Sponsored by ‘Planet Clothing’ – The Arcade Bedford.
Bedford Esquires Thirst Club Saturday 3 Jan 2004.
Not strictly the competition – just the warm-up opening, featuring two of the past winners from the previous years.
First up are last years winners, CHROME who I don’t think have been as busy in the Bedford area as they should. They put on a good performance and was surprising how much guitar work goes in to their set considering they are mainly labelled as Indy. The most noticeable thing about their sound is the fact that their singer does I admit have a proper singing voice, and having grown his hair more since last time looking at times suspiciously like ‘Cousin It’ with hair trailing everywhere, apart from the good vocals, the singer also accomplishes lead guitar as well. Just looking at them, you would think this band had the appearance of a metal band, the bass plays an essential part as well, sporting his Led Zeppelin T-shirt, moving around well on stage and looking every inch the proffesional; even though he was to be seen tuning his bass in at one point.
It was a pity they didn’t have much interaction with the crowd and some of their songs seemed unmemorable. As it picked up and was just getting better, it seemed the set had finished just as it was getting good.
Here’s another band with really good vocals, GOLDIGGER; their front man who seems to have natural stage presence over the rest of the band with out even having to try. This time wearing a scarf – making me wonder if it was protection, guarding his singing voice from the cold winters night.
I’m even starting to get familiar with some of their live material as well as their latest C.D. tracks ‘Gone: Replace and Lists, which have justice to them when played live. They covered the classic ‘These Boots Are Made For Walking’. – What impressed me was the fact that they didn’t just do a carbon copy of the song… they infused it with their own unique, origional Goldigger sound…. Well done!
Usually saved till last and with the ability to create a mosh pit, or at least some movement from the crowd, NEW ROAD exploded in to an evening which was already over running. Although not moving around much on stage themselves, they had some new material to play as well as their usual live classics including ‘School Disco’ which always goes down well and the band looked proud of their more well used material as they were playing it.
Vocals, Bass, Guitars – nothing can be faulted…. And erm ‘Didgeridoo’ (a different, more painted one this time!), and their ringed lipped guitarist always looks a bit scared when the 'one song interloper' shares their stage with them. The guest player himself seems to have a ‘stuck to script monologue’ that he quotes each time on stage – perhaps something different next time? Although he’s always a high light of a New Road performance, and these 2002 winners who this time, had a new street sign to play under.
As well as their hard work and abilities, it isn’t difficult to see why this band has come so far.
Review by Keith www.bedfordmetal.tk