PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER
with The Omnivibes.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Saturday 17th November 2012.

It's been a hectic and momentous year for the lads of PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER. At the beginning of 2012 they released their debut album "Colossus" (on King Mojo records) which has received much praise. The touring has been quite extensive and the gigs have racked up throughout the months, culminating in a prestigious show at London's 100 Club in October. For this reviewer, my abiding memory of their many exploits was on a scorching Sunday afternoon in July (admittedly a rare occurrence this summer!) at the Bedford River Festival where they played a superb set. Tonight Pearl Handled Revolver are back where it all began in 2008, on the main stage at Bedford Esquires.
The venue fills up steadily with a mix of old and young faces, all united in their appreciation of the music. There is a collective air of expectation. As with all PHR shows the presentation is excellent, with plenty of ideas and forethought. A giant TV is showing dreamy psychedelic visuals, a projector is beaming shots from the Hubble space telescope onto the ceiling panels. How cool is that? Space or the Earth from beyond, who can tell. It's all very trippy, but very effective. Lava lamps rule ok!
Creativity thrives with this band. Why you only have to marvel at the relevant gig posters, all designed and drawn by PHR drummer Mr Chris Thatcher. Vocaliast Lee Vernon speaks for the whole band as he informs us that it is great to be back at Esquires. Fittingly it is their final gig of the year, but they are not going to be idle as they are putting the finishing touches to album number two.
This meaty five piece all knit together so well. Andy and Oli dovetail their guitar work superbly, Chris provides precision beats, Lee's smoky and gnarled vocals, all topped off by the divine organ sounds courtesy of Simon. Even a few minor technical problems cannot knock PHR out of their consummate stride. With such a rich portfolio of songs in their back catalogue, the band are certainly spoilt for choice in their set list selection. One of their oldest (but always a favourite of mine) "The Robin's Garden" is a treat to behold live. So is my personal highlight of "Colossus", namely the sonically charged "White Lines". With the songs impressing, all the while in the background the kaleidoscope images intoxicate. With an awesome rendition of "25 below", the band reappear for an encore that includes the aptly named "Head" before Pearl Handled Revolver bow out to the inevitable cheers and applause.

Although only a duo, Paul and Tom, otherwise known as THE OMNIVIBES can certainly up the ante in the noise department. The action starts with Mr Paul Jackson sitting cross legged on the stage. Needless to say he is armed with his sitar (he comes fresh from supporting Kent Duchaine in Holy Moly's last night). A friend whispers ever so quietly "four poppadums and ten pints of lager please"! The Eastern sounds that he creates so expertly offer quite a huge contrast to the rest of the fare on offer, which borrows heavily from The Black Keys. The song structures embrace all the various ingredients of garage blues rock, pure heavy and undiluted, may I add. I especially enjoyed "Move On" which initially contains a standard Hendrix-ish riff before developing into something more Stones-y in flavour. At it's close, Paul smiles and jokingly admits that he nearly forgot the words to it! "Tell Me" is also a song worthy of mention. Once again The Onmivibes end up bare chested by the close, due to the sheer energy of it all. The aforementioned electro sitar makes a reappearance for the closing moments of the set.