Bedford Alternative Music Presents: The Thursday Showcase.
The Crimson Dream, Keeper Of The Rifle, White Lines To Sunset.

Bedford Esquires Lev 1 Thursday 4th March 2010.

Photos (c)Bedford Alternative Music 2010.

WHITE LINES TO SUNSET, take us on our first excursion in to sound on the first Thursday showcase that hasnt rained. They got in to their stride after the first song, which I felt was a bit ropey as an opener. Their bassist just wasnt vocally able to reach the notes, singing off kilter to the rest of the tune; his bass work though was spot on, playing noticeably and particularly well, despite bandaging suggesting a wrist injury. After a shaky start and their guitarist taking a more active part in the vocals, their sound became more tight and demonstrated a great overall band sound. Their guitarist belted some good sounding vocals in to the mix, these are a good bunch of musicians easily able to swing from a cheery raw pop punk to a more acoustic like tone on the spin of a coin and with faultless drumming thrown in. I have heard a lot of bands with a similar sound to these, nothing new but certainly good at what they do.

A much hard hitting tougher sound than I imagined from KEEPER OF THE RIFLE, and defiantly the tightest and well practiced band on the night, you would think they played a gig every night at this standard. Not much by way of showmanship more concentrated on producing their bombardment of sound almost impossible to describe in a few words with out using the word heavy! Its heaviness laid on with a trowel, with a sound coming on thick and fast. One of their guitarists is a blur of long dark hair while the others have a more hardcore appearance and vocal sound. Although there is not much let up in their balls bitingly gritty sound, they also have ambient intelligent proper tunes, hypnotizing you with a wash of great (and loud) sound.

Aaaahh THE CRIMSON DREAM, they just get better and better since their conception, an original sounding band and coming over really ambient and tuneful as well. Stunningly good instrumentals are employed, with other tunes with vocals also and gorgeous sounding guitar playing, while throwing all the metal shapes and poses during their set. This seems to be a band taking itself seriously at the moment, with new songs being written and other plans in the pipeline. They still look new on their feet though, just a few more of their own songs with lyrics to learn so they can drop the play by numbers basic tune of Paranoid from their set (any other Sabbath song would be welcome though). They seem to have a great other timely Viking Valhalla edge to their sound quality, with lush instrumental breaks played so well by their amazingly melodic guitar work, atmospheric bass and sliding keyboards pinned together with some neat drumming from their bushy Goth like haired drummer.
Gratefull thanks to Ritch Theodore for an excellent and apreciated sound job on the night.