JON PEEL TRIBUTE NIGHT.
Esquires Level 2 Bedford. Thursday 13th
October 2005.
Fistfights and Breaklights, Blind
Theory, The Conflict Theory, The Dilenquents.
Radio 1 Charity night for The British
Heart Foundation.
Review by Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk and Martin Stapleton www.bedfordesquires.co.uk
I arrived at the venue to see a nervous promoter hoping that his hard work in
organising the gig would be a successful night, which as it turned out,
certainly was. I had a small part in arranging two of the bands for the bill.
I'm sure Jon Peel would have been quite proud of the event which was just one of
many going on all over the place, providing a great boost to the live music
scene, especially now that pubs are getting later licences and trendy night
clubs are more empty than they were and live alternative music is on the up and
up with Bedford being no exception to a healthy scene. The Esquires venue itself
being quite apt as it has in it's time had Mr. Jon Peel himself visit the venue
when 'Babes In Toyland' played their first gig.
A death metal like growling roar came from the stage where first band, FISTFIGHTS
AND BREAKLIGHTS came on stage. This was one of two bands that I had not
seen before. At first I thought Blind Theory were up on stage with their singer
looking quite similar and matched comments from the crowd who new the other band
and were thinking the same. This band totally looked the part - the way they
performed, moved on stage and delivered their heavy style of music with powerful
vocals from their singer who I thought was a real front man entertainer in
looking so confident on stage and putting every passionate effort in to the
singing. I quite prefer this heavier approach to their sound and certainly a
band that I would look out for in future!
One of my bands next - BLIND THEORY one of the most
improved bands since their conception, not so much falling round the stage this
time and concentrating more on their delivery. The previous band made the
singing on this next band seem more tamer, but still showed themselves putting a
great deal in to their performance despite a guitar sounding slightly out of
tune, but their well moved delivery and material kind of made up for this while
the rhythm kept the crowd up for it with the usual high standard cracking
drumming.
Possibly my favourite band of the night the five piece THE
CONFLICT THEORY, that's two theories on the same bill a thinking mans gig
for the Jon Peel night in Bedford in which the band respectfully gave a call out
to the man himself.
The band had such a great sound with their twin guitar attack being used to the
fullest and what an amazing front man singer, the way he held the audience with
his energetic on stage delivery and strong well sung vocals. I thought the songs
had a slight danger of sounding all the same, although that's only a minor
quibble as the material that they do have is of a good sounding great quality,
impeccably performed by their front man show master.
After an intro on stage by the guy that I mentioned at the beginning who put the
gig together, THE DILENQUENTS who played a blinding
performance at the recent BOTB gig at the Bedford Athletic were headlining the
show. They had their backdrop similar in style I thought to the way they dress,
approvingly draped over the commercial brand of lager sign above the stage. Big
fans of 'The Misfits' themselves with clothing and song covers in their set in
which their front man who looks every centimetre as if he is supposed to be up
on stage, played with such confidence and being quite able to chat with the
crowd between songs, which along with the guitar work and incendiary of drums
made this a Thursday night to remember.
Well done to Adam Taylor for putting this gig on which raised 500. for
charity.
REVIEWEW TWO BY MARTIN STAPLETON
In conjunction with the rest of the country, John Peel day was celebrated here with at least 100 people giving their support and their money to the memory of the legendary DJ and The British Heart Foundation.
Making their debut tonight was the extravagantly named FISTFIGHTS AND BRAKELIGHTS (apparently the name came about when a mate of a band member saw his girlfriend in another guy's car!). This System of a Down influenced band certainly didn't show any nerves as the guitarist coaxed impressive feedback from his amp whilst the lead singer Tony had a voice which sounded like he had been gargling with six inch nails. It certainly was a lively start and I particularly enjoyed the track 'Let's Name Our Kids Before They Kill Us' which featured a soft intro before exploding into a deafening crescendo!
Fresh from their support slot with Brigade a couple of weeks ago, BLIND THEORY delivered a superb crowd-pleasing set as all the moshers at the front were sent into a frenzy. Their set of pop-punk flew by, and the track 'Memories' particularly stood out.
After Blind Theory we were treated to The CONFLICT THEORY. A five piece metal band from Luton, they describe their sound as 'combining technical riffs with tuneful screaming and heartfelt lyrics to produce something unlike any other band in our area'. The songs 'Just One More Night' and 'Intent' made sure that everyone was moshing.
Esquires then gave a warm welcome to another band making their debut, THE DILENQUENTS. A good, old-fashioned, no nonsense, no songs over two minutes punk band, the songs came thick and extremely fast! Frontman 'Mullet' gave as good as he got from the hecklers and assisted by Jay (bass) and Larkin (drums) their angst ridden lyrics were topped off by a unique punk version of a Van Morrison classic. These boys certainly lived up to their name.
A word of thanks must go to Adam who organised this charity evening and hearing segments of other Peel Tribute nights being broadcast by Radio 1 between bands really made this an event to remember.