Bad Touch will be hitting the capital this Friday, 26th April, with a set at the latest Home Grown Rock event at the Fiddler's Elbow, Camden.
Joining them on the line-up are Hell's Addiction, Madison State and Evacuees, and here's a little bit about what to expect...
Hell's Addiction formed in October 2010 and are a 4-piece based in Leicester. Having recently supported Heaven's Basement, Voodoo Six and Fury UK, their energetic stage presence and raw sound will make for a really good set.
Also established in 2010, Madison State hail from Manchester and bring the northern flavour of no nonsense rock mixed with a modern melodic twist.
Finally, from Midsomer Norton in Somerset, Evacuees complete the line-up for Friday's gig, which will kick off at 8pm, with tickets costing the bargain price of £5 on the door.
With their own distinctive style of rock music derived from the band’s
many musical influences, Bad Touch’s sound incorporates the last 50 years of
rock history with an unmistakeable modern British twist.
One of the clear influences in their music is that of legendary British
rock band Led Zeppelin, and they celebrate this by performing crowd favourites ‘Whole
Lotta Love’ and ‘Rock & Roll’ at many of their live shows.
Without the artistic freedom and innovative style provided by Led
Zeppelin, it’s safe to say that bands like Bad Touch wouldn’t exist. So, I
thought this was the ideal opportunity to take a deeper look into the history of
this band which defined a generation.
Along with the likes of the Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Led
Zeppelin helped drag Great Britain kicking and screaming out of the dark ages
of music; and the influences of the American Rhythm & Blues and Rock &
Roll stars paved the way for a whole new generation of liberated UK artists in
the 1960’s.
The brainchild of guitarist Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin formed in 1968, following
the rapid demise of his then group ‘The Yardbirds’ – who disbanded despite
having tour commitments. Thinking on his feet, Page pulled together a band to
see out the rest of the bookings, known as ‘The New Yardbirds’ before changing
their name.
Page was soon to make rock history along with Robert Plant on vocals, John
Paul Jones on bass and keyboard, and the late, great John Bonham on drums.
Together, they took the USA by storm, with their second album ‘Led Zeppelin II’
dubbed as ‘the musical starting point for heavy metal.’
Described by Rolling Stone magazine as ‘Unquestionably one of the best
rock bands of all time’, Led Zeppelin were famous for living life in the fast
lane, being the pioneers of the rockstar lifestyle, throwing TVs out of windows
and being banned from hotels in major cities around the globe.
But their musical ability shone through, and by ‘Led Zeppelin IV’,
which became one of the biggest selling rock albums in history, they were well
and truly on top of their game, performing shows that would go on for up to
three hours to thousands of adoring fans.
The mesmerising ‘Stairway to Heaven’ becoming the biggest rock single
that was never released. It was only ever meant as an album track, but
is often described as one of the best compositions in rock music history.
Led Zeppelin saw the importance of moving with the times, and released their
first named album in 1973, ‘Houses of the Holy’, another Number 1 on both sides
of the Atlantic, which was much more experimental, with more use of effects
such as synthesisers.
The band were experts in their trade and adored by millions, with every
record released being a US top 10; but in the late 70’s, having outlasted many
of their counterparts including the Stones, life on the road really started to take its
toll.
The release of ‘Presence’ in 1976 saw a clear change in tempo and
showcased a much more stripped-back Led Zeppelin than ever before. They decided
to release a concert film in the same year, but both received mixed reviews
from fans and critics alike – particularly in the UK, where Led Zeppelin had
refused to tour since the previous year due to tax implications.
Despite the questions about Led Zeppelin’s new direction, they
continued to pack out stadiums the world over, and their album ‘In through the
out door’ was another number 1 smash.
A year later, in 1979, the band was performing live in Nuremburg,
Germany, when drummer John Bonham collapsed. This was the start of concern for
the drummer, who had battled with alcohol and other excesses that came with
super stardom. Just 18 months later, aged only 32, John was found dead by one
of his bandmates.
This tragedy spelled the natural end of Led Zeppelin, who decided not
to carry on with another drummer, saying: ‘We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend, and the deep sense
of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide
that we could not continue as we were’.
The three surviving members
of Led Zeppelin continued to make music and have even reunited, most recently in
2007 with John’s son Jason Bonham taking his father’s place on the drums. But
it was their unique influence between 1968-1980 which paved the way for today’s
rock bands, including our very own Bad Touch.
Without their exuberant
stage presence, experimental musical genius and incredible talent, our sense of
what rock music stands for would have been very different. Few have had the
same impact on a genre and on a generation as Led Zeppelin have; and I for one
doubt that many will in future.
The Bad Touch boys were back at the Railway Venue Ipswich on Friday to support the fantastic Slash UK, and they definitely set the tone for the evening with an energetic, high-tempo set.
Kicking off with latest single ‘Set the night on fire’, the 45 minute performance was a great advert for the band’s funky UK rock style, with new favourites ‘Preacher’, ‘Mirror m...an’ and ‘Waiting on the morning light’ impressing the crowd, who were also treated to a debut showing of the newly-written ‘Call on me’.
With classic rock the main course of the menu, the starter certainly didn’t disappoint, and the boys whet the appetite of the expectant audience with their very own takes on AC/DC’s ‘Whole lotta Rosie’ and Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll’.
And with their very own anthem ‘Down’ bringing Bad Touch’s support set to a close, it was time for the brilliant Slash UK to take over the stage amidst a sea of guitars to belt out Guns & Roses, Slash’s Snakepit and Velvet Revolver classics into the night.
For Bad Touch though, it’s an interview and acoustic set for HCR, before a road trip to Melbourn Rock Club on Saturday. But the boys will be back in Ipswich to rock the bank holiday weekend on May 6th.
The Bad Touch boys returned to their spiritual home The King Edward VII Norwich on Saturday night to celebrate the Easter weekend in style.
Joined by ‘The Upgrade’, fresh from their solid support performance at The Brew’s Waterfront gig, as well as the brilliant ‘Sons of Icarus’, who really got the party... started, the ingredients were in place for a great night. The boys kicked off with the classic ‘Water’s Edge’, and were definitely in the mood to celebrate the Easter break, as well as the Birthday of Road Manager Mark and although ‘Happy Birthday’ wasn’t adorning the set, a special rendition of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock & Roll’ was performed for the guest of honour and the ‘daddy’ of the band.
Battling with the heat, Stevie had an impromptu on-stage wardrobe change after belting out debut single ‘Set the Night on Fire’, and slowed things down with their brilliant cover of Bon Jovi’s ‘Wanted Dead or Alive.’
The 90 minute set combined a fine blend of original tracks, including ‘Lying and Losing’, ‘Too late’ and ‘Preacher’, with anthems performed ‘Bad Touch’ style including ‘Whole Lotta Love’, Sweet Home Alabama’ and ‘Superstition’.
One highlight of the night was Rob G’s lead guitar performance in the epic original rock ballad ‘Time Rolls On’, a track that leaves you in awe of his musical ability and apparent nonchalance on stage.
Bailey took matters into his own hands on the 5 string bass, holding together the crowd favourite ‘Lock & Load’, expertly but bizarrely blended with Nelly’s 90s classic ‘Hot in Here’. The changes of the tempo kept the crowd guessing, and Stevie made sure the audience knew the chorus by the end of the track. Leaving the stage for a classic drum solo from George, Stevie made sure the whole band received the well-deserved appreciation of the audience.
As the show drew to an end, Seeks came into his own during ‘Whole Lotta Love’, making playing the rhythm guitar look so easy, giving the legendary Jimmy Page a run for his money.
Another successful gig in the bag, and the word spread to a host of new fans, the boys now travel back to Bar Red in Kings Lynn next Saturday along with Leicester-based trio Skam.
