Let’s Talk Daggers, The Surrealists, Drinsipa, Immortalus.

Holy Molys Lev 1 Esquires Bedford. Friday 16th October 2015.

Tonight Bedford Esquires played host to possibly one of the most exciting acts I will witness here this year. Of whom am I talking about? Well they are called LETS TALK DAGGERS , sadly however, the night does not go entirely to plan. A poor turnout doesn’t necessarily make for a bad gig but there are times when it certainly does help, that’s for sure. Lets Talk Daggers hyper, visceral rallying cries make most sense when played out to sweaty rooms with equally intense emotions, unfortunately tonight, we get the opposite. A handful of people, all slightly reserved to offer up anywhere near the reaction that this vibrant trio deserve or warrant. To their great credit, the level of commitment and endeavour never dips below one hundred percent. It must be very difficult for a band who are based in Eastborne to break out of a sleepy coastal resort and announce themselves nationally in the rock world.

Lets Talk Daggers are including Esquires on this, their current tour which is to principally showcase their soon to be released (October 23rd) new album, entitled A Beautiful Life. (This follows on from their previous recording Fantastic Contraption). Tonight Lets Talk Daggers perform plenty of tracks from it. Brainkiller offers an explosive start. They are not afraid or adverse to rip out some blistering hardcore, but subtly blend it with some quieter moments. The resulting mix fascinates, as opposed to irritates, which so easily could of happened. They infuse plenty of jump melody and spitfire guitars dominate throughout. Textured and relentless, this is a band whose armoury of songs is a virtual what’s coming next? Very visual, they constantly offer up a rolling thunder of riffs. What is for sure, is that these particular Daggers are razor sharp and ever cutting. It’s plain to see by watching them tonight, just why they are the current buzz and amongst the vast rock press. Their stand out song is of course I Love You Dad But I’m Mental. What does it musically conjour up, well perhaps imagine Weezer meets Husker Du. It sums up a band who cannot be totally pigeon holed or defined. These fellas chuck everything in to the mix.

Their following song is Clutchendials, is played with some mammoth Dillinger Escape Plan mathcore efficiency. Although Bedford didn’t exactly clutch Lets Talk Daggers to their collective bosom, I really hope this band succeed in the future. They deserve to for their unfailing experimental nous.

IMMORTALUS are the local faces on this particular show. Things have not gone too smoothly for them pre gig, as their regular bassist is ill and back home in London. Tonight Kieron has temporarily stepped in to replace him. Frontman vocalist Jamie cuts a mighty imposing figure. He is large of frame and possesses an Earth shaking voice, however, I feel he should leave his feeble joke telling routines firmly at home (or the pub) some people are naturals at filling in the gap moments, but sadly Jamie isn’t. With a broad smile he vainly cajoles the small gathering to move closer to the front. The Immortalus set features many of the tracks that formed their recent and hugely enjoyable E.P. considering their line up shuffle, it’s a powerful performance and this metal band continue to be one of my favourite local bands. Their stage presence is always lively and exciting.

DRINSIPA are back at Esquires and that means there is no time for chin stroking, as this ferocious duo keep their songs raw, real and right in your face. These Northamptonian’s superbly combine an aural blast and oral savageness. A lot of two pieces look at each other constantly, but Drinspia do it much less than they used to. It gives them more time to flex their muscles on stage. They pay homage. To the much missed Wet Nuns, in a heavy and technically skilled performance.

The less said about THE SURREALISTS the better. I just did not get what this band were trying to achieve. A ‘rock’ quartet, they lacked any credible songs and exuded very little personality.
The only good point I can summon up to say about them, was that unlike the two previous bands, they at least did get in the front row later on and supported and moshed to headliners Lets Talk Daggers.

Review by Martin Stapleton.