Face Of Cheam

Another free gig this time to see a band project involving the very lovely Frances Ruffelle and Sam Bonner. Patala were promoting their album Purify and choose the Bedford Arms in which to do this. The Bedford has regular music nights and the format for Thursdays is that five or six acts all do two songs for the first half followed by another two after the interval. Tonight was different in that Patala would end the first half with a 20 minute set and not reappear in the second half. Due to some misinformation on the Bedford website (which said doors 7.30pm) I arrived a 7.50 whilst Patala were soundchecking. This in itself was quite interesting to watch. The actual performances don't start till nine but I amused myself with a beer and people watching which included a few fit women! Most of the audience though knew one of the artists performing and each artist had their own reserved table meaning I had to stand at the back with a couple of other random folk.
The first act on were Serese, best described as three Indian girls trying to be the new Sugababes. Good voices, but only one of them was attractive in my opinion (Anu) although Mandip did stand next to me alone for one of the next acts. Pleasant musically but not really poppy enough for me. A chap with a birdnest hairstyle was next called Aaron Norton. Just him and a guitar and unfortunately for him made a bit of a Muppet of himself by breaking a string. Apparently you can't play the guitar if one string is broke and five remain in tact so he finished his song acapella. After a minute gap whilst he was waiting for a replacement guitar (and failing to tell a joke) he started the next song acapella. As soon as he started it the guitar turned up and despite only playing one note he decided it was out of tune. Come on. improvise! Both songs were sung in tune but too slow boring and bland.
A band formerly known as The Michael Kintish Band but currently without a name were next and I thought they were excellent. Quite rocky, seemingly Britpop inspired a barstaff member did rename them as the rocking accountants as two members wore specs. The only downside is that Micheal (singer and presumably writer) plays the keyboards. A lot of wannabe artists do and seem quite good but I can't think of many bands who become really popular have a 'leader' on the keys.
Artist number 4 was Dan Lock. A pretty blond lad who could be in Blue for all I know. Again a pianist with a mate on guitar. Ok but again forgettable. The last 'support' was Evon Brennan with her huge Afro hair. A slow piano style she had a very good voice but again all a bit background for my tastes. Finally at just before ten Patala came on. A very ambient sound with the words sung in Sanscript sounds bizarre but it certainly works. There was a fantastic bongo player in the band (Have you ever seen a poor bongo man?) and this maintained an up tempo rhythm throughout. Frances is an excellent vocalist and this environment really suited her. Very good and will have to check the album out soon. At twenty past ten there was going to be an interval before acts 1-5 did another two songs I decided, as I had seen who I wanted to in full, to miss out and catch the 10.30 train home.
As an aside I was moaning earlier this week about lack of attractive barmaids this year. This was corrected at the Bedford, although it wasn't the same one spotted last year alas. Also, I was disappointed to see Frances partner there who looks like he should be on Hollyoaks!