'Craven Presents - The Thursday Showcase'.

JUDGE MENTAL, BAND 2, ELEMENTS OF REFUSAL, HELICOPTER BLADES INSPECTOR.

Danny's Bar, Bedford Esquires Lev 1. (16+ gig)

Thursday 16th February 2006.

I'm sure 'JUDGE MENTAL' would readily admit themselves, that they have absolutely no stage presence to speak of. Although the drummer puts in a more than competent performance and the instrumentation as a whole is quite a high standard, sounding something similar to a cross between Frank Zappa meets Nirvana.
The bass player was the drummer from Delicate Children - a good little musician and plays hidden behind an amp with his back to the audience, allowing me to be fair in saying that the band has the lack of presence of a freshly robbed Santa Clause.
Brother to the guitarist of Del Chill, (where was Ant?) the singer on lead guitar sitting on a chair up front, can certainly play his instrument demonstrating his ability rather well, he just needs a bit more encouragement to sing louder, even though the mic. was turned right up, the singing could hardly be heard, almost as if he was having the vocals phoned through. I think what this band needs is a real front man singer, which would eliminate some of the nerves and stop them from just appearing like a good radio band.

'DEAD KID SONGS' Did I hear an Enter Shikari influenced rave edge to the beginning of their set? I felt a touch of class going on with this band, making it all seem something more than just a pub gig. Their blond quiffed band member looked the part, the bassist moved well around the play area, they put their all in to the gig and bought a healthy support as well, some of whom new the lyrics to the songs. Not only a good front man but a good singer as well, although moving irritatingly with that screamo emo style of fist behind back movement, although vocally wise performed a varied style to their set. I think it would be fair to say that they would deserve a longer set, which with their varied approach would entertain well!
D.K.S. Web, My Space



'ELEMENTS OF REFUSAL' I caught this band before, tail end of last year at a good venue 'The Exchange' in Luton (performing with Summerfall). I was impressed then and again at Danny's bar. They put in nothing short of a classy performance (dispite a string break on the first song) and certainly deserve a bigger stage. Their bassist moves around so well reminding me of the keyboardist of 'Track Zero' who is able to move around energetically and be musically accurate at the same time.
They have some sweet intricate drumming as well , - not just a tip tap background noise.
I felt my eyes narrowing in appreciation for this band, it was a case of a great sound performed well. Probably the 3rd best band I've seen all year (although one was a big band in London, the other begins with H). They had a merchandise pitch as well, in a wooden display frame like a small Punch n Judi stage.
Although entertaining and colourfully performed their bassist has a very black & white image, with black T-shirt over a white shirt (might steal that style myself), black & white boots and even a b/w guitar; looking as black and white as Mr. Bodger's Badger. "Mashed potato anyone?"
E.O.R. Web, My Space

Although not watching the other acts them selves 'HELICOPTER BLADES INSPECTOR' formerly 'Dan Flay Experience' thanked everyone for staying to the end and the night was wound down by a mellower act.
Singing like an angel in places with solo, acoustic and more meatier parts, there is quite a varied act when the drums and guitars collide complimentarily to the sound, allowing quieter sections mixed in with parts to rock out to.
My Space

Four bands totally free, relaxed setting. These showcase evenings are putting on a good show. I think some of these bands will deservedly appear again upstairs on a line up at some point soon.

REVIEW TWO BY Martin Stapleton

The Regular showcase Thursday featured four bands tonight who, except for the headliners, are new to the venue. Three piece grunge orientated JUDGEMENTAL open the evening. This Bedford outfit, featuring Dan O'Halo (lead guitar / vocals), Wee Dan (bass) and Sniggy (drums) offer a powerful sound but unfortunately the vocals are painfully weak and barely audible. This is not helped by the vocalists reluctance to stand up, preferring instead to sit down and practically whisper silently into the mic.

Post-Hardcore predominantly features in the next two bands. Firstly from North Herts are four piece DEAD KID who, in their own words. play music that is emotional, beautiful and above all, deadly as hell. From the off, Dead Kids are 'at it' as their vocalist Tom puts every sinew into their opening song 'Captain / Worship Variations'. With a group of their fans watching their every move from close to the front, this had all the hallmarks of being an exciting set.
The heavy strains of a backing track usher in 'Remember Kids, Fashion First' and 'Sobering Reality' features some great guitar work from Peter and Matt and ends with a terrific finale. 'The House' is a slower, more melancholic song with deadly wailing screams of 'This House is Dead'. Final song 'Red Shoes' ends The Dead Kid experience but a special mention must go to Dave for his pulsating drumming that propels the band forward.

The high standards of the evening are maintained by Luton's ELEMENTS OF REFUSAL, who just absolutely put my brain out of place with their collection of tunes.
They launch their set with 'The Five and a Half Minute Hallway' which jolts everyone's senses and grabs their attention. 'Stationary in Orbit' starts with a fair degree of screaming including the truly fearsome sight of vocalist Jon having a stand-up verbal disagreement with his mic. Considering the amount of gigs and venues that this band have played recently the gut-wrenching passion that when into this set was absolutely immense. 'Morning Star' could have been about the much maligned newspaper but what was immediately apparent was that drummer Simon was actually vibrating as he pounded his kit. Elements of Refusals set eventually reached a head-spinning conclusion.

For the finale, the most unusual and surreal name for a band has to be I'M A HELICOPTER BLADE INSPECTOR. This three piece comprise of Dan Flay (vocals / guitar), Jamie Randall (bass) and Craig Seymour (drums / vocals). This was a complete change in sound and direction for the evening as these Huntingdon boys produce a sound that brings to mind the much underrated Lowgold. Opening with 'The Protagonist', essentially a stripped down country song, it is followed by their eulogy to Spiderman's girlfriend, the actress Kirsten Dunst. This songs is featured on their album and it is probably as loud as the band gets and it explodes into a frenzy of noise. The set ends with 'Ninety Nine Nine', which Dan explains has nothing to do with ice-creams!

Review 1 by Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk. Review 2 by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordesquires.co.uk