Hooton Tennis Club, The Parrots, Moats.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. Wednesday 21st October 2015.

Oh I say! it was certainly advantage to HOOTON TENNIS CLUB, as they smashed it here at Bedford Esquires tonight. Hailing from the Wirral, things are dramatically happening for this Liverpudlian quartet. After being initially scouted by The Farm’s bassist Carl Hunter, they were quickly signed to the Heavenly Record label after just three gigs late August saw the release of their debut album Highest Point In Cliff Town, with a tour of America just completed, the band are currently visiting some of this countries towns and cities. They immediately tell us that they are “Excited to be here in Bedford.” One thing is for sure, this is a night that’s exclusively for fans of old skool indie, distorted jangly guitars and big choruses rule. Influences prod and protrude constantly and often. Perhaps think and imagine Teenage Fan Club and Pavement, for the older shoegazers, Deerhunter and Ariel Pink for the younger, considering their birthplace, a friend and I discuss the merits to include The La’s. Thankfully there was no lady spin with this quartet; these fellas have no apparent need to court controversy. Their quality tunes do the talking with Up In The Air, they then lob us Something Much Quicker Than Anyone But Jennifer Could Imagine. Hooton Tennis Club admit that they “Have got some long Songtitles” which usually include a girls name. A forcing shot of P.O.W.E.R.F.U.L. P.I.E.R.R.E. is loudly shouted out. One of their many plus points is the fact that they have dual vocalists, who share the lead roll throughout, the contrast is divine. Take a bow Ryan Murphy and James Madden. Love Interest features on ….And Then Camilla Drew Fourteen Dots On Her Knees. This is a slower one, especially for all those prospective doubles partners and not for singles. With musical D.I.Y. ethics still very much close at heart. Barlow Terrace is a poignant reminder of the “House we used to share in Manchester.” Hooton Tennis Club principally perform the whole of their album in a random shuffle order, but with one notable exception in New Shoes. It’s one that they can royally rock out to. With a memorable drumming intro, Spokes takes a blessed out Psychedelic route to enrapture a transfixed crowd, who needless to say are having a real ball of a time, even if it is a Wednesday night. This is enhanced when first single Jasper is performed. With a final rally of Always Coming Back To You, the band leave the stage, the large crowd respond with applause and cheers. Needless to say, it was a very much game, set and match to Hooton Tennis Club this evening.

Main support on this gig came from THE PARROTS. This trio performing live and in the flesh were a complete sensation, a total revelation.
Hailing from Madrid, they produce a Riveting mix that’s like the bastard Spanish musical lovechild of Fidlar and Billy Childish. The sound engineers work marvellously well to fully incorporate a rough, raw retro, echoey sound to enhance The Parrots fully. An early short technical hitch fails to mar their set. All throughout, it’s quite amusing watching the crowds reticent reaction. They are standing still while some of the catchiest singalong garage rock we have ever possibly witnessed at Esquires is taking place. Thankfully, towards the end, some people do get moving their limbs. It’s fun to watch The Parrots drummer in the occasional slower bits. His movements are so exaggerated. It’s like he cannot sit still for that long! Some coursing and fast surf punk blends in supremely during a set of songs that one assumes are from the bands latest recorded E.P. entitled Weed For The Parrots. I cannot emphasise enough, just how brilliant this live Parrots performance was. You cannot kid us cynical musical ‘kidders’ and these fellas tonight were the real deal. Ramshackle and raucous, gracias to these musicians from Spain.

“We’re from Biggleswade, just down the road.” This is the opening greetings from MOATS, a quartet surprisingly only now making their Esquires debut. I call it a surprise because this time last year they were appearing in America, performing in Austin, Texas after winning an N.M.E. competition for unsigned bands. Offering up an indie – mathrock sound, akin to The Foals with Kings Of Leon vocals, their single Hungry (which they end with tonight) is already on the playlist of both BBC radio 1 and 6 music. Urgent and confident, Will, Nathan, James and Matt fit so comfortably into these surrounds. Heavy and quiet in part equal measure, they introduce a newer one which is called I Want Your Brains To Be Healthy. The brand spanking newer composition, Assembly Of Atoms is performed live for the first time. Moats even ask the audience to “Put it in your review diary.” An assured set, full of intriguing songs, a return visit is eagerly anticipated. A top show brought to Esquires by Clubs Roar and Biscuit.