'One For The Underground Presents:'.
JUNIPER HOLLOW, with ANGELS CRY, NONE
IS THE NUMBER and UNCLASSIFIED.
Bedford Esquires Lev 2.
Friday 2nd June 2006.
Review 1 Keith. www.bedfordmetal.co.uk Review 2 Martin Stapleton www.bedfordesquires.co.uk
Fresh from their recent gig at the Ath. last weeks bank holiday and one of the
Bedford Metal Danny's bar showcase nights in April, UNCLASSIFIED
proved themselves to be quite a young, professional outfit. Their metal fused
approach started with a bang and ventured melodically between fast and heavy to
lighter melodic approaches. Its predominantly origional material with some
movement on stage to keep die hard rock fans. Well - rocking out I suppose.
Their lead singer, walking all round the stage stopping to contort in to some
convulsive action while spitting out his gravely growled vocals. - "I
usually sing this bit instead of growling", states their origional singer,
just fresh back from holiday and watching from the front. His stand in doing a
fine job at having a fair crack of the vocal whip. I was so proud of these guys;
they have improved with each gig. Check their web and myspace on the 'Sounds'
page.
With the same pedigree as the above, - Danny's bar/The Ath. - (A melting pot of
hot new talent) Tom Kitchiner's band (guitarist from the much missed The Ten
Year Prospect) now renamed and added personnel, form this next band - NONE
IS THE NUMBER. (None is not a number, it is a free man; eh Tom?). Out of
the three gigs I had seen them I think this was the best one, more confidence
and ready to put on a performance. The sound was particularly good on this
night, which is just what is needed to showcase the intricacy's that goes in to
the tunes of their music. One of the first things that really stands out for me
with this band is just how good their drummer is, adding a certain flare to his
drumming not just filling in like a session musician. One of those widely
accessible bands to a varied ear, which should help with getting themselves on a
few more line-ups and a few more gigs.
I think one of the headlining bands had pulled out of this night and as there
were four bands were not sorely missed! ANGELS CRY
with their merchandise and T-shirts for sale made me think these boys were a
signed headlining act. They were well practiced enough and delivered a tight
act, stopping at one point to announce the birthday of one of their members. A
bit of a Ladbrokes band I thought, - the betting shop chain where you can place
your bets on how long it will take for a band like this to have their front man
form a fist and throw it behind his back in a screamo emo style stance. I'm sure
the band would be the first to venomously disagree. Well then - don't move
around like an emo band. Music wise not bad but nothing really new either,
performing most of the time with backs to the audience, although throwing
themselves about and the on the shoulders guitarist making up any live
experience element. Not bad but it would probably take a while to get used to
this band as their style seems three a penny at the moment. I think however the
Angel was crying because it saw how packed tonight's gig was.
No band closer to home deserves a headlining slot more than JUNIPER
HOLLOW. Their act always amazes me and they take a whole room over with
their full swing rage like riotous sound and more reliable than a Fargher
grapevine to get a room jumping. Although their front man is a real showman,
leaping round like a professor in charge of an exploding experiment, it has to
be said that while the visual emphasis seems to be on him, his fellow musicians
are worthy of merit also. I think their guitarist is quite talented and during
last years Craven fest gig I actually thought he was the man of the match for
that entire day! The next step is so close to them - like little ducks nervously
leaving the nest for the first time. For fuck sake get out there - play other
towns and venues you know as we all do, your amazing and capable of showing
what's out there just how good the Bedford scene can be!!
Keith.
REVIEW TWO BY MARTIN STAPLETON
Although 'One for the Underground' this evening was sadly lacking Her Words Kill (who rumour has it have now gone their separate ways), it did not detract from the young musicians on display tonight.
Headlining were the inordinately talented and popular JUNIPER HOLLOW, whose array of song-writing skills were fully in evidence as, apart from trusty old favourite 'Dragonfly', it's a set choc-ful of newer material which as well as attacking the emotions are also bludgeoning the ears! Seeing them live is always a manic minefield of thrills. The boys also announced that they are due to go into the studio shortly for some more recording.
Brighton based ANGELS CRY make a welcome return to the venue and this rapidly maturing band displayed some super-charged emo heaviness for which the superlatives cathartic and epiphanic might well have been invented for! 'Be My Own' starts the set and the tragic sounding 'The Death of Marilyn Monroe' is not as gloomy as the title suggests. The insurmountably magnificent 'The Ocean Waves that Bloom' effortlessly seduces the soul
NONE IS THE NUMBER are a eclectic mix of musical genres that on making their level 2 debut tonight are nerveless and commanding. It is only a five song set but they show enough verve, energy and presence to suggest they will be regular visitors to our abode.
Unclassified continue to impress, especially the song 'Hide and Seek'. They plough a distinctly heavy furrow as they up the acceleration pedal with 'Kill Rock and Roll' infusing my cerebral senses.