Roar Club And Club Biscuit Present: JIM BOB, S*M*A*S*H, MIDWAY STILL.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2. Lev 1 Friday 8th June 2012.

Review by Martin Stapleton.

James Jim Bob Morrison first came to musical prominence back in 1991 as one half of the electro punk band Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine. They went on to obtain four top twenty singles, plus a 1992 number one album. This together with all their other material had obviously left a lasting legacy, judging by the amount of 35-45 year olds assembled tonight. Not sold out, but yes an atmospheric turnout. Although of a different generation and not a connoisseur of Carter USM, I was highly curious to discover just what makes JIM BOB tick. Tonight during his eighty minute journey in to his slightly surreal and abstract world, I think I found out!
Now a highly successful author, he wrote Storage Stories back in 2010 and has now just had his latest one published, its called Driving Jarvis Ham and literary critic Andrew Collins has called it succinctly “An idiosyncratic modern comedy of our times!”
Jim Bob walks on stage to a huge roar and mass applause. This seems to be his Fan Club and I feel a slight outsider, its almost like gatecrashing a private party. I need not have worried, he makes everyone feel at home or on edge. A C**T usually appears from within the crowd at a Jim Bob gig, randomly and unexpectedly, which infact does happen later on!
His lush growth of hair, a polite jacket, shirt and tie, he reminds me of my geography teacher circa 1973! Immediately he begins to read from Driving Jarvis Ham. Rather risqué in its content, I feel as though I have stumbled across something akin to radio 4s book at bedtime, an adults only Jackanory.
His banter between songs is very humorous, a solo performer needs warmth and above all personality. This man scores highly “Is Jubilee over yet? Is it safe to go home!” Oh the footballs started, he likes sport, especially the Olympics, but Jim Bob is totally fed up with the constant updates of the torch, also, please don’t mention Tom Jones “Both a legend and a pain up the arse!” A new song is played, based support that he received tonight, with Midway Still and S*M*A*S*H. Jim Bob also recounts the troubles in Bristol or was it Brixton? Either way it’s the story of the Tesco Riots, where “Every Little Helps”. Victim comes from his Angelstrike album. The fans hope for an old one and eventually he relents with The Only Loony Left In Town. However , he cant remember the album its from! Facetiously, he comments “Was I in a band?” this leads to a prophetic statement, “Life is disappointing and you have to fucking get used to it!” its then time to return to more musings from the pages of Jarvis Ham and the girlfriend situation. I liked the originality and concept of this reading out loud section of the evening and I feel it worked well.
When everyone arrived at the start of the gig, they were all handed a raffle ticket, this entered them in to a draw. Jim Bob pulled out the numbers and the lucky recipient chose from the breakfast board of songs, held by Mr Spoons. They then told Jim Bob which composition they wanted him to play. Now the real fun would begin, the golden oldies are there to be plucked. Firstly its Falling On A Bruise, while the mystery cover is the Inspiral Carpets This Is How It Feels, then the full on retro hits follow. Any Time Any Place, Anywhere, The Only Living Boy In New Cross (pluss crowd sing along). Its crystal clear, despite this mans latter day material that the majority of this audience want and demand the songs of their youth. Bubbles are then blown in to the audience, its getting so Touchy Feely for an encore, there really can only be one song left to totally wow the crowd, yes youve sussed it, good old Sheriff Fatman. Needless to say everyone goes home happy.

Support starts with retro grunge rockers MIDWAY STILL . I liked this band a lot. They feature Russ Lee (bass) Paul Thompson (guitar vocals) and Dec Kelly (drums). They ignite every song with so much power and passion. They have been around for a few years, but are proud to showcase songs from their current new album, Always Ends, starting infact with This Is How It Ends. Also of note is No Guarantees. Blistering and scorching in equal measure, they even finish with a cover of E.L.O.s Mr Blue Sky (not in this summer) which receives a full on stoner, psychedelic finale. Well, these gents can get away with anything as Paul is proudly throughout, wearing a Carpenters tee shirt! Great stuff.

The same cannot be said however for S*M*A*S*H . A turgid, rehashed collection of dark post punk. Their songs all seem to randomly end up as drearily as they start! No amount of jumping around on stage can mask the lack of good material. Drug Love plays a part in their lyrics, even though their vocalist’s vice now is Dr Pepper. A tiresome set.