good mind blowing psychedelic sounds. Hypnotic guitars, forceful and pummelling drum work dominate this mainly instrumental set. So impressive were they, I promptly picked up a copy of their eponymous album at the end of their set. Few bands make such a memorable impression on me at first viewing to what Psychic Lemon did tonight.

Settlements hail from East Bedfordshire. This young punk infused band were fresh to my eyes and proceeded to brashly perform mainly their own compositions. They certainly had plenty of support, as many friends pitched up right at the front. ‘star of the evening’ award must go to the bands drummer, who sported a most magnificent Mohican haircut, which kept in place even through his enthusiastic drumming!

Next on were Godhanger, these fella’s seemed to be heavily influenced by Pearl Jam and were a tad to samey for my liking. They did however play a most competent original set of songs. Back in the bar, Family Of Noise provided an instrumental blast of post punk sounds. The trio included a most fantastic guitarist who even in the confines of the small stage, put on a most visually mesmeric display. A good set with excellent technical ability, but I did at times hanker for some vocals, which I felt would have put some musical meat on the very tasty bone.

Finishing off the nights entertainment were The Getgone, this band are steeped in late nineties, early noughties pop punk. A lively set of infectious tunes made for a fine end to an enjoyable evening. These sort of shows can sometimes be hit or miss, so it’s a pleasure to report that this one scored highly, certainly for this reviewer at least.

Rookie promoters Insight & Dork held a room 2 show on Friday 28. It was headlined by Honey Lung. While this show was by no means neither electrifying nor anaesthetically numbing, it did however have its moments to remember. This despite the fact that the room was quite empty and so lacked tangible excitement or any atmosphere. Honey Lung are a London based quartet from the early nineties. They pitch at something between Dinosaur Jr. and Smashing Pumpkins. To their credit, they infuse a fresh 21st century musical lacquer courtesy of some infectious guitar riffs and down to Earth honest lyrics. Vocalist Jamie is not only charismatic with a mic in his hand, to this he is wearing an outrageously colourful pair of loose baggy pair of tartan trackie bottoms! Softly spoken, he announces that the bands single (and standout song tonight) End Of Time is “about friends”. At the end of their set, Honey Lung seemed genuinely surprised to be asked by the audience to play one more. They deserved to have this accolade from a small but most appreciative Bedford crowd. Honey Lung are definitely ones to keep an eye out for in the future. Also on this gig and they open it as well were Rental Wives. They are my ‘pick’ of the support bands on offer at this show. This quartet only recently formed back in January. They displayed bags of potential. This was shown by a sprightly, angst ridden and some occasionally heart wrenching Smithesque guitars. Their lively set is all the more commendable given the fact that they have hardly had any sleep recently. The quartet explain that there have been “Lots of protests” in their manor of Dalston, North London. New single Twenty Pounds was great. It would certainly put a wide eyed smile on even the grumpiest of faces. To note Monarchs and Lunar Rosa completed the evenings line-up. The latter would keep fans of Kasabian more than happy.

The main stage on Saturday 29 featured a two set covers and original material takeover show by Less Than Human, cheesy fun throughout, this was the ‘lads’ putting on a special show for a birthday party. As befits these occasions, there were plenty of dancing, drinking and smiles. It reminded me of a quote by the late great comedian Bob Hope who once joked “You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake!”

Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk