There's was a different, more laid back
atmosphere to gig day this Saturday as I approached the Gemini,
Dereham for Bad Touch Unplugged. Running late meant I missed most of
the warm up, a jamming session between lead singer Steve, drummer
George, and Steve's friend Ali.
It's not the usual venue for a rock
gig, a 'Meet & Eat' bar, packed with families chatting over plates
full of pub classics. Tucked away to the left of the front door, the band were set up facing half of the would-be restaurant, cleared to allow space for the fans who piled into the Gemini.
Unusually, the band members positioned themselves on chairs and stools (and the beat box for George) and,
after a few PA adjustments, introduced 'Water's edge', followed by
Rolling Stones classic 'Jumping Jack flash'.
The acoustic version of second single
'Too late' came next, before the boys slowed things down with Bon
Jovi's 'Wanted dead or alive'.
It was a hometown gig for the boys, and
this was obvious with the amount of people singing along to the
original Bad Touch tracks, including 'Call for me', 'Preacher' and
'Lock & Load', and the die-hards were treated to an inaugural
acoustic performance of new song 'See you again'. Steve dedicated the
track to his friend Ali, who wrote it with him almost 10 years ago.
Thoroughly spoiled, the audience was also
introduced to another brand new song 'Good on me', a catchy upbeat
number written about wearing womens' jeans – a topic close to the
heart of a couple of band members who I won't mention.
Ironically, ZZ Top's 'Sharp dressed
man' came next in a set completely different to the norm. It was nice
to see the boys in a different environment, casually dressed, perched
on stools, enjoying themselves and having a laugh still as they do at
every single show.
Paying homage again to Led Zeppelin,
and with a couple of tributes to legends Skin and Guns & Roses,
the set took fans on a journey through the history of Bad Touch, from
their idols and inspirations, to their own musical beginnings and
more recent efforts, right through to brand new barely
out-of-the-studio originals.
The busy weekend continues for the boys
as they head to Ipswich to perform in the finals of the Insane Rock
Festival courtesy of Lord Bishop at the Railway Venue – great
preparation for their set at the Epic Rock House Reunion next
Saturday.
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