THE PRIMITIVES with The Metatrons, and Bowfinger.
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Bedford Esquires Lev 2. Friday 21st June 2013.

What were you doing in 1988? Well, twenty five years ago Britain had a female prime minister, The USA had a former Hollywood film star as president and Primal Scream had just released an album. Oh well, some things never change! Tonight's headline band THE PRIMITIVES , also featured on C86, had a memorable year with three top ten singles, including top 5 hit "Crash", as well as the top ten album "Lovely". To commemorate the LP, an anniversary tour is planned for late September and culminates at 100 Club. When The Primitives disbanded in 1992 it looked like the end. It was until 2010 when, following the death of bassist Steve Dullaghan, original members Tracey Tracey and Paul Court played a tribute gig. They enjoyed the experience of making music again and decided that the time was right to take The Primitives into the 21st century.
Esquires is just over half full, but those who are here appear to be full on dedicated fans. For them only one band matters, The Primitives. Centre of attraction is, without doubt, the diminutive Tracey, complete with huge dangly earrings. Back in the eighties she was an iconic poster girl, her gorgeous pictures constantly on the front pages of the music press. She still looks lovely and smiles throughout. However, her dance moves on stage are akin to your auntie at a party after probably one too many gin and tonics! Bless her. She greets her adoring fans by politely saying "I think you know who we are". Well beloved by both John Peel and Morrissey back in the day, we certainly do! Initially the sound is not good.
The band have their own engineer and it does take a while for the young man to reach the right clarity. The die-hard followers don't appear to be too fussed, especially when "Stop killing me" is performed, although this song does have a whiff of "La bamba" running through it. The set is predictable and contains a hefty sixteen songs. It's the older ones that garner the most reaction, such as "Panic", "Lose the reason" and "Rattle my cage". The latter featured on the band's recent EP "Never kill a secret" which they released in the spring of 2011.
The Primitives never wrote about social commentary. Their three minute bubblegum pop songs were consistently simple, concise and ultra catchy and all appeared to have been written in their lunch breaks. Apart from "I'm not saying" in which Paul Court takes lead vocals, it's Tracey who sassily belts out every song in her unique way. This is not her first time in Bedford and Tracey asks "Who saw us the last time?". The old familiar favourites are rapturously received by a crowd who, to a peson, have snugly bunched up toward the front. Firstly it's "Spacehead", then "Sick of it" before The Primitives go out on a double whammy of "Crash" and then "Way behind me". The quartet bow. The insatiable audience demand an encore and as the band reappear, it gives us one last chance to see Tracey shaking her star-shaped tambourine!

It's always a genuine treat to meet up with BOWFINGER . As usual they are in an ebullient mood. They need to be as, judging by the faces of the early arrivals, not many people seem familiar with them. The Luton chaps do not mind in the slightest. I always fail to see how anyone could not enjoy or be won over by their never ending stream of jaunty tunes, plus their continued cheeky charm. Old favourites "Action girl" and "Pressure" bounce along joyously, while the more recent "10 pence on the return" is already a fixture in my consciousness. The power surged "Conversation" comes fully armed and detonates with a rock 'n' roll ending.

THE METATRONS are a four piece, female fronted pop band from Herts. After seeing them perform in the downstairs bar a few months ago and not really enjoying the experience, I was slightly concerned as they stepped out on stage. Tonight they nearly won me over. Their vocalist displays both warmth and plenty of humour. She is fantastically attired, almost exotic one would say, with a red flower nestled in her dark hair. There is such a healthy retro feel to their songs and they are a perfect match up with The Primitives who look to be a major influence on them. The Metatrons display that same three minute song structure that incorporates large doses of either "la, la, la" or "na, na, na"! However, The Metatrons have a major problem. It involves the bassist who, according to a female friend, reminds her of a shop dummy! "a remarkable resemblance" is the exact quote. Also the keyboard is a slight stumbling block. It is malfunctioning, but it did only cost five pounds! "Please mister" finishes the set off in fine style. An all round quaint band.