Kobra And The Lotus, Santa Cruz.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. Thursday 31st October 2013.

It's Halloween tonight! Judging by the lack of spooky decorations in the main stage room you would not have thought so at this Juicebox Promotions gig. A poor attendance means that this show is sadly lacking in atmosphere. The evening gets off to a disappointing start when we learn that Kill The King are not appearing. This Hertfordshire based band were due to open proceedings but transport problems mean that they were unable to fulfil their commitment.

SANTA CRUZ are first on stage. This quartet hail from Finland and formed in 2007 by vocalist/guitarist Artu Kuosmanen (now rechristened Archie Cruz) and guitarist Joonas Parkonen (reborn as Johnny Cruz). They are very heavily influenced by bands such as Motley Crue, Def Leppard etc etc. In fact, just think of anything that is 'cock rock hair metal'. At present they are promoting the release of their debut album "Screaming for adrenaline". With their long flowing hair and tight jeans, these boys are pure high energy and just love to shred their guitars. I ponder though, are they modern or just purely retro? This is probably best emphasised on their first song as the chorus bears more than a passing resemblance to Skid Row's "Slave to the grind". Their most accessible song this evening is "Let's get the party started" which sounds exactly like you think it should. This version is on their aforementioned album and is slightly rearranged from it's earlier incarnation on the Santa Cruz EP "Anthems for the young and restless".

Although it is only a short thirty minute set, Santa Cruz spent at least three of them on a yawn inducing drum solo (a major pet hate for this reviewer). This cliche ridden, sleazy pop rock is further plumped up by oodles of guitar widdling and high pitched vocals. It's fair to say that if anyone present had their I-Spy book of rock poses with them, they could have ticked almost everything off (no topless girls!). Towards the end of their set, while performing "Aiming high", the guitarist leaves the stage and suddenly appears by the sound desk. If nothing else it does brighten up this predictable and leaden set. This genre is best described as a musical cul-de-sac and has stuck with the same script and image. It was very much a time and a place, namely mid to late eighties with males dominating.

Headlining are KOBRA AND THE LOTUS. They are a Canadian metal band fronted by Ms Kobra Paige, a dynamic and diminutive firebrand of a girl. She comes highly recommended as a protege of Kiss supremo Gene Simmons. She has long blonde hair and is feisty and full of venom, but in a nice feminine sort of way. Bedford Esquires represents the second date of their short British tour. They were at London's Borderline last night and end in Nottingham's Rock City on 8th November. Last summer saw the release of their self-titled debut album and "Welcome to my funeral" is the undoubted highlight. They reach their zenith with it and it is included in the encore finale. Kobra is naturally enthusiastic and playing the part for this song as she dons a top hat for full effect. The three guitarists ply maximum power but the constant sounds of keyboards and piano are rather baffling as they are not spotted on stage. Spooky! Perhaps ghosts do exist and as Kobra quite rightly points out mid set "Thanks for coming. It's Halloween and we're playing rock 'n' roll".

Kerrang magazine called her as "tallismatic", a fair description as she fronts these full throttle metallers. This is a band that would appeal to fans of say Nightwish or Huntress. To their credit, the folks who have paid money bunch up to the front and give generous applause. As the band pack away their kit and the crowd make their way home, I muse to myself. Rock and metal gigs by touring bands of this stature are rare in Bedford, but this evening feels like a wasted opportunity. There is another show of similar ilk being staged by Bedford Alternative Music in Holy Moly's downstairs at exactly the same time and that was arranged and booked many months ago. Did I hear someone mention buses?!