Bedford Alternative Music Presents: Punk Ghouls Vs Metal Zombies Halloween Gig.
Demi Massacre, Rench, Speedshot, Radiating Eyes.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Saturday 31st October 2009.

Photos (c)James Betts Jez Brown and Bedford Alternative Music 2009.

REVIEW ONE Keith.

Although this gig was planned before summer, our first band who I was keen to introduce to the Bedford weary gig goer (the masked and creepily austere Dr Slaggleberry), however they wanted an early opening 15 min set for personal reasons and as Im not running a matinee they were swapped, at first for the preferred Shogun with wailing banshee vocals just right for the occasion but their guitarists other band DEMI MASSACRE was coerced by him in to employment instead, as predicted several bands who asked to play who I knew wouldnt even turn up if they werent playing were refused and the record breaking Demi Massacre took to the stage instead. I say record breaking, as in the whole time I have been doing gigs these are the only band who failed to bring a single person to see them. Perhaps Im the only person in Bedford who likes them. With their souring riffs, gruff vocals, sounding more evil than Al Qaedas suggestion box, along with pounding drums, they seemed an overtly heavy opener, intricate guitar strengths are most prominent and vocals that get better each time. Not even a string breaking could put them off their stride; I noticed there doesnt seem to be much interaction with what was a busy crowd (yet to get even busier) they play looking at their instruments instead of at the audience, but musically they are a capable force, adding very much the first part to the theme of scary party.

I probably might not have said this before seeing them but I think RENCH was my favourite band on the night. Sounding like a fusion between Green Day and Sum 41 these were the very essence of a party band and got a huge amount of people down to both see them and say goodbye as this was their last ever set. They dressed the themed part played a tight set of addictively listenable pop punk and radiated a whole atmosphere of fun fun fun. They are splitting to branch off to other musical directions which we wish them luck with and what a gig to go out on.

Although this is a well trodden no change set by SPEEDSHOT, it at least allows them to do it well, entertainingly and also knock out a well practiced tight set. They have their live favourite anthemic classic tunes like Moonshine Mamma, Snakebite and Kamikaze Town, washed down with run around antics, gurning facial expressions and an onstage enjoyment that ads a spectacle to a live show, a sweet lil pumpkin outfit and as with Rench a bit of cross dressing made up their on stage costumes. Their well renditioned cover T.N.T. (AC/DC) was included from this fun but well played performance. Just a few new songs and set freshness for future gigs needed now before they turn in to the annual Xmas bar gig fodder type bands. I really want this band to progress their entertaining talents further with more gigs at different venues and places which is what their gigs have been allowing them lately.

Like all their Birthdays rolled in to one this much anticipated and looked forward to headline set by Bedfords popular RADIATING EYES played nothing short of a proper Halloween show set. As with the packed audience making an effort to dress up, they even had a song called Halloween, which they played amongst their classics and C.D. tracks Pointless Vermin, Only The Dead and Steel Hearts being particular favourites. The bands were introduced by Dracula and closed by a dead Russell Brand, handing out prises for the best fancy dressers who were allowed up on stage for applause and their prise. Man of the match for sharing his monster drum kit - Charlie pounded his drums with aggressive precision to the intricate pickings of fine guitars and their on stage party on legs singer contorting around like an impaled eel, leaving their early punk like roots to a more hardcore sound, making other bands seem like a trip to the ballet in comparison. In Conclusion ended an energetic set, making It good to see a mosh pit up front again and full crowd, mostly in fancy dress, including the bar staff with a zombie hospital patient theme and Radiating eyes actually using tomatoe sauce on their T-shirts to convey blood!

REVIEW TWO BY Martin Stapleton.

This is a night of music given over to the punk ghouls and metal zombies, courtesy of Count Keith Von Pickering and the Bedford Alternative website who have also decorated the stage accordingly. Since this reviewer was a little person, Halloween seems to get bigger and bigger each year. When I was a youngster, it was all about firework night and "Penny for the Guy" (erm, isn't that Bonfire Night? ? Esq. Editor). Now it's the annual ritual of trick or treat which invariably ends with the children taking home pocketfuls of sweets and goodies. While the youngsters are knocking on doors, the slightly older folks are dressing up in some weird and wonderful costumes. Make-up is also liberally applied. The combination creates some very interesting results.

There is to be no easy introduction to tonight's fayre. Late replacements THE DEMI MASSACRE aurally pillage my brain cells with their metal by numbers noise. It offers no subtlety, no flow, and certainly no tunes! The mindless screaming that this band employ wears my patience very quickly. The predominantly young crowd, however, seem to be very appreciative with positive reaction gleaned on "The End" and "The Last Day".

So we bid farewell to another local band as RENCH, on this final gig, reach the end of the road. The punky popsters certainly go out in fine style. A good smattering of tunes allied to an impressive stage presentation gets a lot of positive feedback from the audience. They finish with "Miss Perfect", the first song that Rench wrote.

Although it's Halloween, two noted local musicians use it as an excuse to satisfy their feminine side as they slap on the lippy and slip on something rather slinky. One of these 'frustrated transvestites' is bass player Burkey of our next band SPEEDSHOT. Thankfully, vocalist Danny Young's attire is more becoming of an out and out rock'n'roller. On the back of their recent EP release, this band are constantly giggin' and putting together a familiar and tight set list. Sometimes hit or miss, "Moonshine Mama" gets a spirited and positive crowd sing back. The more recently written 'I Just Wanna Be Me' has everyone shouting in unison. With the precociously talented Danny at the fore, Speedshot give us a thirty minute masterclass in pure guitar groove. They reveal a more intense mindset with a developing grasp of songwriting dynamics. Even the obligatory cover is handled amusingly. "TNT" is, of course, originally by that Scottish rock band "Acc-Duc". The anthemic garage strum of "Snakebite" sees Michele living up to his affectionate nickname of Animal!

With a healthy rivalry developing, RADIATING EYES end the evening. So many local bands spring up like weeds incorporating the current 'in-scene musical fad' for some egotistical gain. Hopefully, this collective nucleus of the two headline bands may sustain some tangible longevity. They appear to have a genuine passion for what they are doing and trying to achieve. Radiating Eyes have a pubescent snarl. They disorientate and disturb in equal measure. Frontman Ben shows all the skill and grace of a rabid Rottweiler. He is angry as he spews out the lyrics. Their combined psyche is fuelled by the guitar splattering sound they produce. A scary band to fully suit the occasion. 'The Eyes' do not operate with a limited myopic musical grasp. The crowd is large and the applause deservedly rings out loudly at the close.