YEAR REVIEW
2012.

A look at 2012 at Esquires Bedford by Martin Stapleton.

As regular attendees have noticed, 2012 has seen many changes at Bedford Esquires. It has experienced many ups and downs, but this is not the time and place to dwell on those difficult times that we all went through. Instead, let us reflect on the terrific variety of bands and music that we have witnessed these past twelve months. Hopefully this will jog a few memories.

As is the norm, January is a relatively quiet gig going month. The undoubted highlight sees a long awaited return for the funk, ska and reggae ensemble New Groove formation on the 28th. It's not too long before they are back. Holy Moly's was treated to an intimate gig by the American singer-songwriter Levi Weaver on the 18th. Two lively nights for the younger generation occur, firstly when So Long Seattle arrive in Bedford on the 14th, and a week later on the 21st with Canvas. Local favourites Brigante headline on the 27th, while a party was had by all as The Pressuretones are the first gig in the bar on the 7th.

The top gig in February sees a packed venue celebrating Pearl Handled Revolver's album launch of "Colossus" on the 25th. Beautiful Sleazy offer up firm support for a memorable occasion. Simon Townsend (brother of Pete), now a sometime member of The Who, wins few new friends on the turgid Thursday evening of the 23rd, unlike Stefan Cush (from The Men They Couldn't Hang) and The Feral Family who arrive the next night. Sadly there are sparse crowds for both events. Also for the older musos are Nine Below Zero on the 17th. Something a lot different is offered up by Lecarla and Arms Of Atlas on the 11th, as well as The 1930's on the 18th. The popular Bedford Alternative showcase evenings begin in earnest on the 16th with, amongst others, The Noise Theory.

March is truly a varied and packed month and has so many highlights. Sheffield's Wet Nuns, described in NME as 'ones to watch in 2012' make the first of two visits to the main stage on the 17th. Ex Wonderstuff frontman Miles Hunt, along with Erica Nochalls leave their mark on a special night on the 16th, especially when the duo reappear a couple of hours later (1.30 in fact) for an impromptu reprise. Brit popper Mark Morriss (from The Bluetones) returns with acoustic songs and anecdotes on the 20th. Variety hall entertainment came to the mainstage when London's Buster Shuffle headlined a night of music and comedy on the 24th. Also this month were Knievel Genius on the 3rd and Missing Andy on the 31st. An early Irish shindig on the 14th falls flat with a below par Popes. Thankfully CC Smugglers managed to raise spirits slightly. Hotly tipped Filthy Boy appear on the 23rd.

April brings us something completely different on the 14th as Neil Innes, known for his work with Monty Python and The Rutles amongst others, enchants a seated audience on the main stage. Stories, music and plenty of crowd participation including a mass raspberry blowing session. Silliness rules. Two album launches occur. Longtime favourites HeKz introduce their rockin' "Tabula Rasa" on the 6th. A week later on the 13th, local urban-indie quartet The Wholls pack out the venue yet again for their "Back to the B-hive". Guitar blues technicians Larry Miller and Ben Poole sate their fans on the 21st and 20th respectively. There is a hidden gem in Holy Moly's on the 20th as Amanda Shires showcases her divine "Carrying lightning" album. Some welcome metalcore arrives on the 28th courtesy of Corby's Acoda. The traditional B.A.M. Maundy Thursday 'Best of' is headlined by Black Polaris on the 5th. They manage to fuse death, prog and metalcore.

Returning to Esquires on the 23rd May, after a long gap of nine years, are the 'teenage dirtbags' themselves Wheatus. A sold out gig also sees a support slot from MC Lars. The sold out sign is out again on the 4th when The Quireboys come to town. Sadly the 5th sees the only 2012 Esquires appearance of Smoking Hearts. The rowdy Shefford (and Essex) crew headline a Mind charity event prior to supporting Axewound. A low key evening on the 12th features former Supergrass bassist Mick Quinn whose new project is called The dB Band. Other notable nights are The Whybirds on the 19th, Sarah Petite in Holy Moly's on the 11th and a joint headline slot on the 26th featuring I Remember Tapes and Athletes in Paris.

In June, the extra long Jubilee holiday weekend opens with the hype of The Milk on the 1st, and they combine a soulful edge to their guitar sounds. Eighties music fans would have spotted 'Luton crooner' Paul Young in his broad rimmed cowboy hat. He forms part of Los Pacaminos who play on the 2nd. A two day Esquires birthday celebration takes place on the 3rd and 4th. This free weekend features performances from, amongst others, Kain, Abrasions, Envy Four, Robed In Desire, Filthy Visuals and Speedshot. A welcome visitor on the 8th is Jim Bob. One half of electro punks Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine, his evening show is an acoustic one with a difference. As well as performing his solo and band songs, he also reads out loud from his new novel Driving Jarvis Ham. Oasis wannabees All The Young travel down from Stoke on the 29th. A double header from Big Cheese finds New Riot and, more impressively, Hype Theory on the 16th. The latter showcase their "Glory days" album. Also here on the 22nd are Stockton's Chapman Family, followed a week later on the 30th by An Army Of Lights. The evening sees a film crew led by Richard Jobson (of Skids fame) using Esquires as part of the link scenes for his current film Waylands Song.

The undoubted highlight of July occurs on Thursday 19th when the mainstage is taken over by Turin Brakes, A memorable gig and a chance for fans to see them in a small venue. In contrast, on the 27th Barrie Masters brings Eddie And The Hot Rods back. Thirty five years and still going strong. With new album "Revolutions in my head" just released, My Preserver come to Bedford on the 21st. A festival of sorts happens on the 14th when MMG take over all three venues. It's highlighted by at least 15 musical acts from at least four counties. Gold Skies Ahead bring us their "Chapter one" EP release show on the 13th.

August is dominated by events on Thursday 9th when, at extremely short notice, The Skints arrive here. The London ska-punkers go through their full repertoire including material from their new album "Part and parcel". Nineties Brit pop trio Dodgy are "Good enough" on the 10th. All the classics are reprised as well as tracks from their new album "Stand upright in a cool place". Long time NME faves The Twang play a riotous Wednesday show on the 15th. Like Dodgy, they are also warming up for V Festival. There is alternative country rock from Rhode Island, courtesy of Deer Tick on the 17th, while the 18th sees ex-Ghost Dance vocalist Anne Marie Hurst rolling back the years for the goth community. A busy month also sees The Vans arrive from Australia on the 3rd and ska veterans The Riffs on the 11th. Local bands also play on the main stage with Karl Philips And The Midnight Ramblers on the 25th and Reversal on the 31st.

Returning to Esquires on 15th September are Wet Nuns, fresh from their Reading and Leeds performances. Sady a poor turn out awaits ex-Green On Red artist Dan Stuart on the 8th. Taking a break from The Lovers is ex-Inspiral Carpets vocalist Tom Hingley, who enchants Holy Moly's on the 1st. His autobiography Carpet Burns is the must read music book of the year. On a quietish month for the mainstage, the only original bands of note are London's The Magazine Gap on the 29th and the always lively Fall Short For Glory on the 14th.

Festival favourites Dreadzone bring along their bass heavy sounds on 13th October, but it is the current darlings of the NME, Palma Violets, who produce one of the gigs of the year on the 26th. The manic reaction for "Best of friends" is amazing. A decoratively attired Other Tribe offer something more dancey on the 19th. The 27th is a busy day in Bedford as Esquires helps to support Oxjam, while perennial favourites The Tendons celebrate a quarter century of mayhem! Rubylux also returned on the 20th.

After a lengthy absence, Manchester's Sonic Boom Six return on 9th November. With a new album and nationwide tour to coincide, Laila K and the collective shake the room. On the 16th, Truck festival founders Robin and Joe Bennett bring us country rock from Oxford with their new band The Dreaming Spires. In contrast, hoary old punks The Business headline a night of oi on the 23rd. MMG have a BOTB county final on the 24th. Hailing from the Ozark mountains and now based in New York, folk artist Israel Nash Gripka joins us on the 10th. I tend to find the support act, New Jersey singer songwriter Anton D'Amato, infinitely better. A last gig of the year for Pearl Handled Revolver boys on the 17th. Filthy Visuals stage a fine EP launch in Holy's on the 22nd.

Sold out, sold out, sold out! That seems to sum up Esquires in December, starting with oi pioneers The 4 Skins on the 8th. The advice is to get your tickets early. The Quireboys return to their spiritual home on the 14th. Kerrang! faves Don Broco hosted two successive packed nights on the 15th and 16th, A week later, on the 22nd and 23rd, this was repeated by The Wholls who, together with The Scruff and The Jebs, had such a good year. Thankfully the end of the world doesn't occur on the 21st so Speedshot can play! The final mainstage show of 2012 on the 29th sees a warm and welcome return for old favourites Henry And The Bleeders and close mates The Dilenquents.

An eventful year and just a brief taster of what has been on offer. The Sunday Sessions in the bar have also had notable contributions from the likes of Cherry Lee Mewis and her Blues gems, The Workshop Boys, Full Circle and a storming final show from Thunderbird 5. Also of note are Stray and The Bare Bones Boogie Band.

My favourite 3 Esquires shows of 2012

Neil Innes 14/4/12
Don Broco 15/12/12
Smoking Hearts 5/5/12

My favourite local band album of 2012

Colossus - Pearl Handled Revolver

My favourite local band EP of 2012

Filthy Visuals - Filthy Visuals

My favourite non Esquires gig of 2012

Tom Hingley The Salt Bar, Hayle, Cornwall 23/6/12