Bedford Alternative Music Present: PUNK NIGHT. Featuring Hazard, with The Kindred, Brocker, Lost Whilst Live and Out Of The Inside.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 25th January 2013.

With HAZARD being mentioned constantly on every news station at the latter part of this week. tonight Hazard are headlining on the main stage. However, on this freezing cold night, it is not the moneybags professional footballer from Chelsea who takes great delight in kicking innocent ball boys! Our Luton punk trio just kick out at conformity! Their dramatic flyer tells us that they have an old skool sound, a mix of The Clash, Nirvana and UK Subs. Having stated that, one of their songs does possess the riff from "Gary Gilmore's eyes". Although I get the punk stuff quite easily, it's disturbing that they put so much ska-reggae into the set. This happens all too frequently, although only my personal opinion. Considering the adverse weather conditions forecast to hit Bedfordshire this evening, it is a great credit to all the bands and their followers that they turn up in good numbers as most have journeyed from South Beds. The mosh pit is constantly crowded and lively throughout Hazard's set. The band's live shows detonate pure punk energy and it will sure leave you battered and bruised - just ask the paying public. As time is getting towards curfew, Hazard overstay their welcome. OK they are enjoying the gig, or are they just being a pain? They continue despite pleas from the sound crew. They have previous in this at Esquires and maybe they ought to brush up on their timekeeping. Otherwise, fast and punchy with great riffs.

My favourite band of the night and a pleasure to see here are THE KINDRED. A street punk band from Luton, they comprise Paul Thompson (guitar, vocals), Rob Letting (bass, vocals) and Kirk Brandham whom they describe as "the best drummer in the world". This is a band that know what they're doing, can play and thankfully haven't done a huge genre switchover (common theme tonight). There is a heavyweight statement of intent as "Anti Nazi Riot" and "Enemy" blast straight in. "Bone Idle" is vehemently directed at people who cannot be bothered to get a job. As they finish a cover of "Sonic Reducer", they tell us jokingly that it is "another Green Day song" (it was The Dead Boys). Tonight's excellent performance lies in the age old maxim of playing to one's strengths, in this case power, directness and self-belief. OK, so no new territory is discovered, but the vocal urgency and drumbeat execution is so damned visceral. They showcase "Tenfold Killer Instinct" and "Split" from their 2011 album "Exacerbate". The closing retort of "F**k you!" is always a good ending from a genuine punk band. Streetsmart, fast and brutal.

BROCKER are a three piece from St. Albans. They seem to suffer a musical identity crisis, veering from ska to a combination of pop punk with cock rock on the singalongy "Gimme Gimme Rock 'n' Roll". Feeling exasperated, when they announce the next song would be "Satisfaction", even a cover would have been quite pleasing! On their last song, Brocker want to see "a big mosh pit". As they sing "She's A Woman" they ask for a female to join them on stage. A small young girl is their only taker and in the current climate it does look a tad creepy. Maybe it could have been better with a different vocalist.

The less said about the first two bands is probably for the best. Mitigating circumstances can be made for OUT OF THE INSIDE. Barely looking like shavers, they are extremely nervous. Technical problems from the band strike throughout the set. On this performance, the main stage seems to be a step too far at this stage in their development. Patience (and practice) is a virtue.

LOST WHILST LIVE are older and really should know better. Bizarrely they also cover "Song 2", as did Out Of The Inside. They never nailed one particular genre with one song sounding 'grungeabilly'. As the vocalist randomly shouts "Didn't see that one coming did ya ninja?", I'm sure none of us did otherwise we would all have stayed at home. Woeful!

DISCLAIMER: The editor keith/BAM is grateful to anyone sending in reviews of the reviewers personal opinions but does not necessarily agree with them, and would like to thank all bands for putting in an enjoyable performance.

Hazard 1 Vid

Hazard 2 Vid

The Kindred Vid

Brocker Vid

Lost Whilst Live 1 Vid

Lost Whilst Live 2 Vid

Out Of The Inside Vid