Bedford Alternative Music Presents: The Thursday Showcase.
Shadow Factory, The Neons Acoustic, Judgement Day, Lionsex.

Bedford Esquires Lev 1 Thursday 6th August 2009.

Photos (c)Bedford Alternative Music 2009.

REVIEW ONE BY Keith.

SHADOW FACTORY were a late addition to the line-up and wasnt quite sure what to expect, I have to say this four piece from Luton was one of the best surprises of the year. Instantly likeable with a very Luton sound, Im surprised I havent come across them before. They havent been going all that long and the tall bass player hasnt been with them much at all. Their singer has a naturally good singing voice and the drummer knocks out some intricate rhythms, which I always prefer over just employing a repetitive tapping in tune with the songs. The songs themselves demonstrate that they have some good material, which was interestingly varied as well, including a prog-rock homage, with a song whose ending could be accused of dragging a little towards the end. Perhaps a few added guitar flourishes could be added to relieve the repetitive riffs? Having said that, the prog track still sounded good to listen to. Im glad there was room for another track afterwards, just to polish off a well rounded set.
Seeing how good their main guitarist is at this early stage, it made me wonder just how good will he be in the future? The guitar work was really good and just in the right places adding movement and rock metal poses also. I could see room for improvement but a high potential.
My only complaints are that although it was great to hear the highly recommended interactive banter with the audience (How is everybody, check our Myspace etc.) it may have been better suited after giving us a couple of tracks in to the set, so we could see how good they are before the banter which just kind of made you think Get on with it. My other annoying complaint is that Im away over the weekend and wont be able to see this band play in Luton both Sat and Sun nights. I would like however to catch this band again soon though.

Not wanting to loose THE NEONS who lost a few members due to holidays, it was agreed that they could acoustisize their set. Just down to two members on guitars and vocal duties made a refreshing break between the heaviness of the plugged in bands on the bill. These Dannys bar Showcase nights are a great opportunity to demonstrate peoples talents no matter what type or style on the same night. It never seems to work out if you try and do punk/metal/rock etc themed nights when bands keep wanting to swap gig dates so best to just keep them mixed and varied with the main aim to showcase your tallent.
There were still a few surprises from their set, one being when after a few tracks from the lovely looking girl on vocal duties, the young looking lad also had a singing turn and I really liked his style. The other surprise which got a few laughs was when a slight mistake was made and the most perfectly well pronounced Oh fuck! was exclaimed! It was a good and in my opinion a welcome lil acoustic set. Im so glad they played and with a new band opening the line up before them, they didnt even have the daunting experience of having to go on first.
One of the things that cheered me the most was that despite the heaviness of the other bands, they received the most respectively appreciative applause and crowd response. A big thanks for peoples support and well done to both the Neons.

Heavily influenced by bands such as Exodus and Overkill from the 90s thrash era JUDGMENT DAY were also capable of adding a fresh individuality. This was a no messing, horn throwing, truth to metal band. With no references in their lyrics to tiptoeing through the tulips. Brutal violence and lots of it, were the main themes of their hard hitting songs. I dont know weather to blame the band or the sound, but this seemed to be one of the loudest bands Ive heard at the bar, which as you would imagine well suited these metal Viking gods of metal war. Dark and atmospheric tones were well played by their bassist who interacted with the crowd with introductions to his players and some of the song themes and is also to be seen at the Jam sessions in town during the week so I knew how good he was musically before I had even tasted the whole band set-up for the first time. The rest of his crew are from Poland which I thought seem to add a flavour to the vocals and call outs between songs. The guitars in places are fast, intricate and melodic making this proud to put on band go down well, reminding me of the metal bands I have seen at the Camden Underworld quite a lot and certainly a band to look out for.

Having asked me for a gig just after I had filled all my gig slots available last time, I felt I had missed out on a potentially entertaining band, so made a note and promised LIONSEX a gig next time. This I was able to do and the stadium style performers were able to strut their ware. Think 80s glam, big hair, make up, the obligatory head scarves, dangly jewellery and youre on the right track, with a bit of military uniform and nakedness thrown in as well. Musically quite Billy idol meets Motley Crue and injected individuality along with a stonking stadium spectacle of a proper show performance. You cant possibly say this band cant deliver. Apologising for being late, although only late enough to induce a wondering where they are stage and in no way spoiling the show. Perhaps a bit predictable musically and after a few songs you kind of know what youre getting; it kind of does what it says on the tin, but there is definitely a high performance level from these true headliners which would liven up any bar on a ridiculously rainy evening.



REVIEW TWO BY Martin Stapleton.

Thursday showcase nights in the bar have rather passed me by in the last few weeks, so it was good to catch up on one this evening. The unexpected is here.

Luton's SHADOW FACTORY are a young band who bring us some good old-fashioned rock. Featuring Dec (guitar, vocals), Max (drums), Chris (guitar) and Robert (bass), they may be on unfamiliar ground but are immediately given a warm welcome. I am drawn to their second song and it's slight singalong chorus of "We won't surrender, we won't back down". At first glance it looks like "The Plan" is working perfectly for Shadow Factory. Crowd response, although slow to begin with, starts springing into action. The rather frenetic force is dropped a notch for "Won't Let It Go", although this song does bring a differing response from the band itself. Dec says "it's for prog fans", while I tend to side with Robert who thinks "it's a ballad". They may disagree, but it does show the mellow and quieter side. A stunning outro from their myspace offering and they were gone. It's good to report that they hung around to check out all the other performers. Sad to say that some bands rudely don't!

The evenings variation is exemplified totally by Mr Bedford Alternative Music himself. Keith announces thus - "We've got a mixed bag tonight! No we haven't, she's gone out for a fag!" Boom boom! Oh dear, 1970's situation comedy lives on!!

Unfortunately, due to circumstances not made apparent, indie kids THE NEONS are reduced to a boy/girl acoustic duo. Sandwiched between a lot of hairy sweating metalheads, this could have proved tricky but the youngsters, despite obvious nerves, were undaunted and win everyone over with their cheeky charm. Sharing vocals, the pick of the set were "Escapologist" and "Celebrities".

With elements of death metal combined with a thrash outlook, JUDGEMENT DAY are Zbigniew 'Zolo' Cnotalski (drums), Mariusz Kowalczyk (guitar), James Goldsworthy (bass) and Pawel 'Zielony' Zielezinski (guitar, vocals). It's clear from their opening sampled segment of audio newsreel of the 9/11 terror attacks in America that this is a band who put political material high on their list. Very loud and ultra heavy, frontman Zielony looks almost satanic as he delivers his crusading and mesmerising songs. Long flowing black hair, wild goatee beard and a regular penchant for raising his arms skywards at every given opportunity, at times it really is "Metal madness". The old skool "Whiter than Snow" is riveting, while "Dark" is heavy, heavy, heavy. The bass player is amazing, all the more so when you consider that he is blind. He tells us how important the clock is to us in everyday life. We are totally ruled by it, as they perform "Time is the Perfect Killer". Intense and controlled throughout, "Random Act of Violence" is the second consecutive song inspired by fighting. "Jihad Joe" is a cutting tirade about the bomb attacks. "Part of Me" reflects domestic violence. A performance that very nearly razes the Esquires carpet.

LIONSEX end the evening. A bunch of glam-rockers from Milton Keynes, two of the young band members have obviously struck lucky and stolen their mum's make-up bag! Plenty of lipstick and eyeliner, not to mention copious cans of hairspray. I do, however, find it a tedious set of cliches when they tell us "We want to put the sex and drugs back into rock'n'roll!". No amount of illegal substances could possibly raise my interest in this rehashed turgid drivel. A cover of "Rebel Yell" is possibly the lowest moment, but it is a flat end to a good evening.