Pirate Radio, That Night Forests Grew, Fences And Floodlights.
Dannys Bar Lev 1 Esquires Bedford. Thursday 18th July 2013.
Fences And Floodlights (intro) Vid Fences And Floodlights 1 Vid Fences And Floodlights 2Vid That Night Forests Grew 1Vid That Night Forests Grew 2 Vid Pirate Radio 1 Vid
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Tonight certainly has to be one of the most varied New Blood Showcase nights, presented as ever by Bedford Alternative Music. Even a late cancellation by Vendetta (a horse related incident spiked their appearance) failed to dampen this musical cocktail.
First up are the wonderfully named FENCES AND FLOODLIGHTS . They are a local male five piece who are all in their mid to late teens. What of their music? Well a psychologist might well diagnose them with a particularly rhythmic case of personality disorder. The instrumentalists may veer towards a rocky pop punk route, but their precocious vocalist Alfie appears to have been weaned from a very early age on seventies pop culture, even down to his shoulder length hair. He possesses a really good voice and has a confident demeanour, but he must try and stop constantly saying "how yer doing" or "are you having a good time" after every single song. Just remember Alfie, - with between song banter, less is more.
The whole set is fun to watch and the material has come out of their collective heads. It's all very impressive considering that this is their debut at Bedford's premier music venue, plus their age bracket. Audience participation is freely encouraged and duly carried out by their keen, eager and enthusiastic fans. They begin with "Your fate". Hand clapping is compulsory, but I always find this a tricky request with a pint of the usual in my hand. The set skips freely from bedroom pop to some frisky head-shaking noise-offs. A slow rockier effort is "Wasteland" which features a great guitar solo. "Stand alone" is a full on stomping, jump up and down pop punk one. Fences And Floodlights go out on a high, firstly with "A night in December" and then "Hailee", which contains a good old fashioned rock riff coursing through it's veins. Well played Fences And Floodlights for an excellent Esquires debut. Teenage musical flirtations are of course statutory, but their very own song writing ideas and their subsequent execution are worthy of note and impress immensely.
This fine start was matched and more by my favourite band of the evening, although I hated their name, THAT NIGHT FORESTS GREW . It's so inapt. Not knowing them before hand I was half expecting some weedy emo kids to appear (sorry no offence intended). TNFG have apparently been going through a period of change, you feel that they now have a renewed sense of purpose. It's their first visit to Bedford, having travelled down from Peterborough. They are now fronted by Jay who was originally their bassist. He is bespectacled, tall framed with a chiselled physique and a damned impressive voice. The set is full of grit gargling emissions and he rants and rages in all the right places. His face continually contorts with all the skill and grace of a rabid dog. From his initial lung-bursting growl it's "Only the brave" who survive. TNFG are very much an R-18 band especially when all the previous band's fans flee the room rapidly! The tension and dynamics they emit are so laudable. A bare knuckle fist fight to the death between the delicate melodic, introspective breaks and divine, but brutal, ugly noise. It sure induces musical amphetamine psychosis. Evil drum work is provided by a lad proudly wearing a GB Olympic vest (gold medal to you sir). They impart elements of Dillinger Escape Plan (thankfully not re-enacting Reading festival 2002!). "Old hands young hearts" is the ace in the pack. A musical hole has a gentle intro before a hefty dollop of hardcore is poured fully into it. "Glass lungs" is dedicated to a good friend in attendance but it could also be in praise of Jay and renamed rusty steel lungs. Fabulous effort by all of this band and a return visit is a must.
Late last year some familiar local musicians got together and collaborated on a new project. Tonight, making their Esquires debut are PIRATE RADIO . This groove laden rock quartet easily draw the biggest audience. They all appear in the bar about ten minutes prior to the band's first song. Pirate Radio lead us through four decades of the genre, all condensed into a single set. From Led Zeppelin to Metallica, a bit bluesy, a touch classic. It crackles with the electrifying air and spirit of pure, unadulterated rock! Frontman Rob Muir conducts affairs with an honest to goodness swagger, his rasping bluesy vocals boom out giving full value to the quartet's self-penned songs. Tall and angular, it's also nice to see guitarist Pete 'Sever The Strings' Hunt plugged in and performing here again. His nimble finger picking skills have been missed. Of the set I especially liked "Sirens" and "Twisted love". A muscular melange of riffs, Pirate Radio seize their chance and opportunity by perfectly pumping fresh blood into some vintage sounds and ideas. The song are well structured, but thankfully not formulaic, a trap that so many bands of this ilk fall into. A technical treat, a veritable feast of retro rock sensibility. I will be totally staggered if we do not see Pirate Radio on the Esquires main stage in the coming months. Hopefully they will be given the chance. My only concern is the band name which I'm sure is used by others.
Review by Keith www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk