THE SWAMIS with
THE VISION, ROYSTON JONES and AMY LEE. Bedford Esquires Lev 2. Friday 14th September 2007.
Review 1. Keith. www.bedfordmetal.co.uk Revciew 2 Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordesquires.co.uk
REVIEW 1 BY Keith.
Just how talented is AMY LEE, the opening act who
seems to endear all who hear her, even an empty room can sound packed out with
the roar of sound made by an appreciative audience after each song, I'm sure she
was perched on a high stall last time I saw her live, here she was last night
standing and delivering her fine flowing tunes, not seeming to trip up on any
chord or fluff any lyrics, which showed a lot of practice has gone in to her
set. Amy seems a popular opening act at gigs and wish her all the best.
Middle aged, middle of the road style ROYSTON JONES,
were perhaps not the most memorable band I've seen, rather static on stage while
delivering some really good material, good to see their bassist (6 stringer I
think) enjoying him self so much. They are a four piece, combining a sometimes
acoustic sound, in with the electric rock chords creating what I thought was
quite a well honed crafted sound. An OK while you are there band but probably
not one I would run out special to see.
After seeing THE VISION, the thing I would remember
the most is just how good they got as their set went further on. They had some
keyboards in to the mix and a well built singer putting a lot of energy in to
both his vocals and guitar playing. They had a much better stage presence than
the previous band adding more vitality to the on stage performance. They just
seemed to 'get on with it' while not pulling anything exceptional out of the
indie hat, but defiantly having something about them to entertain an audience.
They also gave out a respectful call out to the anticipated Swamis up next.
OK getting on to the main reason I was at this gig - which is rather an unusual
one! Quite a while back I saw a poster on the bog wall of Esquires of a band
called THE SWAMIS, they were depicted with their
duffle coats on, stubble, manky hair, gormless expressions and seem to represent
everything I hate about the image of the stripey top culture of the indie scene
fashion. 'Who on earth', I thought, in their right mind, would see that poster
and say "I wonder what they are like live, I must go and see them"
Strange then the amount of people who know me and know my musical tastes who
have said to me that The Swamis are really good and are sure I would like them.
OK their poster works about as well as a sundial in a grave but seeing them live
is another matter. My god I really liked them. Not quite the gormless trout's
their poster depicted, they put on a crowd engaging entertaining set, heavily
tattooed with Led Zeppelin imagery, their front man with floppy hair and elfin
features strutted round the stage like a consummate performer. None of that up
down up down strum guitar work most indie bands employ either, they go for a
heavier energetic rock style to their songs and are able to put on a real visual
show to their music - check it out - www.myspace.com/theswamis.
Much used on Bedford's circuit by various indie promoters, Swamis have returned
to Esquires frequently and look as if they are here to stay!
REVIEWED TWO BY Martin Stapleton.
To the huge disappointment of this reviewer Sister Ray were not able to perform this evening. However, the replacement is AMY LEE who continues to show nearly as much confidence as her illustrious and esteemed namesake! When she has a slight technical problem at the start she just shrugs it off, takes it in her stride and produces another polished performance. The same can also be said of ROYSTON JONES. This four piece again play a set full of shufflesome acoustic rhythms which bring some welcome and refreshing testosterone-free anti-pop. Once again frontman Josh has to explain that he is not called Royston. It is however a rather confusing band name. Newer song "Stars" is brilliantly performed and is a song about Josh Kershaw's dad. It climaxes to a rock finish where the guitar skills flourish and rise to the fore. But Josh, where were the ripped jeans tonight!?
Arriving from the Northampton and MK area were a band new to me, they are profoundly called THE VISION. A five piece who create a sound pitched somewhere between Stone Roses and New Order. As seems obligatory with this style of music, the vocalist seems somewhat overly dressed, certainly under the warm lights! Coolness over comfort I suppose. It is well presented and includes some euphoric anthems, especially "Trust" which has a swirling 'baggy' intro. The Vision also break for a couple of acoustic songs "Travelling man" plus "Bought and sold". The slow burner that is "This is our Music" gets an extended reprise at the end of the set.
So to THE SWAMIS, whose statement of intent is provided by Dan and Paul who in the true spirit of Iggy Pop strip off their shirts and, as usual, perform bare-chested for the full duration of the set. Shaggy haired Dan congenially muses with the audience. His cheeky boyish grin is a permanant fixture, while the shaven-headed and more muscular Paul amazes us with his range of guitar skills.
This performance by The Swamis is being recorded, and with Caz at the sound controls tonight it is sure to sound amazing. The set opens with a stunning drum solo by Joe. A hushed reverence falls over the room. As usual there is sublime presence with this band as they construct a towering wall of noise without losing any subtlety in the process. There's heady thrills by the truckload as they break into "Journey of a Restless Mind", while they can still chill and soothe in equal measure, ably demonstrated on "Which way is Home?". Their ' swami army' get a welcome chance to join in as they provide the clapping to the demo song "Lost in the World". As always The Swamis elicited the kind of response usually reserved for touring royalty!