PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER.

The Borderline, London. Friday 16th January 2015.

A question I and a few other local music friends often ask ourselves is "What Bedford bands or musicians would you travel many miles to see and support?" This frequently mentioned poser always creates interesting debate. One such band that I have consistently enjoyed for many years and have failed (for various reasons) to see outside the confines of our market town is PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER. Having formed in 2008 as a five piece, the departure of bassist Oli Carter last year has not dampened the burning fire of ideas that fellow original members Lee Vernon (vocals, various), Andy Paris (guitar, backing vocals), Simon Rinaldo (organ) and Chris Thatcher (drums) continue to have in their collective psyche. Tonight, in West London's Borderline, they are playing their first gig of 2015. It is a real cracker as they have been booked to support STRAY, themselves no strangers to us Bedford music fans as they have often appeared in the town and driving force and original founder member Del Bromham is often to be seen in Esquires. Indeed, there is a great deal of affinity between the two bands as the veteran rockers (who influenced Iron Maiden remember) supported PHR on their album launch of "This mountain waits" back in April 2013.

I admit that this review is slightly different to the norm as it is more of a general overview of an 'away fixture' experience rather than, what was to be, PHR's awesome performance. Upon arriving in the Oxford Street area, my travelling colleague and I had an hour to kill so what better way to prepare for the show than a couple of pints in a nearby hostelry? The Pillars Of Hercules is an old pub steeped in history and is very highly recommended! As is usual at a lot of London shows, the doors are early and prompt. This one is 7pm. Once inside it is a walk downstairs to the gig room. My gaze is immediately drawn to the framed memorabilia hanging on the walls that shows numerous past events and bands that have played at The Borderline over the years. I like that. It is classy and impressive and is something that Bedford Esquires, for all it's legacy, hasn't done justice to. Venue heritage is important.

Pearl Handled Revolver assemble on stage at 7.30. The room fills up steadily and is slightly L-shaped in appearance. Raised areas catch out the unwary. Capacity is hard to judge. Maybe 300 at a very tight squeeze? Tonight is busy but comfortable and I estimate it is just over half full. The stage is compact and the PHR lads have enough room to demonstrate their assured presence. The lights are stationary for the lads, but do flash when it is Stray's turn to perform, the home side advantage perhaps? The toilets (at least the gents) are frankly shocking! There is a large pillar that restricts some viewing, but a TV set next to it does give a perfect view of what is happening on stage. Del Bromham is at home in his chosen manor and Stray T-shirts are worn by many people. He is very warm and full of praise when amusingly introducing 'our boys'. As the pleasantries are completed, PHR get down to the serious business in hand. It's great to see a healthy smattering of Bedfordshire faces that have made the same trek through the busy Friday commuter crowd. The band's sound is, as always, handled with aplomb by a very familiar face to attendees of Esquires. Its Emily, the venue's regular sound enginer. She achieves such superb clarity tonight.

2015 should be such an exciting year for Pearl Handled Revolver as they are soon to release their third album. The psychedelic blues rockers are only too pleased to give us a few tasters of the new material, such as "Help me down from the trees" and "Loverman", while "Honeycomb" sits exquisitely in the set. My vantage point is perfect; dead centre and about 10' from the stage. I think that it's the closest I've ever been to the band. As an extra treat for the audience, Del Bromham joins the fellas for a couple of songs. The highlight for me is this combination totally sparking together for "Hello Mary". Del, complete with pick between clenched teeth, spars with Andy on guitar. Lee smartly steps aside to let them take centre stage. Chris has worked himself into a real frenzy and cools off by removing his shirt. Simon is coolness personified and just lets his nimble fingers do the talking. Pearl Handled Revolver are given loud and rapturous applause at the close of the set. It is thoroughly deserved and they seem to have made more new friends tonight.
My long journey has been rewarded with an evening to remember and savour, except for that ghastly cider at the bar! I wonder though, with the nearby 12 Bar just recently closed down, it will be interesting to see how much longer The Borderline can survive. It must keep the greedy property developers away from the doors and all the hallowed musical memories that the place has played host to. Is another small venue under threat? Oh well, homeward bound. Now, where's my train ticket?