Lizard Music Venue, feedback session’s Bedford.
Wednesday 19th November 2003.
Not so many people turned up to this gig, probably because there wasn’t a Bedford band on the line up and people from other towns cant afford or travel mid week. A pity though, as it turned out to be a great rock collective, with OTIS being the nearest welcome guests coming from Luton. I have been wanting to catch this band for a while now, they’ve certainly been a hardworking busy band, with gigs up + down the country as well as their local area. One of my mates and his girlfriend caught them in Leicester and came down to see them.
They have a refreshingly cool blues quality to their sound, which at times has a kind of soothing hypnotic edge in with the structured heavy parts. The thing that stands out the most must surely be the amazing sound of the vocalist, which sounds like a musical instrument in its own right and similar to Kiwali, ‘Nusrat Fatti Alli Khan’ would have been proud. Dressed like a beehive in stripy top and swinging the mic stand like an usherette looking quite the impressive part, in-between rhesus like stances on stage.
Although I was not disappointed with Otis and enjoyed the blues edge to the sound, I kept kind of hoping that an intricate or heavy melodic guitar riff would burst through any minute. The sound seemed particularly good on the night, showcasing the professionally gifted vocals as clear and effective with echoes and effects, which sounded great considering it was being preformed live.
SKAR:RED – A five piece from Northampton…. Never heard of them, they put up their backdrop, started playing and to be quite honest…. Blew me away! These are a young band ranging from 14-16 years old and certainly know how to deliver, they have the most surprisingly good vocals with a fantastic range, employing a kind of Nu-metal, Mudvayne, to Pantera like sound, which makes for a rare style to see live. They all took up the space and moved well on stage also, which either came natural – or they’ve been watching their metal videos. It was great to see the vocalist interacting with the crowd, showing confidence and experience, which they have certainly attained from gigs they have performed over the last two years. including their local ‘Road mender’ in Northampton. There’s the risk of coming over like upstarts interacting with a crowd that are old enough to drink legally, but they played well and certainly never came over as such. His young pitched talking voice belying his ability to utter a death like growl to the vocals with amazing variation. The guitars played well, with the red flying V and the large looking gold + white bass which was played extremely well by the dreadlocked guitarist. I thought I spotted a slight Metallica ‘Enter Sandman’ riff during one of their songs. They also gave a song that they haven’t played live before, demonstrating an ability to inject a continued freshness.
One of the edicts that make a band work for me is asking ‘would I go to see this band again’? I would have to say a definite yes and cant help wondering that if this band are so good now… what are they going to be like in the future? I’m sure this band would go down well at Esquires and are one of the best bands I’ve seen on the bill with the mighty Impact.
Bands get a box of beer in to the bargain for playing at the Lizard, and as this band would be legally challenged, their dad gratefully accepted it, to make up for his roadying and travel costs. Although it’s a risk for the promoters booking a young band that they haven’t seen before, I think Skar Red demonstrated that it was a decision that paid off. (Well-done Mr. C). If this band represent the future of live music…. Then it’s in safe hands!
IMPACT didn’t bring as many fans as usual and I thought and they seemed younger and not so intense but loyal as ever, hailing from St. Neots but in my opinion representing the home side the most, as they are no strangers to Bedford and always make a welcome return, even some of their Bedford fans didn’t make it to this gig, but there was still a lively participation up front, even their lead singer jumped in to the crowd and gave us some of the best moshing of the evening.
Their heavier sounds came first with anthems like ‘Fight For My Life’ with its brutal fist throwing energy. The set was played in reverse order to their normal set with the intensity leading to the Hard-core but infused melodic edges shining through later. I thought this was a good idea and suited the venue.
Other inspired ideas noticed on the night being the sound - especially from the vocals, the decision to book an unknown but great middle band, and also the great choice of tracks played by the D.J.’s.