For regular visitors to Esquires, the reputation this venue has gained over the years is immense and is rightly known as one of the best small venues in the country. Probably what is lesser known is that its facilities are regularly used by local bands to practice and rehearse. One such band are Wolflaw, and today it is my privilege to join them and help with some roadie duties (!) as they embark on a gig at The Bitter End in Romford, Essex. It's a warm-up for their forthcoming week-long tour in late June. For all concerned, its a nervous and exciting time, but without doubt Sean, Roy, Phil and Jason are well and truly up for it!
With the roads relatively quiet due to the F.A. cup final, we make good progress from Esquires in our van, which is heavily weighed down by equipment and more so Phil's immense beard. As we negotiate the M25 and motor into Romford, we are greeted by their promoter who informs us that due to said football match things are running slightly late! "Take a seat lads and have a drink" - We don't need to be told twice! It gives everyone a chance to unwind and Wolflaw's manager Paul Craven a chance to survey the stage and chew the cud with the sound engineer.
When the soundcheck finally comes around, guitarist Roy thought it didn't sound loud enough, and I have to agree with him! We hope it will be sorted for their performance.
Tonights bill features three bands, and our boys are the musical meat in a peroxide cock-rock sandwich. We are second band on. All the tough rehearsing and hard work they have put in these last few weeks would now be sorely tested. The 'Law-corner' of the venue gives them good support, and now it is up to the boys to deliver the goods. Thankfully the volume level has risen and the sound engineer also produces good clarity. The local Essex 'boys and gels' look suitably impressed and applaud politely. Wolflaw stick rigidly to their tried and tested set list of songs with 'Swinging the bottle' rapidly followed by 'Crucified'. Although they have an abundance of new songs in the pipeline, they are leaving them to showcase at Esquires. As 'Judgement and Punishment' ends their set, I gauge from the crowd that Wolflaw have won a host of new friends and fans tonight in this most intimidating manor. After headline band Jack Sniper had concluded the proceedings, it was time to say our farewells, load up the kit and head on up the road again, homeward bound. It's a constant learning curve and Wolflaw gained some valuable experience tonight.