RIFLES
with Liam Burke Music.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Friday 29th March 2013.

I first saw THE RIFLES at Bedford Esquires way back on 6th July 2006. At the time they were a quartet who had just released their debut album entitled "No love lost", mixed by Ian Broudie. So good was it, the disc was seldom off my player that summer, anthems aplenty. It sold well so fame and fortune obviously beckoned. Listening to that album even now, I think it still stands the test of time. A loyal fan base built up steadily which culminated in further album releases "Great Escape" from 2009 and "Freedom Run" which followed a couple of years later. Somehow, for whatever reason, they just never quite got out of the cult status and into the big time, which this reviewer sorely hoped they would. Taking huge retro mod influences, they were (and still are) a 'geezers' band. Back in the day The Rifles had regular appearances on Sky TV's Soccer AM Sofa with Helen and Tim which further cultivated this image. Having not really followed their progress post "No love lost" I found it quite surprising when I heard that they were returning, courtesy of Juicebox Indie, to Esquires as an acoustic duo.
A large, boisterous male-oriented audience has rapidly gathered here on level 2. The bar should do well, tonight is pay day for many, plus it's a Good Friday evening to thoroughly enjoy. To rapturous applause, Joel Stoker and Luke Crowther walk on stage and ease everyone in gently with the standard welcome of "How ya doin'?". The crowd cheer back and it gets incredibly loud when "She's Got Standards" strikes up. It's quite staggering to see such a reaction to two people armed only with a couple of acoustic guitars. It's perhaps a bit like the politest football terrace in the land. They hoist glasses of beer into the air, but little seems to get spilled. Image counted for so much with The Rifles and many attendees still sport 'that haircut'. They join in, word perfect and are praised by Luke who acknowledges "everyone's singing so good". He still wears that flamboyant hat with his long hair sticking out. He's still, because of the headwear and Soccer AM, affectionately referred to as 'Robin Hood'. The pair swap vocals constantly. It's only a brief visit to Bedford as Joel informs us that right after the show they are "driving back to London". A wag in attendance shouts out indignantly "Get the train"! He perhaps wants to party with the duo.
Advance tickets tonight are pitched at £14, so it's not cheap (plus it's not the full band), but I spot no-one who feels shortchanged. For a fair weather follower like myself it does seem a tad strange to hear these lively Rifles songs stripped back to their raw and bare basics. Of course we should have known that this could happen as "Spend A Lifetime" was recorded semi-acoustically on the debut album. It's beautifully replicated this evening.

Supporting, and playing his biggest show to date, is LIAM BURKE. Looking slightly nervous, he dives straight in with "Cocaine Whisky and a F**k". Almost immediately he is distracted by a fella close to the front. Initially he ignores him, but while introducing "Down to Danny's", Liam asks the punter "Is your name Danny?". We do not catch the reply, but we hear "Well this song's not about you". Only a handful of people in attendance have seen this tall performer before, but he gradually wins them over with his amusing and self-deprecating jokes about his "terrible" music. Everyone, even this laddy crowd, seems to love an underdog. His argumentative streak also precedes "The Ride" as Liam asks "Who likes Bill Hicks?". Stony silence is broken only as Stef Anderson steps on stage to provide backing vocals. After ripping off Beans On Toast (the artist not the snack) on "Facebook picture", Mr Burke closes with "Sons Of Liberty". "It's about "being pissed up and poor and I'm both of those things" he quickly adds.

Rifles set list:
The general
She's got standards
Sometimes
Local boy
Long walk back
Great escape
Out in the past
Winter calls
Love is the key
Spend a lifetime
In my heart
Peace and quiet
When I'm alone
Coming home
Toe rag
Rock the beat
Romeo and Juliet

Review by Martin Stapleton www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk