BAM Present - VENDETTA
with Laterala, Fellow Culprits, Ruthless Faze, Alexander Early Acoustic.

Dannys Bar Lev 1 Esquires, Bedford. Friday 20th May 2016.

Tonight we are in the bar at Esquires, for one of the occasional Bedford Alternative Music (BAM) gigs.
It’s a surreal night as the towns premier music venue is hosting upstairs, (main room) its first wrestling night, but I am firmly placed at a downstairs table, for some new, exciting and fresh musical sounds. I admit I do arrive slightly late and miss the first segment of Mr. ALEXANDER EARLY. This ever smiling singer- songwriter follows the influential route taken by Ed Sheeran at al and is to be our regular go to man between the bands on offer tonight. He plays a short set while all the kit is being swapped, changed and replaced. I feel it does him no favours, as Alex seems to need a ‘normal’ continuous set to fully build up a rapport with his audience. He is quiet and introspective in his playing and so studious. Although of a tender age, he is still vastly experienced in playing gigs. I can well remember him entertaining me constantly when he had his regular Saturday afternoon slots at The Standard pub during 2015. Equally at home writing his own material or effortlessly spinning out some covers, Alex Early is a musician to keep an eye out for.

Two gigs in two days, of whom am I talking about? Well, none other than RUTHLESS FAZE. Hailing from the towns and villages South of Bedford, this trio offer up a rough mix of retro rock and punk, that probably their older relatives would have influenced them on. Last night they were competing in the current Esquires Battle Of The Bands competition. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in reaching the next round. For these plucky losers however, BAM were on hand to offer them another gig. The local scene at present needs some new snotty kids on the block and perhaps Ruthless Faze can provide it. They certainly have all the attitude, judging by their two shows here. They play with a youthful rage, but the vocals are harsh and uncompromising.
Fire Ring is once again the Highspot of their set. (Which I may add is very much their own written material) The composition is a throwback to mid eighties Cult. Although Ruthless Faze are at times quite unlistenable, they display such a carefree, boundless fuck it all persona. I admire that, their selection of genre is randomly mixed and unfathomable. Either by choice or pure luck, The Stooges element shines brightly on a couple of their songs.
Stage presence is bold, but I was a tad disappointed by the drummer’s decision not to wear his shades tonight. Yesterday evening, when flicking his sticks in a confident manner, the dark glasses gave him an aura of coolness. A fine effort all round.

Next to entertain us and new to my eyes and ears are FELLOW CULPRITS. They display a calm feelgood factor to their set. It’s an extremely impressive Esquires debut. They were totally on the money with their ever infectious and constantly upbeat songs. They beam with a quiet positivity. Fellow Culprits unleash a suitcase full of pop savvy guitar ditties. For those who have been pining for some white socked and indie tops (usually stripy – ed.) they offer up some jangly gentleman’s rock n roll.
watching this band it seemed like it was 2006 all over again. These talented fellas are the ones to get you shaking your asymmetrical fringe with studied abandon (i.e. not much abandon!) Fellow Culprits are ones for the promising pile, on this a minor revelation of a set. Melodic and inoffensive, skilfully and tastefully played. A song called (I think) Three Years is the pick of their singalong catchy harmonies.

Returning to play their first Esquires show of 2016 are LATERALA. This five piece rock band are always high on energy and tonight is no exception. They seem to fill the stage with sparks flying gusto, belying the past line up changes they’ve suffered, endured and have now weathered. They explode around the small tightly raised stage in a mess of limbs, shouts and hair. Laterala have a commendably unique quality to their esoteric visions. Opening with The End, bassist James gives out a cheery “Hello” and then the song begins. Fast and furious, hypnotic gyrating riffs dominate. Contort your brain to that folks! Burn opens with an atmospheric intro before Stef screams loudly out, “Burn this mother.” Laterala rock out with infectious glee. Splicing keening melodies to coruscating poise. Complimented as it is with a craftsman’s expertise for song construction. As Handball and Masquerade reign out, the guitarists rotate and spin their heads in unison, hair falls out of messy control. Laterala’s set bled with tunes that will indelibly stain your lasting memories of tonight. Brightly anthemic, but with a satisfyingly dark undertow, these riff bulbous rockers myriad rhythms and moodswings, we hand on to every musical second. They rattle through their set with perennial pep and verve. With pounding drumming and guitar shredding to boot, they bring out the melody of tune totally in harmony with each other. Art Of Seduction brings the ‘curtain down’ on another fantastic Laterala show.

Headliners VENDETTA have also been through various line up changes and this evening are introducing new bassist Joe. They have been absent from gigs in the circuit for a while and they are eager to please Bedford. Vendetta admit that they “Like to have fun” and its interesting to see towards the end of their set just how many of the assembled crowd are jumping and moshing to their songs. I’ve never been a really huge fan of this rock band and their performance tonight doesn’t change my mind. Energetic, but short on quality for this reviewer.

Overall, Bedford Alternative Music presented a hugely entertaining evening which was extremely well attended. This is always a reward for the hard work and organising that promoter keith puts in. thanks to all involved in playing, which of course was a free admission gig.