Missing Andy, White Line Diaries, Tequilla Mockingbird, The Bluebook Project.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Saturday 28th September 2013.

Juicebox return to Esquires presenting a sold out gig. Plenty (and I do mean hordes) of travelling music fans make this quite a raucous occasion. It always is for Missing Andy! Opening the show are THE BLUEBOOK PROJECT . A learned friend fills me in on this rather unusual band name. Apparently it was a code name in the USA for UFO research years ago which was not officially acknowledged until years later. I'm glad that I was told this as I thought that this five piece Bedfordshire band had chosen a name with more 'nudge-nudge' connotations.

After witnessing this lively lot making their Esquires debut in the bar a few weeks back, I was hotly anticipating their first main stage appearance. They did not disappoint and put on an excellent show. In fact it's the undoubted highlight of the evening. Their music has instantly captured my imagination and they pulse constant energy. It's rock 'n' roll with more than a sniff of punk and a cough of Britpop indie. Angular and spiky, presented with a hi-gloss sheen, with just a hint of the pub! "Pistol figures" opens their account. They certainly do not lack confidence. They also contain a left-handed bassist or a 'McCartney' as some of us like to describe these southpaws! "Joanna" has a familiar sound to it, practically verging on the grungy and it halts abruptly. For a local band that are not yet gig wise, their demeanour is to be commended. They thrive on the big stage with no banal chatter or irksome gurning to their mates that others of a similar ilk are all ready to do. The songs come thick and fast. "Backward conversation" and the closing "Hurricane blues" are my highlights, but honestly, the whole set thoroughly sates my musical juices. I do look forward to my next sighting of The Bluebook Project. A good start.

Sadly, TEQUILLA MOCKINGBIRD were not such a riveting experience. With stacks of their loyal followers in attendance, I muse that pubs in Biggleswade will be empty and quiet tonight. This five piece have collectively enjoyed a good and oh so profitable year with several high profile shows (a band competition in London was also a highlight for them). They are steeped in traditional seventies rock with a bluesy flavour. When they ply this they are a forceful live proposition. A promising start is completely ruined, I feel, by a laughable and woeful cover of "No woman, no cry". It unnerves and is inexplicably shocking before ending in a pop punk manner. Why was that done? Tequilla Mockingbird are so much more comfortable when they drench us with pure undiluted rock for the majority of the set. The look of this band is good; beards, flowing long hair and a stylish hat are spotted. As for the ill-advised cover, well I can quote the lyrics from one of the band's songs: "It's far too late for you to say you're sorry". Urggh, please stop!

WHITE LINE DIARIES describe themselves as "the little fish in the big bowl". A sweet description. A quartet, they feature a vocalist who, perhaps for the wrong reasons, you can't take your eyes off. With his exaggerated high pitched vocals and a weirdly expressive hand, one wonders at times whether he should be wearing a red sequinned dress! One song utilises his unique larynx, it's like 'wee' Jimmy Somerville fronting Jamiroquai. "Huntress" is a composition that we are invited to join in with. Our genial vocalist assures us that the words are very easy. Sure enough it's chocful of "ooh, ooh, ooh's" and a few generous "la, la, la's". He introduces the songs well, but musically their two guitarists really need a keyboardist to contrast or compliment, but above all expand this band's otherwise limited capabilities. Stylewise it's hard to fathom what they are hoping to achieve. They flit from ska to pop while light cabaret gives way to rock, but sorry, the rap parts are just unintentionally funny. A cringing experience. No more!

Returning to Esquires are MISSING ANDY . Once again they have creditably sold this venue out. Swelled and boosted by their loyal and fanatical followers, many of whom proceed to drink the bar dry. It's a rarefied atmosphere tonight in the main stage venue, that's for sure. This Essex five piece were runners up a few years ago on the Sky One talent show Must Be The Music. However, please do not hold that against them as they are not saccharine sickly. Their roots lay with a tough, typical old skool motto of a 'load up the van and play anywhere' band. They mangle together some veritable sounds such as Britpop, ska and of course the parka wearing mods, whose big influence rules so mightily over some of their material. Also there seems to be inspiration from early Glasvegas as there are plenty of terrace anthems for the drunk and emotional tonight. "Young disciples", which is similar to a couple of other songs in their set, owes heavily to The Streets. "Money" and "Glorious" both have a retro soul feel and the former earns some clapping. "Scum" is dedicated with a special introduction. Played acoustically it includes some rapping vocals. Missing Andy manage to create a party hard atmosphere. They also have a prize to give away. Nonchalantly, these 'erberts announce that they have nicked a watch from a service station to distribute. Ultimately it's won by "a man with big hair". "Mr Policeman" is a ska mash up which our crowd loves, skanking and dancing, but above all, partying. The two song encore is encapsulated by "Happy place". The main stage certainly has been. They impressed me!!