MERCHANDISE, Blisseyes, Liam Burke.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2. Monday 26th August 2013.

Never averse to taking a risk when booking exciting new breaking bands, The Pad Presents were again proved right when they introduced MERCHANDISE to the Bedford music connoisseurs. The band are currently on another UK tour that has also taken in the weekend festivals at Reading and Leeds. It was a huge gamble considering the fact that this is a Bank Holiday Monday night and also that many prospective punters will be returning from the festivals and in serious need of a bath and proper solids or possibly just 'music-ed' out. It's good to report that there are quite a few people who have travelled back in double quick time to reacquaint themselves with Merchandise. At least there is no mud to contend with at Esquires.

Altogether the room looks to have about a hundred people in by the time the headliners appear. Front man, and somewhat iconic spokesperson, Carson Cox leads his band on stage. Considering his tiring schedule, both physically and emotionally, he looks and sounds remarkably chipper. He gazes across a room full of strange English faces and utters a wholesome and cheery, but guttural, "Hey, hey, hey. How are you doing Bedford? We're from Florida". These Tampa Bay buccaneers instantly draw rapid camera flashes from around them.. The stage is dark and moodily lit which does add to a band's natural aura. Formed way back in 2008, they were an integral part of their hometown hardcore punk scene. Even though they have dissipated into a different muscial direction they still think and operate with a strong DIY punk ethic. A total disdain for blood sucking corporate music companies. Having grown up with the anti-commercial bands, their homegrown roots still exist. Their last EP "Totale night" was recorded on the tiny Night People record label. Merchandise begin with "In nightmare room" which people here know. Many thought it was the stand out track from their "Children of desire" album released exactly a year ago. That disc was ranked as the 24th best album of 2012 by the band's biggest English ally, the NME (the weekly music magazine has been fussily wiping their collective noses and brushing Merchandise's musical hair constantly these past eighteen months). The aforementioned last EP produces two live offerings tonight. Firstly "Anxiety's door" which is a near seven minute epic. Lyrically it has Carson telling of his midnight rambles around the place in America that he calls home. "Winters dream", like so much of their material reeks of Spacemen 3. What else does Merchandise conjure up for me, their new found 'virgin' spectator? Well, as mentioned, plenty of glazed and spaced out post-punk leanings, ramped up JAMC guitar work but incorporating a vocalist totally enraptured (by the sound of it) by the voice of one Steven Morrissey. They may be as American as blueberry pie, but they sound like English roast beef! One thing is for certain, the hardcore structures have been well and truly ditched. There are no three minute heroes. Playing just seven songs, each one is very lengthy, never more evident than on "Roser Park". This builds through to climax with a psychedelic sheen of noise. Merchandise are in no hurry to leave the stage and they milk the ending to the hilt. During the show, Carson Cox is always the focal point. His interaction is good and he even fends off a few drunken remarks. His replies are, from my vantage point at the back of the room, rather hard to hear. His drawl is quiet and at the end of the gig I manage to grab a word with him. He's loved the festivals and looking forward to Cardiff tomorrow. He also kindly writes out a set list. He sure looks like a threatening pit bull terrier, but behaves like the andrex puppy! Above all, he is cool and classy, much like Merchandise.

Sadly the main support tonight EAGULLS were struck down by vehicle problems and are unfortunately stuck in Leeds. Taking up the secondary role are BLISSEYES . They are based in Cambridgeshire. It's a slow start and visually rather puzzling. They vocalist keeps holding his head. Is he desperately needing an aspirin or conveying intense emotion? "Delicate" is very earnest but does find this reviewer struggling to detect what they are aiming for. On the plus side they are selling a two track cassstte for both Kidney Research UK and Addenbrookes G5 transplant ward. "Manson" and "Hold" which feature are both replicated tonight. The set only really comes alive when "Ivory dress" is performed. I like my bands to show a more lively stage presentation and unfortunately Blisseyes were far too static and stodgy. Perhaps a touch too arty for my taste.

Stepping in at only a couple of hours notice is 'rentabusker' or LIAM BURKE as he is otherwise known. Another high profile support slot (he was in The Rifles show earlier this year) and yet again he gives us a slice of life on the streets, cue "Hitch hikers blues". Wit and wisdom go hand in hand with this man's cryptic lyrics. Unlike his last Esquires visit we even get to sing along to "Sons of liberty".

Merchandise set list:
In Nightmare Room, Anxiety's Door, Winter's Dream, I Locked The Door, Worthless Apology, Time, Roser Park.