Bedford Esquires Review of 2016.
A look at 2016 at Esquires Bedford by Martin Stapleton. PART ONE
Well, nothing ever stays the same at Bedford Esquires. The town’s premier music venue witnessed major changes during 2016. At the start of the year it was announced that Mr. Gareth Barber (of The Pad presents promotions team) was taking over the ownership. During 2016 he saw and led a complete overhaul of the bar, as well as a major enhancement in quality, for both the sound and lighting equipment in the upstairs main stage.
The amount of bands playing live at Esquires during the year was quite possibly the most in the venues lifetime. This review only scratches the surface on the many tribute bands that appeared here. On a lot of occasions, these novelty acts sold out Esquires and proved just how popular they are with many people.
JANUARY:
The Sunday Afternoon Sessions (started on a regular basis by Pete Burridge in 2004) continued to thrive. Sometimes it’s not so much the music, but the social camaraderie amongst friends. On 10th, Denny McCaffrey, a local music scene legend who has been creating beautiful sounds for near on 50 years (dating back to The Stonemakers back in the sixties), was joined on the afternoon by Dave King, aka Mojo. It’s the perfect start to what was to be a busy year.
A milder show 20th, is the first ‘biggy’ and features the American ska punk ensemble Voodoo Glow Skulls. On the 22nd, a brand new regular club night began, it was entitled the Friday Night Blender and features live bands, plus the vinyl D.J.’s known as Roll Your Own Records. The month closes with a packed Esquires enjoying a huge party with The Quireboys on 30th.
The longtime rockers played all their hits, plus a few new tasters from their forthcoming album Twisted Love. It’s the bands ninth studio album and is released later in the year. They prove yet again just how popular they still are.
FEBRUARY:
’Hey Ho – Lets Go’, as the familiar old cry was heard on 5th, when Esquires hosted a past member of punk pioneers The Ramones. It was ex-drummer Richie, who was part of the gang from 1983-1987. He also performed one of the songs that he wrote, Somebody Put Something In My Drink. The old Ramones song kept the leather jacketed fans memories alive.
The next day 6th, Brightons Fickle Friends offered up some electro pop songs, such as Cry Baby and Swim, it was truly Summer favoured sounds in Winter.
Wednesday 10th, featured some very classy musicianship courtesy of Chaz Jankel, Mick Gallagher, Norman Watt-Roy et al, who feature as part of The Blockheads, the memory of Ian Dury is never to far away. The 13th, may have been headlined by the hotly tipped Sherlocks, but this reviewer was more taken by the support band, Blaenavon. Especially when hypnotically, they repeatedly sung “Lets pray for death”. On what was to become a regular occurrence during the year.
Esquires on 19th, hosted a double header. The mainstage featured The Ukranians. Formed in the early 1980’s, they were originally championed by the late John Peel; they still continue to cover classic Western pop songs in a truly unique and traditional Ukranian manner; instruments and all.
Downstairs in Holy Molys, Inheaven wowed us and showed just why their grunge influenced delights have won over fans such as Julian Casablancas (of The Strokes).
Other metal sounds of Immortalus and Hertfordshire’s Skullfucked 20th.
Plus a rare outing for False Idol 27th.
Esquires and its patrons were also shocked to learn of the tragic car crash in Sweden on Feb 13th, that killed the members of Viola Beach, plus their manager. This popular Cheshire indie quartet had played at Esquires in November 2015, in support of The Scruff.
MARCH:
The sold out signs were shown on Saturday 5th it’s headlined by Sheffords C C Smugglers, who ply their gypsy folk and world roots sounds. This popular band are fronted by the ever smiling and charismatic Richie Prynne, who leads his five fellow ex buskers through a continual foot tapping stomp. Also on the bill are Oxfords Dreaming Spires, who perform some songs from their recent album, Paisley Overground. As way of a bonus, The Pad Presents invited all ticket holders post gig to venture downstairs to see Irish Folksters The Eskies, who provided a true craic of a show.
Undoubtedly, one of the finest young bands to emerge in Bedfordshire during the past few months are rock quartet The Basilisk, on 11th and in conjunction with Bedford Alternative Music, they held their launch night for Make It Happen. It’s the bands debut E.P. a great evening is further enhanced by an appearance of melodic metallers Countless Skies. The gig also marked the final Bedford appearance of Kill Confirmed. Upstairs, Pixel Fix played one of their last ever shows.
Wearing a trademark burberry cap, Mc Devvo played his ‘chav’ part to a tee and was totally ‘off his head’ on 12th.
18th saw an Esquires return to the mainstage of The Pistoleros. Fronted by the cool Barry Ashworth. The Dub Pistols heavily helped by main supports Kuenta I Tambu. Wow! Totally tambutronic dance!
Football’s memorable Euro 96 tournament came back home for many on 24th Collapsed Lung reprised their big hit Eat My Goal. As a further bonus, the band also contained Jim Burke aka Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer.
All female cosmopolitan garage rock quartet The Franklys headlined on Easter Saturday 26th.
Other musicians to impress during March were Charlotte Carpenter, The Hero Dies First and Black Doldrums.
APRIL:
Indie rock quartet Tellison ushered in April 2nd. For this reviewer, they were outpointed by Exeter’s Muncie Girls. The female fronted punk trio put on a fantastic show and showed just why they were to garner such strong media support and some top notch shows during 2016. The shoegazing fraternity were sated on 8th with London’s Masakichi.
The aforementioned Esquires double headliners surfaced once more on 15th. Upstairs demonstrating their skills were hip hop production The Mouse Outfit. Downstairs Nile Marr (son of The Smiths guitarist Johnny) bought the Manchester trio Man Made to Bedford. The nineties revival starts with this band as they purvey their dense guitar rock.
A day later 16th. The Spitfires blasted out some tracks from their album Response. With major nods to The Weller, this Watford, quartet are definitely ones for the Fred Perry brigade.
Ah! Holy Esque, 22nd from Glasgow, they remind many of when fellow Scots Glasvegas played here. They produced such a sweeping epic quality, desperation and escapism are at the core of their lyrics. Also on this bill were Bedfordshire alt rockers Seasons, who can add a much merited 4K’s Kerrang album review this year, to their burgeoning CV.
Bizarrely St. George’s day 23rd is to be celebrated by the Americana heavyweights Richmond Fontaine. The Portland, Oregon four piece are back on the mainstage for this, their final tour. They play plenty of songs from their album You Cant Go Back If There’s Nothing To Go Back To. The evening is rapturously lapped up by their tight knit legion of fans.
A rare Sunday night gig 24th, is spent in the company of The Songbook Collective. The name encapsulates members of The Paul Weller Band, including Steve Craddock also of Ocean Colour Scene.
From Detroit The Bellrays kicked up a storm on 29th. This cult band include vocalist Lisa Kekaula, whose belting vocals contain enough soul and blues to boot the songs higher and further than your average garage rock outfit. To finish the month off, The Wholls headlined a ‘This Feeling’ club night, supports Hazard, Foxfield and Full Circle.
MAY:
Cult Japanese female punk trio Shonen Knife made their Esquires debut on the 7th they formed way back in 1981 and along the way have inspired the late Kurt Cobain, as well as countless other bands. On this night, they were so gracious, smiled endlessly and collectively wow everybody’s hearts. The music needless to say was fast and furious.
May 12 saw the launch of the venues first Battle Of The Bands competition for over a decade. Thursday heat nights were held regularly during May and June. The hype machine was on superdrive! (was it? – Ed.)
As Spring King arrived in town 13th championed by many, including both Annie Mac and Huw Stephens, indeed the latter described them as ‘one of the most interesting indie bands around’. They were unusually fronted by the drummer, namely vocalist Tarek Musa!
A most different, but ultimately refreshing evening occurred on the 14th. It is headlined by Poland’s classic rock and metal exponents, Proletaryat. Naturally they perform and speak in their native tongue, which made it difficult to understand and fully appreciate their ‘banter’. Formed in 1987, they are more accustomed to playing at the large East European stadiums in front of thousands, for me, this was the true hidden gem of all the Esquires calendar In 2016.
On 18th. a hush hush secret show unveiled the Brighton hip hop producer Salute.
The following night 19th. saw the counties musical stars of the future perform at the Bedford College Charity Event. Weighted Space took the honours, but everybody playing deserved full applause.
Local champions The Scruff filled the room on 21st. they were ably supported by MK’s Sean Grant And The Wolfgang.
Sunday evening 22nd was spent in the company of Yuck. They served up some melodic dirge, heavy but intricate and offering sharp incendiary bursts of fuzz guitar.
Reformed and seemingly reinvigorated, a sold out Thursday night crowd 26th witnessed Itch leading The King Blues to a triumphant ska punk show.
The next day 27th saw a night of contrast, as the nine piece Hackney Colliery Band played the Balkan brass sounds, which have graced the Olympic closing ceremy, as well as numerous live sessions on TV and radio. It made for unusual listening, especially when they performed their Prodigy tribute!
Regular Esquires visitors Missing Andy returned to a packed main stage on 28th they have such a strong fan base.
Other monthly highlights contained sets by Spoilers, Wolf Note, Dierevers and Laterala.
JUNE:
Saturday the 4th of June saw many many gentleman of a certain age wedged up close to the front of the main stage. The reason for this frenzied behaviour? Well, it was to see and hear Ms Wendy James formerly the voice and face of eighties bubblegum pop band Transvision Vamp. The still peroxide blonde may be older, but she sure stirred many memories for some on this night. Her rendition of the old hits such as Baby I Don’t Care and I Want Your Love seemed to score way above the tracks from her current new album, The Price Of The Ticket, which are also aired.
A rare Monday evening show 6th featured Matt Berry and the Maypoles. To note, the backing band included Mark Morris (of The Bluetones). Matt grew up just down the road in the village of Bromham, so this show could be described as a sort of homecoming gig, for one of televisions favourite character actors and voiceover king. With plenty of between song anecdotes and stories from his Bedford past, tonight represents a chance for him to feature songs from his previous albums plus a chance to showcase material from the forthcoming one, entitled The Small Hours. The musical output turns out to be a mix of folksy jazz and electro funk, all spiced up with some trippy, dreamy psychedelic lyrics. It made for an enchanting evening. Post gig, the beardrd Mr. Berry spent a huge amout of time to meet, greet, sign autographs and have numerous ‘selfies’ taken.
Friday 10th saw some barnstorming rhythm and blues, courtesy of Brilleaux. The sharp suited fellas from New Zealand, continue to meet and make new friends in Bedford, with their familiar high octane show.
From New York, Daddy Long Legs 15th are all about sleazy roots rock n roll. Also and with the trios heart and soul firmly in the blues.
Trampoline 18th are fronted by the poet and spoken word exponent Jack Jones. Mark Morris returned on the 25th to play an acoustic set. On the same evening F.S.I. headlined something a lot heavier in Holy Molys.
Impressive sets to catch my ear during the month included Big Nothing, Lazy Dog, The Broadweay Twisters and The Bluebook Project.
Review by Martin Stapleton www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk