THE KOKOPELLIES
with Ego Trip, Anti – Hero State (Last Ever Gig).

Holy Molys Lev 1 Esquires Bedford. Thursday 20th June 2013.

Formed 2012 ANTI-HERO STATE gave us their last show. A band that impressed me from the first time I saw them back in August last year in an air conditioned Charlie Browns Luton venue on one of the hottest days of the year. Sounding at times gruffer than a grave robbers dog, although seldom seeing a singer putting so much passion in to the vocals, with screwed tight eyes bellowing all lyrics with all the gusty strength of a contained explosion.
I hope their guitarist doesn’t spend too long without a band to play in as it would be a shame to lose such a well played talented one. You would certainly be hard pushed to find such a spectacular drummer also, intensely acrobatic in his performance, certainly no learner and positively gifted, adding both flair and style in with competent drumming to their songs, I hear he has also been approached by no less than three other bands asking for his drumming services for their bands.
one of this band’s songs on the night was their first ever written piece, which was announced as written when they were 13 and I thought stood the test of time. I remember local band EnvyFour having Dirty Little Secret cemented to their set list whenever they played and here AHS gave us their version, one of many covers making me think perhaps the extended time slot was a bit too much for them. They lapped up the time allowed and gave us a fine one to go out on. Genuinely sad to see them go, they honestly impressed me from the first time I saw them to the very last. I feel their individual bandmembers are skilled enough to go on to other things when whatever the future holds for them settles.

Very special guests from Leighton Buzzard EGO TRIP totally unable to give anything other than a great performance every show, with their Bedford Alternative Music gig being no exception!
I know I wasn’t the only person thinking how tight as a band they are, after hearing other people say the same, proven when they initiate sudden stops and restarts to a timed precision. They are obviously a well rehearsed outfit and one leaving me thinking would be enjoyed by people who were not even in to their particular type of music, giving undeniably a fun injected quirky outlook along with their ability to play and adding an uplifting skippy vibe. Most entertaining!

Ah the Koko’s with added decorations to the room making it their own. THE KOKOPELLIES gave one of their best performances from start to finish. Having seen them a number of occasions including a Battle of the bands where they not so much battled Ego Trip as befriended them, inviting them on this special night. This was certainly different to any other of their gigs I certainly wasn’t left thinking I had seen it all before. Opening with an extended drum section at the front of the stage area, blending in to their set of infectious, self written tunes and a few of their Koko styled covers also. I wish their guitarist was in the band, that may seem a strange thing to say but he seems oddly detached from everyone else, instead preferring to skulk up the corner playing undeniably well but leaving me wishing he would move closer to and throw some shapes in with the rest of his band members. My other Koko wish would be for more saxophone incorporated songs to add to the tropical goodness. Their front man is a consummate show man, both singing with harmonic levels without going out of tune and interacting with the crowd of loyal fans up front. I was surprised he stayed on stage as long as he did, he usually jumps in with the audience more. Guest friends added to the singing on one song adding further variety along with several hand held drums, shakers etc being handed out to some of the audience for an interactive jam with the band. Their bass player (what a gentleman) helpfully acknowledging where to come in on the additional drumming to the crowd volunteer (the AHS drummer). To end an amazing set other band members and guests partied up on the stage area, while the smoke machine billowed a visual trance . Like a mid summer nights dream, all we needed was a horse up there as well! Oh wait! – we had that also.

Anti-Hero State 2 Vid