Young Knives, Ralfe Band, Ice, Sea, Dead People.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Saturday 23rd November 2013.

E stands for Esquires, but tonight it definitely means eccentricity. Returning to Bedford, but making their first appearance here, are YOUNG KNIVES . A fair sized crowd has assembled for what promises to be a varied and interesting evening with these chaps from Ashby-de-la-Zouch. I freely admit that I am not a huge fan myself. Indeed they fail to tempt me to buy their new album (released 4th November) entitled "Sick octave". This has been self-produced, home recorded and fan funded. This gig has had to be rescheduled a few times to coincide tour and album launch.
Young Knives comprise the brothers Dartnell, Henry and Thomas (altough the latter is more commonly known as House Of Lords) and their long term friend Oliver, who prefers to stand when playing drums. They are a quintessentially English band. An irreverent spirit, full of post punk energy and art pop ideas with an electronic ingredient. Watching the show unfold I could almost compare a Young Knives gig to a huge house party. The band are in your giant living room. A projection screen is constantly showing images and pictures and at one stage it does look like pictures of a young Rory McGrath.
The band enter with a crescendo of strange vocals echoing round the room. A giant 'pumpkin headed' figure brings to mind the late, great and sadly missed Frank Sidebottom. I strongly do believe that by their weird and wonderful stage presence and the ideas that they proffer, Young Knives would have been stars of their own wacky musical TV show back in the sixties or seventies. They seem a million miles away from the charmless corporate pop world which is suffocating original live talent. They look happy to be in Bedford. "Good evening. Are you alright?" is a cheery introduction.
Most people's eyes are fixated on bassist Thomas; ah "Praise the Lord". Indeed Henry muses what his brother looks like or reminds us of. Is it "Kurt Cobain, Sarah Millican or Michael Heseltine?". Their new album is, of course, exceedingly well showcased with "Something awful" receiving a tremendous crowd reaction. "Preset columns/default comets" is also worthy of mention. Perhaps I'm not alone in believing that "Maureen" is the stand out from "Sick octave", judging by their live effort tonight. This song even reminds a friend of Duran Duran. From the band's previous album, a song called "Woman" features the wondrous sight of numerous hands held high in the air. To a terrific reception, Young Knives return for an encore. Henry is still impressed by it all; "It's a great venue, keep supporting it", before adding wryly "you missed Dr Who though"! The one song I am very familiar is saved till the last. It's called "She's attracted to" which, as a bonus, receives an extended airing. It's been quite a show for a band who first toured around many years ago with just a Volvo 244DL and a tent!

Opening our show are half-Bedford, half-London based band ICE, SEA, DEAD PEOPLE . Frontman Craig is in good form and immediately enquires as to whether "strobes" will be flashing around him and his colleagues. Most of the crowd seem unfamiliar with ISDP and keep a lengthy distance away from the stage. Craig appears unconcerned and offers an initial "Cheers, you're extremely polite" before adding that the band "got booed off" after their first gig! Merchandise selling is handled in a light-hearted manner; "T-shirts ninety six pounds, CD's slightly cheaper"! This is very edgy artrock punk and steeped in originality. Vocals scream and bark, almost resembling the voice of armageddon itself. Ice, Sea, Dead People's stage presence is high octane and dynamic. They move as though they are treading on live wires. The bulk of their set is taken from the band's recent album "If it's broken, break it more", but sadly cover star MP Nadine Dorries is not here tonight. Discordant guitars rule throughout. As the set progresses through "Ultra silence" and "I found a way", this nonplussed and slightly older crowd seem to be literally clinging to the walls for safety when challenged by these spiky fresh-faced youths! Craig knows the band are winning and jokes that the dancefloor area is "made of lava". As "Diamond swords" draws this fantastic set to a thrilling close, there is a ripple of applause from the aforementioned polite people.

All I know of RALFE BAND is that they recorded the 2010 soundtrack to Bunny And The Bull. It's perhaps through this Mighty Boosh connection that they have progressed so far for so long. This duo offer up acoustic guitars, drums and various other instruments, including what could be loosely described as 'circus piano'. Mr Ralfe is warm and friendly and calls this small project "horse drawn dance music". Being totally exasperated, I beg to differ and would describe it more crudely, may be horse s**t dance music! It's dull, dreary and earnest throughout. Most of the baffled audience look as though they agree as they chatter incessantly from start to finish. It all felt like a WTF thirty minutes, only my opinion though.