New Breed Night :- The Wanns supported by Pink Grass, Surreal Nights, and Alfie.
Saturday 14th February 2003, Bedford Esquires.

With not as big a turnout as I thought there would be, partly due to the fact that some of the busses bringing in the first bands fans were canclled, this event of relatively new bands kicked off with - ALFIE, who started off with a Mexican theme to the evening, with Mexican style guitar work and sombrero hats which were later hurled in to the audience who took turns in wearing them while the gig changed pace in to a more traditional approach. All their songs were their own with an old Chuck Berry song thrown in. They sounded ok enough but nothing particularly outstanding, although they did have a few technical difficulties and a string snapping, but not bad for a band in its early days

From Mexican theme to Scottish, when Chico's (from C&T.C.F) Scottish cousin and fellow clansman took to the stage, which was adorned with the Scottish flag. This band, - SURREAL NIGHTS, are from Lark Hall in Scotland and were flown in especially for the gig. Their singer/front man was wearing a kilt, and the others sported Scottish football tops, even their guitarist made his guitar sound as if it had a Highland accent. I thought they were quite good and they went down well with the crowd. They had strong vocals and produced a tight well played sound.
It would probably be rare to catch this band again unless you go to their hometown, but they were certainly a memorable band and would welcome their return, - on a busier night where i'm sure more Bedford people would appreciate them.

PINK GRASS came over as the heavier of the bands, with their harsh, hard-hitting tones, reminding me of the hard-core punk bands like Attitude Adjustment, or D.R.I.
At the back of the room they sounded a bit distorted and just another crash bang wallop band but when I moved to the front, they seemed to sound better, their singer sang in a very traditional English punk way and it came over that they have had some experience in playing live, as they seemed quite at ease with their performance and being on stage. This is probably from their previous 'Camper Van' band days.
I don't know if it was planned but they had a fan on stage towards the end song's, complete with dreadlocks, seen to lollop and dance on the stage, which helped keep up the crowd momentum that was particularly moshy, considering the not so busy turn out.

THE WANNS were next, with their first visit to Bedford under this name and line up. They are a five piece from Stotfold and have had a few gigs in their local Hitchen area, and even got a short interview & review in their local newspaper. They were suprised on the night to find that they were the headliners. I presumed they were anyway, they certianly deserved to be, and looked quite proffesional with the bands Monica on their drum kit. Well Pink Grass were good musically, but The Wanns had the more entertaining edge, and perhaps it was because they pulled more people in on the door.
It's a test on the nerves enough to get up on stage, but a first gig dressed in just a towel looking like they had just stepped from the sauna is something else. Their bass player Karl was clad in a dress with prominent tit nipples, but still looking butch enough to show that they are a non too serious, good fun band, ok so one of their songs - 'Mum Is Your Dad, Dad Is Your Mum' is as serious as a scuba diver in a puddle, with just as much depth, but its fun to listen to anyway.
The band has a ska-influenced sound, with a lot of their own songs, and can throw in a good cover rendition also, - their Bob Marley 'No Women No Cry' was a good crowd pleaser. The singer, despite having throat problems during the week was on top form for this gig, looking as if he was enjoying what he was doing and looking at ease with his stage presence and crowd response. The Wanns also had a guest dancer on stage. I don't know if this was planned either but their good Welsh friend of the band, took to the stage and entertained the crowd even more than the previous bands dreadlocked dancer. Heh heh Owen - your a star!
The gig came to a Valentines night end with roses from a bucket on stage being thrown to the crowd, - fun, entertaining, they think of evrything.


Keith Pickering www.bedfordmetal.co.uk