Saturday 26.October 2002, Bedford Esquires.
I haven't looked forward to going to a gig at Esquires as much as this one for a while.
Headliners No Comply - well its always good to check out a band you haven't seen before. Got a few friends in C+T.C.F., there always entertaining,
so went to show support. Borderline was the main reason I went to the gig, this band have a magic quality and never fail to amaze. As for Deh
MasterB8ers - I once met the singer on a train coming back from a gig in London, who said to check his band out when they play. So for me, it was an antipicated worthy line up.
DEH MASTER B8 ERS - The best thing going for this band are the really strong vocals. Their guitars have a heavy/punk style. I liked the way the sound emphasised the heavy
sound over the punk + ska influences. I think I would like to see a bit more of them before deciding what I thought of them, not having seen them before and being the first band- their
rare slot made them like being the George Lasenby of the James Bonds. This band is a 5 piece from Luton, and played their first gig at Bedford. The set ended with the guitarists
falling in a heap on the floor and amongst the bundle floated a Guns& Roses riff from Dot's guitar who after over running with this band, couldn't wait to get going with his next
band at the expense of :-
BORDERLINE - Who's set, was squeesed in more tightly than Raquel Welch! More melodic than heavy, with some really good tunes and cool guitar riffs. They've had a c.d. out
recently which is worth getting and I was looking forward to hearing some of the songs from it played live. This four piece are young but used to live gigs, and I imagine had the
half term week before, to practice their set and timing - which they need not have bothered as their set was unfortunately cut short. I think the band were about to perform 'Pile Up'
- one of the best tracks of their c.d. and would have rounded off their set perfectly. Who cares about their dress sense, at least their music is good. There was a bit of a roumor (for fun) going round on their web site that they were going to play
naked. Even if they played in bath tubs on the stage it would still probably have ended with having their plugs pulled!
The CHICO&THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY stage invasion started with their instrumental 'Road Kill'. I think this is quite an intelligent choice as an opener as it gets your attention before the mighty ska assault unleashes with their fast strong vocals, heavy riffs and ska battled
tones which always make their gigs entertaining to see. They haven't been around as long as Borderline and started off in the early days doing mainly covers, which they always did justice to, making them have a unique sound of their own, they do their own stuff now, which is
good but I'm begining to miss some of their lively covers included in the set (he he - no pleasing some people).
NO COMPLY provided a refreshing difference to the sounds with their brass section included in the band. This six-piece band with female lead singer who had loads of energy, and belted a precision vocal delivery while at the same time moving energetically round the
stage. I haven't managed to catch this band before but know they do a busy tour schedule, backing bigger bands in the ska/punk world, including MU33, and Light year, and also headline other shows which they demonstrated they can more than adequately achieve.
Review by Keith. (www.bedfordmetal.co.uk)