G.M.T. (Robin Guy, John
McCoy and Bernie Torme), The Fifth
Quarter, HeKz
Bedford Esquires Lev 2.
Saturday 29th September 2007.
Big thanks to all the bands and evryone that came and gave
suport. - Keith. www.bedfordmetal.co.uk
REVIEW 1 keith.
Rather like trying to put a metal band at The Angel whitch never really works on
a small stage HeKz
were cruelly ensconced on a milk crate (Angel stage) sized platform, like caged
birds of prey, due to the immence drum kit of the headlining band. - Were we in
for a headlining treat!
I'm sure Niko
the HeKz drummer didn't mind though, he was more visible up front and put in his
usual well practiced natural rhythm - even when disaster struck and his hair gel
needed replenishing! With his trade mark flower garland and Everton scarf
adorning his kit he even joked his band about by purposely keeping the band
waiting while he yawned and stretched until he felt like starting in his own
sweet time.
Recently recovering from a throat infection and loosing a few octaves Matt
Young was on top operatic vocal form for this performance, nothing would
stop the gig, with the line-up being looked forward to be playing on so much. He
had a good handling of the crowd, great bass playing, heartfelt vocals and of
course. his black fluffy trouser leggings. There was a join in section of
tuneful screams with the audience willing to participate and a set which
included old live classics with fresh tracks from the new C.D.
being launched at this gig. Adam
the guitarist doesn't usually require too much space to play on,
concentrating on accuracy with occasional gazes to look up and smile at the
crowd. Danny
on the other hand squirming on the spot like a bag of eels putting in all
the metal band movements required for a visual performance, climbing on to amps,
shoulders,
- anything he could find. It was a good set, mixing catchy romps like 'Flight Of
The Harpies' with the epic riff laden saga of 'Exodus' fully demonstrating their
talent and range. - Young heads on old shoulders (or someone's shoulders!).
Having only learnt how to play guitar since the previous Wednesday and learning
his third chord in the car park just before the gig The
Fifth Quarter were on next. Only joking - the young guitarist Ben
Pool has been playing for years and I'm sure finds it all too common to
receive compliments of his electrifying guitar abilities. Marc
and John
on drum and bass provide a decent session backing to compliment the playing
ability. Heavily influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughn and other blues luminaries.
They announced a few of their own tracks that I thought had just as much
potential as their covers. I think newer songs should be swapped in to their set
now as it's starting to sound the same each gig, which nevertheless remains
constantly awe inspiring.
G.M.T. were in fact even better than I
thought they would be. Although not needing all the space for the band members
as they did not thrash around a great deal. Robin
Guy's drum kit however was bigger than their rider and a behemoth sized
beast, with cymbals stacked like Christmas trees. His drumming style would have
been totally wasted to people at the back as they would have missed his
drumstick gymnastics and other clever 'tricks on the sticks'.
John
McCoy on bass with biker like appearance several coat changes and a mean
bass line was certainly impressive. Bass solos are quite rare at gigs and his
was one of my favourite moments, with almost Asian or far eastern tones, he
later appeared with his elephant bass, with tusks and smoke fuelled top piece
from the candle like moulding, forming the top structure of his instrument.
One way to enjoy any live gig is to first be familiar with the tracks, so for
some months before I had been listening to their albums. During the sound check
I soon learned they would be playing my favourite track 'Road To Dublin' with
its rolling rhythm. Some of the songs in their set were however rather basic,
clichd and repetitive - "You can't beat, you can't beat rock and raaawl"
- yea yea sex drugs and sausage roll, we've heard it all before mate, like
trying to re-invent the bicycle.
But what of the man him self, Bernie
Torme, with great credentials along with his singing voice and amazing
guitar playing. - One part that totally amazed me was the total accuracy of
sound when he played with his teeth - their didn't seem a note wrong. Their was
the old rock guitar wind milling and other showman moves, I thought there was
danger of it all looking the same right through when they started but GMT
defiantly put on a show.
REVIEW 2 BY Karen Jones.
OK. I'm doing this when quite drunk - but you wouldn't expect anything else! I have never been to a Sid Worth gig thing before because the bands are generally rubbish, but I have been lured here by HEKZ. (Well, not personally)
Having seen these young lads a few times, its difficult to know what to say. I never liked Maiden as a small child, and I'm not a major fan now. HeKz do all the sounds without the ego wankiness, although I think they should start learning. I thought they got a bit of a poor reaction tonight, but the voice still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
FIFTH QUARTER are not my thing, but they do it very well. The old people got mildly excited at the extended widdling. However, it still seems more suited to the bar downstairs or a Sunday (or both).
I have never heard of GMT (well I had a very dull afternoon at the British maritime museum once - nuff said). I thought it was a load of old cock. Sorry, but someone had to say it. The singers bald patch showed up brilliantly under the lights, and the other bloke looked like a pimp or a twat. Shades indoors and a Harry Hill collar is not going to catch on. It might be for 'charidee', but if it wasn't for HeKz I wouldn't even be up here. These blokes might have played with some famous people, but that's not really a good enough excuse. Yes you can do guitar behind your back - yawn- teenagers can do that now. I hope that when I reach 50 (if I live that long), that I have something more to look forward to. I did however find myself having to do the lights to "Smoke on the Water" which was quite strange. I highly recommend "Humo en el agua" by Senor Coconut.
G.M.T. 
