Bedford Alternative Music Presents: Gold Skies Ahead with EnvyFour, As Daylight Dies, Inelegance and The Noise Theory.
Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Friday 16th December 2011.
Photos (c)Bedford Alternative Music 2011.
Allowing for the fact that THE NOISE THEORY haven’t been playing that long as a band or indeed that long with their re-shuffled line up. Their competent playing abilities were able to shine through with some noticeably good bass, while thrashing around on stage adding to the lively performance. Their guitarists obviously know how to get the best out of their instruments, while charismatic charm exudes from their front man while singing, - looking nervous at first, being the first band on, but gradually getting in to his stride. Seemingly sung with an American accented tinge of Pearl Jam like tones to the vocals and off kilter tune wise in places, being the only areas needing tidying up. Rage Against and System Of A Down were the only covers I could spot – unless there were less obvious ones thrown in? Strangely, their own material appears better suited to their sound and easier on the ear, proving they are capable of writing good material that has amazing rock out bursts of fast guitar sections. Not a bad first act, with more needed practice and experience to see them on their way.
With the line up’s original MK pub special fodder band pulling out at short notice Envy Four guitarist Liam showed his help as co promoter and swiftly arranged a more than suitable replacement in the form of INELEGANCE admittedly unheard of or tried by this promoter, the quick to fill in outfit were no disappointment, glad of a gig and ready to play, delivering a polished performance all round with a strong ability to get a crowd going. Good vocal abilities and movement to look the part on stage.
Although a lot of songs sounding similar the overall effect was an enthused and vibrant set with their hardcore influences.
AS DAYLIGHT DIES are simply one of the best new bands I have seen this year, they are ahead of their game when it comes to demonstrating themselves as a tight, well rehearsed band. Each of the members are well practiced musicians in their own right, with extremely good guitar playing one end and a front man that positively throws every ounce of his small frame in to the mix, with bursts of guitar activity while playing.
Their professional approach showed further by overcoming a technical difficulty, a snapped string and quite a bloody injured finger, which received a touch of first aid, although he clearly never allowed the injury to spoil his continued playing and would have gone on playing while bleeding.
Good to see a bassist putting movement while playing on stage and liquid drumming that flows so naturally, perfectly fitting the bands sound adding extra fills that stand out from other bands. Its so good to see young bands can wow and amaze an audience, myself included, be prepared for high level playing abilities, don’t be fooled by their ages when these small figures can yet throw so vast a shadow!
ENVYFOUR done so well in following such a good lively previous act and were lucky enough to have had a radio interview aranged for them beforehand outside the venue with Three Counties. The band now complete with plenty of new material and a more developed reshaped sound EnvyFour are proving themselves as a band refusing to go stale. They had a fantastic C.D. recorded this year, of which my favourite track was used to open their set. Their lack of movement still prevails although their sound is concentrated on producing a slick accurate well honed sound. Good to see their guitarist taking more of a turn on vocal duties backing to the newer songs. Their Kermit clad bassist continuing with good backing vocals also while adding the most movement next to their precision machine like drummer.
Gone are the days when their front man used to sing some of the songs from a sheet of paper, - now all remembered and well sung while engaging with the audience in places to add intimacy to a most satisfactory set.
GOLD SKIES AHEAD have been quite busy lately recording in a London studio, radio interviews, tunes selling on Amazon, luckily for us they get time out to put on shows, and what a show it was. Another band that has cracked it when it comes to their bands sound. With band members hailing from a variety of previous bands that were undeniably entertaining but not quite together enough musically. This present outfit is perfectly balanced and never more serious with their music, fun still instilled along the way. Their songs vary from hellish hardcore growlers to Ibiza rave anthems crafted carefully in to the golden blend.
Their welcome home to Bedford show was a cheery slice of tight, well performed moshable songs, with a tough but friendly image engaging the audience where appropriate and rocking the place out with a vibrant set making us wonder what we were missing while they were away.
Difficult to think of anything they could do to improve what they have at present except to just continue to be brutally good, being the strong recommendation.
keith www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk
Review Two by Martin Stapleton.
The young music makers rule the mainstage tonight, with a five band evening brought to us by BEDFORD ALTERNATIVE MUSIC. It opens with THE NOISE THEORY, judging by their efforts they seem a little wracked with nerves. Allied to that they did suffer a few gremlins in their technical department. With all this to encounter they did just about scrape a twenty minute set together. Confidence does rise when they perform two very contrasting covers, firstly TOXIC, yes, that one! It’s delivered with ‘COD’ JAMES HETFIELD vocals. – Does it work? The jury is out. CHOP SUEY! By S.O.A.D. is a song that the band announce as “I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS”. Judging by the reaction, everyone does! THE NOISE THEORY are severely out of their depth on this, and although the crowd are jumping up and down, the band seem to lose their way tune-wise half-way through. More band practice lads!
Late replacements to the bill tonight are five piece ‘heavyish’ post hardcore band INELEGANCE. They excel in mixing harsh strained vocals with some rather intricate quiet/loud dynamics. In fact on SNOW (of which they describe as ‘pretty festive’) they incorporate some moody reflective spoken word. Most of the songs are all quite lengthy, but I must say extremely well structured. WHEN WE DEPART is from their recently released E.P. The youngsters gathered here show their support by engaging in a mosh pit spat.
Luton’s AS DAYLIGHT DIES have so much youthful exuberance and determination, they deserve glowing praise. O.K., so the playing is a little loose in places with this sonic assault. Tightness is one of the golden rules but you kind of know and suspect that A.D.D. will iron out those creases in good time. Their own material gives us some incendiary metal which is delivered with force: their diminutive frontman overcomes his bloodied cut finger to carry on regardless. In fact it’s only a rather predictable cover of R.A.T.M.’s KILLING IN THE NAME that fails to excite me. I very much enjoyed LET’S TAKE THIS TO COURT, but the whole set displays so much confidence. A big thankyou to AS DAYLIGHT DIES, the future of the young local metal scene is safe on these youngsters’ hands.
Another band rising in strength is ENVYFOUR. Their overall sound seems to have more depth and is infinitely heavier than when I last saw them. It certainly suits them and again their own material is impressive. After the shoutier efforts of the previous bands, these boys give us some Christmas frivolity! Popular with their young peers, even us senior people warm to their enthusiasm which is so evident on THOUSAND MILES and THE POINT I’M MAKING. I DIDN’T KNOW is a new one, fast in pace it also contains some addictive singalong lyrics. The band reveal that this song is to be released in August 2012.
Headlining are GOLD SKIES AHEAD who of course have strong Bedford connections within the band. Vocalist JIMMY greets us by boldly announcing: ‘WE PLAY ROCK ‘N ROLL’. This is spicy and articulate post hardcore, but perhaps for my liking they need to just crank it up a bit. He also adds that the gig theme is ‘VOCALISTS WITH SORE THROATS’! Perhaps due young man to the fact that it’s the middle of Winter and everyone tonight is of a shouty nature! They certainly look the part and stage presentation is good. There is enough action going on to stop any late gig fatigue.
Sadly, some of the between song banter does however I’m afraid, border on the laddish toilet humour of which this young crowd do find amusing. Past single GREEN MY EYES and the recently released CANDLES (out on I TUNES this week) are conclusive evidence that there is a fair dollop of potential. GOLD SKIES AHEAD may not be quite there yet, but judging by this performance, they’re sure having a heap of fun in the process. Their collective ambition is to be heartily applauded in this ever increasing manufactured musical world.
- Reviewed by Martin Stapleton