YEAR REVIEW,
2014.

A look at 2014 at Esquires Bedford by Martin Stapleton.

As in previous years I have detailed a review of the live shows that have been held in Esquires. It is not a definitive review and mention should be made of the monthly showcase nights promoted by Juicebox and the many gigs held in the bar throughout the year. The Sunday Sessions, loved by all aficionados of blues, rock and soul, is now ten years old and continues to have a loyal following. We are still extremely lucky in Bedford to see and enjoy such a wide array of musical styles and genres. However, this does need the support of the people in the town or we will be in the same position as plenty of other places that have lost their treasured music venue.

January
As the chimes of Big Ben rang out and the fireworks followed, 2014 was welcomed loudly for music fans and those who call Esquires their second home. It was to prove a good year for live performances. As in previous years January offers a slow start for gig goers. A weekly supply of low key bar gigs is thankfully offset by a main stage show featuring punk band Max Raptor on the 11th. For those curious to see how former Kerrang faves My Passion had reinvented themselves, then Fort Hope offered a less flamboyant mix. Kent Duchaine returned on 31st for the blues folks.

February
A top month, nuff said. The first is a stonking double headliner on 15th featuring the 'filthiest band to stumble out of an East End squat', namely Fat White Family. They were joined by the dark psychedelic surf rock of The Wytches. A night to live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. Drummer Ben Thatcher and bassist Mike Kerr of Royal Blood were stirring up plenty of media interest when they sold out Esquires on 22nd. By the end of the year, after their album release and countless gigs, they were heading for stadium shows and a different level from these toilet venues. At least the ticket holders tonight can say that they saw the Brighton duo on a tiny stage. For the nineties fans, a return of Matty Hanson AKA Credit To The Nation on 8th brought back memories of their Top 40 political hits.

March
March began on the main stage on 1st with what was touted to be a regular hip hop night. This one featured Task Force and Dirty Dike. For the fans of the old skool soundsystem culture, the Esquires appearance of Dreadzone on 8th was well anticipated and received. They are still led by ex B.A.D. member Greg Roberts. There was a momentous local occasion on 15th when Robed In Desire celebrated their 20th anniversary. This quartet buck the Bedford trend and still purvey their gothy black post-punk sound. As part of his national spring tour, local blues boy made good Ben Poole transfixed the bar on 28th. Hardy folk punk perennials Fishwives Broadside hosted an enjoyable single release show on 22nd.

April
This month's big gig happened on a late Sunday evening on 27th, courtesy of Juicebox. They presented American pop punks Patent Pending and People On Vacation (who feature Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup fame). Fronted by former Daisy Chainsaw guitarist Crispin Gray, Bedford welcomed The Dogbones on 25th. Support was offered by S*m*a*s*h and also local fellas The Degenerates who had several high profile slots during the year. The old venue was packed solid on Good Friday, 18th, when Holy Moly's played host to Cherry Lee Mewis. This was the album launch for "Catch my drift". On the main stage the same night were The Scruff proving that they are Bedford's best up and coming band at present. Making only one local appearance in 2014 were Don Broco when they appeared for a stripped down acoustic show on 8th. This midweek event for charity took place in Holy Moly's. Reggae made a welcome and rare appearance on 4th as we enjoyed 'the lyrics teacher' Macka B. BAM presented an acoustic showcase on Maundy Thursday, 17th, which was headlined by Luton's Ryan Prazer.

May
May begins on 3rd with a chance to sample the organ fuelled blues rock delights of Pearl Handled Revolver. As usual they provided a strong support band, this time it was the highly rated Rosco Levee And The Southern Slide. Thursday 15th was a very memorable night as Wolf Alice returned, riding high on their burgeoning reputation. Two bands also making waves supported them, namely Superfood and Gengahr. Touted by the BBC as one of the Sounds of 2014, George Ezra made a surprise appearance on Sunday 11th. His potential bore fruit as his debut album "Wanted on voyage" went to number one in the charts. Mixing up a cocktail of synths and guitars were Teleman on 23rd. They came armed with tunes from album "Breakfast". The late spring band holiday weekend also provided some musical treats. Local country rock band The Whybirds on 24th were followed the next evening by American rockers Crocodiles. Contrasting styles were exemplified by the rocking Yellowknife Bay on 4th and an appearance by UK rapper Jehst on 10th. A firm favourite of the Bedford music scene Ms Jess Morgan travelled from her Norfolk home on 16th to reacquaint with some old friends.

June The major news this month revolved around a gig that actually didn't take place. Booked to play on Saturday 17th, The Pizza Underground, featuring child actor Macaulay Culkin, imploded a few days before they reached Bedford. Thankfully no such problems affected long time Alice Cooper guitarist Ryan Roxie. He oozed sleazy rock 'n' roll on 13th and had many interesting tales to tell. The following night Missouri punks Radkey hot footed it from the Download festival to play the main stage. On the same night, and with the football World Cup getting all the attention, Bedford singer songwriter Luke Tuchscherer had a launch night for lovely debut album "You get so alone at times that it just makes sense". Arriving from the leafy New Forest, Natives unwrapped their pop rock sounds on 6th. Limelight TV presented a showcase of local bands on 27th and featured one of the last ever appearances of Lovegun.

July After playing at the Black Sabbath gig in Hyde Park the night before, The Bots exemplified their raw garage punk sound on 5th. Roots reggae legends Misty In Roots appeared at Esquires for the first time in their long career on 4th. There was more than just euphoria in the air that night! Rapper Klashnekoff headlined an explosive night of hip hop on 26th. This formed part of the Nazty Nation summer party. American truck driver turned fatback blues champ John Nemeth showcased songs from album "Memphis grease" on 18th. With the Bedford River Festival catering for the family masses, the evening gig goers with a penchant for punk were sated by a dose of The Tendons on 19th. To complete a varied month there was a show by Canvas on 12th to satisfy the metal fans.

August
This month started on a real high as Isaac and Laurie from Slaves unleashed their barrage of punk tunes on 1st. This was a breakthrough year for these lads from Kent as, a couple of months later, they share a stage with U2 on the Jools Holland Show. On Saturday 2nd the whole venue opened up for a charity day called Music For Change. A local based day, it featured the final performances of both Filthy Visuals and Last Ditch Attempt. The imposing and crazed figure of Honor Titus prowled the main stage on 7th. Yes, New York punks Cerebral Ballzy were in town! The highly rated Bloody Knees provided excellent support. Warming up for their shows at Reading and Leeds festivals were The Marmozets on 20th. Exuding some feisty mathcore they were here to showcase plenty of material from forthcoming album "Weird and wonderful". A strong support from local quartet Near Moments is also worthy of mention. The Pad Presents saved the day for eighties bands Theatre Of Hate and Skeletal Family on 15th. They were originally booked for Alt Fest in Kettering which sadly got scrapped only days before it was due to take place. Prog rock arrived in the shape of Winter In Eden on 9th. They performed songs from new album "Court of conscience". Ben Kelly headlined a BAM showcase evening on 22nd.

September
Livening up a sleepy Sunday evening were the Aussie rock pair DZ Deathrays on 21st. Another duo, Sleaford Mods, appeared a few days later on 25th. They aired their angry ranting lyrics which seemed to captivate the music media towards the end of the year. The following day Eliza And The Bear played. Included in their set was "It gets cold" which was featured in the coverage of the Winter Olympics on BBC. The London quintet were touring on the back of recent EP "Light it up". Normally I treat main stage covers nights with an obvious disdain. However, I will mention that it happened on two successive Saturdays. Firstly on 6th, local celtic band Life Of Riley had the craic to celebrate their 25th anniversary. On 13th The Skamasters bowed out after five years gigging. Another sold out show was provided by The Main Event on 27th. There was plenty of oi punk courtesy of Close Shave and Condemned 84 amongst others.

October
Plenty of top notch gigs to enjoy in October. Finally arriving at Esquires were Leeds post punks Eagulls on 19th. They were joined on the bill by NME favourites Bad Breeding. Also from Yorkshire are The Sunshine Underground. They infused Esquires with a real party atmosphere on 17th with their dance driven electronic tunes. Oxjam took over the venue for it's annual fundraising day on 18th. Returning and selling out again were teenage dirtbags Wheatus on 3rd. They continue to make some people wonder why they are so popular. Sadly hotly tipped Telegram were shunned by the fickle public on 10th. With another top album "Love, drink and death", The Urban Voodoo Machine entranced the crowd with their colourful and theatrical stage show. Support came from Long John Laundry who showcased material from new album "Voodoo charm". On 25th The Beat, featuring original member Ranking Roger, reminded everyone of their ska heyday with renditions of "Mirror in the bathroom", "Too nice to talk to" plus many more. In Holy Moly's, American alt-country singer songwriter Otis Gibbs transfixed a Tuesday evening crowd with his gritty and honest lyrics.

Mid November
The first day of November featured popular local band The Scruff. They were promoting their brand new EP. This launch night also included blues rock duo The Smokin Durry's who travelled up from Falmouth University on several occasions this year. A quiet month on the main stage, but it is notable for a rare Esquires appearance from CC Smugglers on 22nd. These purveyors of roots music showed just why they are so highly thought of by many BBC Radio DJ's. Metal seldom gets a look in on level 2 in 2014, but fans got a night to enjoy on 8th as Somerset metallers Perdisian headline. An enjoyable bar gig on 15th featured the always confident The Bluebook Project.

December
A busy night on 20th. BAM held a gig presenting Countless Skies and Basilisk, while upstairs The Quireboys were celebrating their 30th anniversary. This now traditional Esquires Christmas party gig had tracks from new album "Black eyed sons" mixed in with all the old favourites. Legendary blues guitarist Bernie Torme has been a member of both Ozzy Osborne and Ian Gillan's bands. On the 28th he put on a dynamic and pulsating performance. A loud and mesmerising display. Although they have been relatively quiet on the local gigging scene due to recording commitments, urban rock 'n' rollers The Wholls still found time to have a Christmas bash on 13th. Essex five piece Missing Andy sold out Esquires once again on 19th. Holy Moly's has a visit from Scottish psychedelic band Neon Waltz on 6th. In the bar on the same night rising Blues ace Jack J Hutchinson played. Doghouse Roses headlined the main stage on 27th. They started the year as a quartet, but this show saw them as a trio. On the same bill it was good to see the all round musical talents of Paul Jackson fully demonstrated. New Years Eve featured a rousing performance from those horror punks The Dilenquents.

How many of these shows do you remember?

My 3 favourite Esquires gigs of 2014.

Fat White Family / The Wytches 15/2/14.

Slaves 1/8/14.

Otis Gibbs 28/10/14 My 2 local bands that impressed in 2014.

The Scruff, The Bluebook Project, Hulkenburg.