Bedford Alternative Music Presents: The Thursday Showcase.
Envy Four, Shadow Factory, A.R., Apparently So.

Bedford Esquires Lev 1 Thursday 11th March 2010.

Photos (c)Bedford Alternative Music 2010.

Recently formed at the tail end of last year APPARENTLY SO from the near Luton area and only a BOTB gig at Redborne Upper School behind them, were added to bill at late notice (hence why there not on the posters) As this type of gig set up would be so ideal for this level of experience a decision was made to let them play. This band were certainly not disappointing, I found them totally entertaining which is what its all about, they have a young girl on drums who plays so well and seems an asset to the band, especially when adding atmospheric use of the cymbals adding texture to the songs to great effect. Not much movement from the rest of the band, with more attention drawn by their amazingly cheery frontman who seems a good all round singer and showman exuding a cheeky expressive charm and presence, whether playing their own material or covers including the song Gay Bar which after a confused start went down well.
Their sound drifted towards mild rock, with an acoustic edge during one song where the guitarist rested on a chair to play. The songs were quite varied; some sounding samey throughout and others with entertaining enthusiasm and a certain sort of cockney east end barrow boy charm to the vocals Even more better than I thought they would be, they certainly looked as if they enjoyed playing and I certainly enjoyed listening. A band that I would like to see again.

Thinking this band would be just another quarter length wearing screamo hardcore band I was pleasantly surprised that A.R. (still havent found out what that stands for answers on a postcard?) were definably on a loudly heavy slant, but really melodic and listenable also. Evidently the tightest set up on the night and looking as though they totally enjoyed playing and bouncing off each other for their individual sound. Their singer guitarist had an amazing blues edged sound to his vocals bouncing from one foot to the other in some songs, its great to see a band not taking them selves too seriously while sounding stylised, professional and practiced at the same time.

SHADOW FACTORY was the first band to get the crowd up off their seats and form a tightly packed line up front, really cool people who made an effort to chat to the other bands making friends on the night helping with their supportive audiences participation. After a few line up changes since I saw them last, they appear to be a band on top form, with a very Luton band sound including a fun loving crowd controlling singer/guitarist/front-man. Good guitars and bass make a tight overall sound, pinned down by their cheery drummer who is the bands ambassador of rhythm keeping.

Admittedly nervous with this their third gig ENVY FOUR (great name) didnt show it, they just got on with it and played an entertaining great set of both their own material and covers, with pop punk infused Green Day like cheery rock out numbers. There are some good guitar flourishes from their well played guitarist (Go Liamskie) with bass and guitar seeming steady without much movement either side, with the main stage presence emanating from their main singer guitarist, recently recovering from a throat infection although sounding on top form on the night. Perhaps its because he looks so happy to be playing that made him seem a confident and consummate front man with a great stage presence which the all too close crowd evidently enjoyed.
Expert like busy drumming ads to their uplifting cheery pop punk sound of a fresh band still finding its feet but retain a certain wow factor and underlining potential. My god this band are so good someone in the crowd actually fainted during their set!