PALMA VIOLETS,
with Childhood and The Jebs.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Friday 26th October 2012.

According to the dictionary (remember those?), the definition for hyped up is excessively promoted, artificial, fake. Tonight on the main stage, The Pad Presents PALMA VIOLETS and NME have described them as "the best thing to happen to British music in years". A very weighty statement from a tired and out of touch music magazine that is probably working the same policy as the tabloids do with the England football team, namely build 'em up and knock' em down again. Remember the much hyped Joe Lean and The Jing Jang Jong? A few weeks ago Palma Violets were awarded the prestigious NME front cover photograph (6/10/12) - well it did make a change for musicians under the age of 25 to be given it.

Palma Violets arrive at Esquires as they draw towards the end of their busy October tour which has seen them travel the length and breadth of the UK with twenty four gigs in thirty one days. Phew! Are they jaded? Of course not. At their young ages it's a gigantic adventure and the biggest ego trip imaginable. Sam Fryer (vocals, guitar), Chilli Jesson (bass), Pete Mayhew (keyboards) and Will Doyle (drums), only started playing gigs at the beginning of the year, truly a meteoric rise. These Lambeth lads have recently signed to the legendary Rough Trade label. Good news or is it? Ah the music industry. It seductively lures young bands into its fold, throws shedloads of money at them and thrusts them into the spotlight. It takes over their ethos, preens their look, wipes their noses, dilutes their spirit then inevitably and neatly drops them in the gutter when the all important first album doesn't make back the money they gave them. This is the key to Palma Violets' future success, the debut album. Give them a great producer and a healthy slice of luck and they could be mega, or on the other hand the bargain bin beckons.

The live show is simply sensational. There is great interplay and chemistry between Sam and Chilli (like Pete 'n' Carl!) and a farsifa for variety. The main stage room is packed and, rather surprisingly, there is quite an age range present. The band possess a controlled arrogance and are casually attired with no pretensions. As technology does its best to rip the soul and humanity out of pop music, it is nice to report that they are just a good old fashioned, raw rock 'n' roll band with plenty of swagger and attitude. They owe a lot to the Londoners of the past eg Clash, Libertines. Indeed, it's ironic that it is exactly ten years since the latter's "Up the bracket" was released. I feel that Palma Violets' material is rather mixed, but "Best of friends" certainly grabs the most reaction from a fanatical and manic mosh pit. This song was released last Monday. It is a double A side and copies of the purple vinyl are snapped up post-gig. With a two song encore, Palma Violets treated the paying public of Bedford with a lot of respect.

Supporting Lambeth's finest throughout their tour are CHILDHOOD. They seem to be the perfect accompaniment because, I'm afraid this lot are woeful and would make anyone following look good. Saccharin coated indie which this reviewer finds predictably plodding. Pleasant background music songs are sometimes inexplicably topped off with some psychedelic noodling. They are fronted by the wonderfully monickered Ben Romans-Hopcraft. He stands tall and imposing with his big mop of afro hair. Their variation is wide ranging but baffling. If you listen carefully you may be able to discern some old skool baggy or a song that nearly sounds like Joy Division (god forbid!). I have read recently that Childhood have been described as dreamy. Well, to a degree that is correct as I was almost nodding off well before their end.

THE JEBS play to quite a sizeable crowd considering that they are first on. Their vocalist is, to use an old sporting term, playing through the pain barrier as he is still suffering the after effects of a broken jaw. The boy did well considering that he is still recuperating. Lyrically The Jebs rely on a lot of catchy singalong stuff that is based on "la la la la la" or the ever reliable "on and on and on". As per usual this band have bundles of energy, smiling faces and great passion. The stage presence is good, but the songwriting still need to be improved upon.