Leftover Crack supported by Antimaniax and Fire Apple Red.
Friday 20th June 2003, Bedford Esquires.


We walked into the bar around 7 and there seemed to be a whole new crowd tonight, the numbers were fewer than expected but the place was buzzing.
The usual liquor was flowing and the pool table saw its normal gathering.
8.0’clock approached and the headlining band Leftover Crack were still nowhere to be seen, queue the phone call and the news of Americans trying to navigate the lovely British motorway system, but they are almost here; therefore the doors will open soon - much to everyone’s relief. There is only so much Kerrang T.V. we can watch.

Walking back outside to stock up on boost bars and ciggies, I noticed a strange character lurking around outside the shop, it was none other than Nick in disguise of a ginger wig and sunglasses sporting a new tattoo which is very nice indeed, getting to the point, this disguise was in aid of trying to beat his lifetime ban from the club and low and behold – it worked. (nice one mate).
Not long after Leftover Crack had turned up and the club was holding the respectable sized crowd waiting for the first band on.

FIRE APPLE RED:
This is the perfect starting band for a night like tonight, as support slots go, this was a killer set!
Fire Apple Red are intelligent and right in your face. Throwing out some superb changes in the rhythm and pleasing the crowd with some tight arse hard-core with a melodic edge. The lead vocalist took to the stage like a rat in the sewers and commanded his way through a very entertaining opening set.
Some fine music was played through the PA and the late arrivals were all in. Next up were

ANTIMANIAX:
A quartet hailing from Austria of all places, bringing some political punk rock with them. They did themselves proud with a super tight set.
I had not heard much from these before and I was not expecting to be entertained by a group of Austrians but I was more than content nodding along, wishing I knew the lyrics that were thrown at the crowd in a weird gritty accent.
A great pleasure to have seen at Esquires and ill be definitely checking out more from these.
Some more of the beautiful Newcastle brown and a shout out to Tommy T for supplying some more beats to stagger around to. Next to grace the stage were

LEFTOVER CRACK:
Straight out of New York City and for those who don’t know – these guys are a bunch of squatters that used to be called ‘Choking Victim’… One of my favourite bands so expect a bias review, but then again I think everyone in sweaty Esquires tonight would agree how amazing this band are.
The line-up consisted of the drummer from the ‘Antimaniax’ and one part of the band ‘F-Minus’ was on one of the guitars, along with the original bassist, the other guitarist and the mighty Stza on vocals.
The set was hit off with the opening track from the album ‘Mediocre Generica’ and that is ‘Homeo Apathy’ – what an opening to a set indeed! Stza joins the stage late, grabs the mic. and the fists hit the air with ‘9th and C’ echoing through the old church.
The band have been on the European tour since early May so I was expecting a tired set from the guys, especially after playing to a French crowd the night before, but there was no hint of slacking from any members whilst they steamed through some ‘Choking Victim’ classics and the infectious beats from ‘Mediocre Generica’.
An ‘F-Minus’ song was played, along with a snippet from a ‘Blink 182’ song (you had to see the irony of it) and Leftover Crack more than dominated Esquires.
They finished the blistering set with the ‘Choking Victim’ anthem – ‘Crack Rock Steady’ and the Esquires crowd seemed more than happy to chant about killing cops.
Leftover Crack are lyrically brilliant and are very strongly opinionated about various touchy, political and controversial subjects. With that crack rock steady drumming; this was not a night to miss!

Review by Jason Kinns. Bedford Metal.