VENDETTA,
with SOVIET FILMS, FRIDAY AT 3, THE FACTION and THE DUM DUM BOYS.




Dannys Bar Lev 1 Esquires Bedford. Friday 3rd February 2017.




Tonight in the bar of Esquires, Bedford Alternative Music (BAM) held its first gig of 2017. A truly mammoth five band extravaganza of which combined has live gig performing experience and inexperience. First up to the mic’s were THE DUM DUM BOYS. Initially, this band confused me with their name, as it is the same as an old Bedford band who held sway back in the 1980’s! (Maybe a Lazy Sunday Festival or two?) This trio hail from Milton Keynes, Lucas the vocalist (and bass) wins me over almost immediately as he calls that town “A shit hole!” The band is complimented by the lofty Louie on guitar (oh yes! They play a cracking cover of the classic Louie Louie) and Sam on drums. Considering their young ages, their heart and influences lay with music made many years ago, cue White Riot. They have only been together since October 2016 and this is just their third gig. It’s a most promising set. They inform between songs but don’t over pamper to the crowd. Concentration stays with them mostly throughout. Their own song, Teenage Eyes, certainly ticks all the relevant boxes. Building slowly before epically rocking out. The Dum Dum boys may have sat at the bottom of this BAM gig poster, but hopefully next time, higher up, they will be tickling the tonsils of the monster! (See poster!).

(Click here for The Dum Dum Boys Video 1)

(Click here for The Dum Dum Boys Video 2)

THE FACTION, again, they are new to me. They appear to be popular and to their credit have drawn in many friends and admirers. All of these people have made it their aim to get right up close to the stage. A five song set features their own material (except for a K.O.L. cover mid way through) two songs certainly shone out, firstly Naïve 18’s. it’s quite Muse’ish, with an old skool garage punk riff biting at the core. Thoughtful lyrics knit the whole composition together. It is a song that threatens to fully explode, but tantalisingly it never does. Their other ‘gem’ is Quiet Riots. This has a slow start but quickly gathers a pace. I Don’t Know Why is vigorously shouted out and comes complete with plenty of appropriate handclaps. Needless to say, their many followers give a massive response at its close. A sharp set.

(Click here for The Faction Video 1)

(Click here for The Faction Video 2)

Coincidentally, on February 3, we get FRIDAY AT 3. These fellas are here to “Liven things up”. A bold statement to make, considering what has gone on before and this being also the bands debut gig. Making that first momentous step are Lew Fountain (lead vocals, bass), Charlie Regolo (guitar) and George Willoughby (drums). What struck me about this novice band was how tight, taut and polished they were. Practice obviously makes perfect for this trio. With a plethora of “Wo ho’s” in the catchy chorus of Volcano Eyes, modern rock is lacing the stage in a Don Broco sort of way. It’s all earworm friendly on first listen. Neatly written compositions complete with lyrical observations, especially dare I say with “There’s no more I can say or do”, which gently tugs the heart on Slow Down. Occasionally, confidence. Sure enough, “That little bunch in the middle” are only too happy to help out. A more restrained pop punk flavour occurs with Drive. While they bow out ever smiling with Lets Lose It! No, Friday At 3 definitely won it.

(Click here for Friday At 3 Video)

SOVIET FILMS have travelled quite a few miles to be with us this evening. This quartet have driven all the way from Peterborough, no mean feat on a busy Friday traffic night. Armed with only themselves and their trusty kit, but sadly the local fans have made their exit. For Soviet Films its one of those difficult ‘away’ gigs when all the earlier mass hordes of people, chip off to the car park and have a ‘vape-off’ between ‘French toast and hazelnut’ aromas! Yes really! Soviet Films are older and more experienced in their live and recorded music making than the rest of tonight’s line up.
They have brought along copies of their 2016 album release Cetacean. The set fails to convince me fully to buy the aforementioned CD on first viewing, they are a supremely difficult band to pigeonhole or musically gauge. They touch many bases, without stamping full authority on them. Many musical avenues are explored, but sadly, often find a cull de sac. Beards rule with this band, all have lush facial growth! They interact well in such difficult circumstances. Sometimes dark, dense and a wee bit mysterious, Soviet Films infuse plenty of intense, emotional punches. They look to have honed their all round craft to a level of satisfaction and clearly enjoy what they deliver. Their post rock soul searching, often sits comfortably next to the rapid A Wilhelm Scream ish style blast offs, complete with its desperation and pleading vocals. In fairness to Soviet Films, a further viewing would I feel give a more balanced review of them.

(Click here for Soviet Films Video)

Yes! I fully admit, I have not always been a big fan of VENDETTA, going back to when I first saw them play at Esquires, in June 2013. Tonight I thought they were simply sensational, a fantastic set, joyously performed. Every song they played, continued a burst of rhythmic energy, that simply pounded into your conscience.
Their metromic collection of songs merged into one glorious hypnotic maelstrom of noise. Vocalist Meg is on top form, ably leading her fellas who just effortlessly produce cyclical clanging guitars and pounding drums, that drives their sound. It fully reverberates around the room. Vendetta simply overwhelm any empty spaces which are simply swallowed up by their huge irresistible rock grooves, which all explode into frantic riffage and crash land right there in your face. Tonight deserved headliners Vendetta, trade complexity for large swathes of ethereal light and crushing sounds. On this showing, they make a most convincing case for heavy music as centre stage, a rendition of Chop Suey is for party purposes only. Vendetta are soon to be competing in the annual Metal To The Masses heats at the brilliant Club 85 in Hitchin. The winners play Bloodstock Festival in August. You’ve got to be in it to win it and good luck goes out to Vendetta. A top night all round. Its one where a breathless reviewer, needs a drink to recover!

(Click here for Vendetta Video)

Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk