Strate Edge,
10-Year Prospect, No Ride Home, Unheard, Big Red Button, Dead Conscience,
Hollywood.
The Lizard Music Venue Bedford. Sunday 21 Dec. 2003.
This review would or may be of interest to: - the bands that played, the audience that went, anyone who missed out and wondered what it was all about and to the Lizard Venue for hosting the event. That’s rather a big build up but that’s in case its rather a short review.
The Xmas Manifest was originally for the young music scene of Harlington, at a village hall but had to be re-scheduled to a different venue. It was a sell out show, showcasing the young talent of bands from their area and some of which I’m sure could well be returning to the live scene in the future!
First up HOLLYWOOD I missed this band but were informed they were not all that impressive and I hadn’t missed much. Hollywood- although were unimpressive, they did surprisingly well even holding a set together when considering what they had gone through just to play: -The guitarist (who hadn't picked up a pair of drum sticks for over a year,) replaced the replacement drummer who had broke his wrist, leaving one guitarist when there should have been two and they had a replacement singer who was replacing someone who had walked out on them and had learnt the words then and there on the day. Given this, they filled their 15 min slot rather well with 3 or 4 songs including a title track. (D.J.)
I came in to the hell raised Death metal tones of DEAD CONSCIENCE a no in-between sound that people either like or hate. I know a few people who would have loved this band. It’s so rare to see this type of Death metal growling in local bands and made for an interesting change to the styles on offer.
In total contrast BIG RED BUTTON their blond guitarist had much calmer vocals which seemed to sound loud and hard enough, but with out having to put so much effort in to it and came over as quite a natural and competent singer. Their set had started before the heat had started rising they even wore coats on stage. There was a really good guitarist in this band, using a slide as well, to produce a cool Hendrix like ambience. I thought one of their songs had a ‘Run To The Hills’ – Maiden galloping riff. There was an anti-formula edge to the band, in that there were two guitars but no bass, who I was informed was dropped just days before the event. It made for an interesting set-up, which I thought worked well. There were quite a few cool things about this band. – They had stage presence, the sound, vocals, guitars and even the singer’s haircut.
I liked UNHEARD they had a distinct Grunge sound, although usually not my favourite style, they played well despite some technical difficulties and a dodgy bass lead. I think someone from this band was one of the people who put the gig on, along with someone from the next band. There were some hard hitting thunderous drumming and some gravely grungy tones from the woolly hated singer, which perched on his head rather like a beehive. They played well despite not sounding as melodic and seemed to be enjoying what they were doing.
The heavy riffs of NO RIDE HOME drew me more up front and created a good crowd reaction and even got in someone’s Birthday a mention. They created a stir with the more heavy stuff ‘of which I wanted more’ as they did it so well. The band also had a variation of style and got through some really atmospherically slower stuff which I really enjoyed listening to – although some people were loosing concentration, while talking through the more atmospherically melodic sections. I certainly found myself getting in to this band, with both sides of their sound and was left wanting to hear more.
As I’m not from the Harlington area, there wasn’t as many people around that I knew on the night and only having heard of the headlining band; so at this point I would like to say hello to a girl called Ruth that I met, Charley from Strate edge, the people from Goldigger that had come down, Jase, Liz on staff and Bunners.
The people of Goldigger recommended the next band to me 10-YEAR PROSPECT –well after hearing them I could recommend them myself. I heard they were asked to come back to the Lizard, which they must have impressed also. I think they performed a tight set and sounded as if they have the kind of material that would be ready to go in to a studio and I would certainly like to hear some of their stuff on C.D. Their drummer appeared to throw himself all over the place while knocking out some good beats and their younger smaller guitarist seemed to be concentrating hard on his guitar playing. There were a few tops removed by the band members as the heat was rising and some calls of “Get naked” from their friends in the crowd, who were moshing and enjoying the performance. I think it was this band that bore his arse at the end, which made for probably the worse sight of the night; a great sound all the same – (from the band, not his butt!).
A lot of these bands were playing for the first time or had only previously played at their schools. One of the bands that have had some live experience were THE STRATE EDGE - they’ve been reviewed on Bedford Metal before but I’ve never seen them myself. They demonstrated themselves as quite a well practiced, professional sounding outfit, - one of their brethren was seen on several of the other bands sets sorting out the technical systems on stage; no stranger to a live act and it has to be said, they put in a good performance. They had a noticeably good vibe and happy air about them and being full of air would describe their singer’s blow up guitar, which he had fun with at times, he also done some lolloping, skanking dancing, showing that the barefooted singer was enjoying himself on stage.
Their instrumental ability and material was fine. They covered an old school Metal classic ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ I thought they were just doing a few riffs but was glad when they belted out the whole song. It was good to hear a bit of Rainbow, which was supported on the singer’s sweatbands also. Their own material showed that at the moment musically the Strate Edge are on top form.
There was someone dressed in top hat, waistcoat and tails. – This whip less ringmaster compared the acts and despite a few of the younger Sunny Delight generation being evicted for smuggling in alcohol, it was an exclusive, well-organised sell out show.
Review by Keith Pickering, except Hollywood by David Jones www.bedfordmetal.tk
