SIMON TOWNSHEND, with THE PINCH and THE MYND SET.
Bedford Esquires Lev 2. Thursday 23rd February 2012.
Review by Martin Stapleton.
Despite BEDFORD ALTERNATIVE MUSIC playing host to the second of their showcase nights in Dannys bar here in Esquires, this reviewer was upstairs for the mainstage gig. I did, however, grasp enough time to see the soundcheck of SUBJECT TO CHANGE, an excellent Luton female fronted quartet who, hopefully, did themselves justice when the show was underway. (Yes they did ed)
First on the mainstage was THE MYND SET, a five-piece psychedelic mod band from Stevenage. Noticeably fashion has ruled their heads as they are all attired on the warmest evening of the year in rather thick coats! Needless to say, their hairstyles are also almost from a bygone generation! The Hammond organ takes centre point. It may have taken quite a while to hoist it on stage, but it is certainly worth it. Critically speaking, one could say it is the only remotely interesting thing about this band. The militarily attired frontman puts full energy into I AM THE ONE, but it doesnt appear that the small crowd NOW FEEL THE VIBRATIONS. With a tambourine and a harmonica to give it that distinctive sixties feel, who is the MIRACLE MAKER indeed?
Obviously adept at birthdays, weddings and bar mitzvahs, main support band THE PINCH, just perform a load of random covers. They also contain a vocalist who whacks his percussion instrument like an epileptic in a tambourine shop! They trawl through versions of SHES NOT THERE, PARK LIFE, plus a rather bizarre MOVE ON UP, which is raved up with a whistle! Marraccas are also thrust about, where is Bez? WON?T GET FOOLED AGAIN finishes it. I think we already have!
Living in the shadow of an older and more famous brother has obviously had its effect on headliner SIMON TOWNSHEND, judging by his first visit to Bedford Esquires.
Although THE WHO probably died when drummer Keith Moon did (1978), Simon joined his brother Pete back in the mid nineties and has also carved out a solo career. Tonights appearance is part of his long nationwide tour to promote the current new album LOOKING OUT LOOKING IN. The main man fronts this quartet and wearing a woolly hat throughout, his face has the distinctive TOWNSHEND look. Sadly he does not endear himself to this reviewer. His arrogance is so noticeable, none more so than when he dismissively shouts out rudely at the young man on the monitors. With a lack of respect, he dismissively calls him a little bloke. What an inflated ego MR TOWNSHEND possesses. At least musically he provides value for money for the fifty or so in attendance. The ticket purchasers are fed ninety minutes of guitarwiddling. Technical problems mar so much of the set however.
MAKING WAVES is about relationships and why they go wrong. IM THE FACE is an old one. THERES A GIRL features on the album which finds a few sales at the close. It has all been quite rock orientated by the four piece band, but this is more chilled and reflective. Of similar vein is SHE ASKED ME. This mans ego is further inflated when he is talking longingly about performing with his mate, Roger (THE WHO) Daltrey. He finally wraps it all up and leaves the stage at ten minutes to midnight with the encore of I M THE ANSWER. Believe me, folks he most certainly is not!
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton.
www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk