The Bedford Metal Thursday Showcase Keep Calm And Carry On, Till Seasons Fall, Danny Young , The Radiating Eyes.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON . A very apt name, after a nightmare start to their first song 'Winner Stays On', Vocalist Will is having terrible trouble retaining his guitar after 'Young Danny Young' had borrowed it for his sound-check. After two attempts it was finally third time lucky for this quartet. It was crucial that the meticulous fine tuning had worked, because this song was ninety per cent instrumental and to my ears has a slight traditional Russian feel to it. A change of pace with their next song 'How I Become A Vampyre' with the vocalists mop of curly hair, this is quite reminiscent of The View. With a quick plug for their My/Space song 'Work Makes Free', it was straight through to their brand new composition 'M.T.V.' which apparently the boys wrote in a tirade against some of the rubbish shown on that particular satellite station. After which we are introduced to Keep Calm Carry On's secret weapon, which as they point out is not a Spanish guitar but a mandolin, seldom heard in this venue, but much loved by this reviewer. It features on 'What You've Become' a folk song with Irish leanings, although to be fair Will's M.K. rasp doesn't really do it justice, but his mandolin strumming was exquisite. The bands variation carried on to the end with their final song 'Gritted Teeth' an 'indie - rockabilly' tune that earns them a generous round of applause.

TILL SEASONS FALL travel in from Luton, bringing with them some vociferous support. They are a five piece rock/metal outfit who gain from having a female vocalist. She has good depth to her vocal range. No girlie screaming for this young lady who also seems to be having a great time as she constantly smiles throughout. At this level, fun is what it is all about. I wish more young bands would realise this. Visually, they make good use of the limited confines of Danny's bar. The guitarists have obviously studied every conceivable metal video, as they choreograph perfectly!, posing in unison. The band have no pre-arranged set list, preferring to decide on the spur of the moment what they play next. Hence guitarist shouts "Shall we play 'What A Dreamer"? The rest agree and it duly follows. The fun and audience participations occurs in Till Seasons Fall's last two songs. The former, invites the crowd to a "We salute, you salute" role. I wasn't sure about the anarchic left handed salutes though!. 'Teardrops' is the clapping anthem. They are joined at the end by a mate whose 'shouty and growly' parts added some variation and should be incorporated on more than just one song.

As keen local muso's know,

DANNY YOUNG is one quarter of the mighty HeKz, a youthful band that are one of Bedford Metal's outstanding discoveries, (did someone mention Look See Proof!) A great gesture by Keith gave 'Young Danny' a rare chance to perform a few of his own compositions acoustically. Unfortunately tonight Danny is suffering from a dodgy throat, however, for the youngsters watching, they give him the best of order for some mellow (and in Danny's own words) plus some 'gay' bouncy numbers! I find 'Last Goodbye' the best of his short set a good departure from his day job and at least Danny got to sit on a high stool which must have been a lot more comfortable than the 'guvnors' shoulders!

An enormous amount of hype preceded our final band, who are the wonderfully titled