Live Review: Bad Touch - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
16th February 2024
Support: Electric Black, The Karma Effect
Words & Photos: Scott Clarke
The evening was a warm one given the recent temperatures as we arrived at KK’s Steel Mill for this evenings entertainment. The queues formed outside eagerly awaiting entry to a night showcasing young UK rock talent at its finest as Bad Touch headlined the bill alongside Electric Black and The Karma Effect.
First off it was a welcome sight to be back inside the halls of KK’s Steel Mill which for me would be the first gig of 2024, catching up with the great staff and taking in the hazy atmosphere and colourful lights as forthcoming attractions blazed across the huge screen behind the stage, it was good to be back.
Wasting little time due to the three acts set to take to the stage tonight, first up we had Electric Black. The four piece hard rock group were on this tour showcasing in support of their latest album, Late Night Lightning which has been released as of January this very year.
The band members took their positions and lead vocalist Ali Shiach welcomed the modest, gathering crowd to the venue launching into the hard hitting track Put It Down on Me, setting the tone for the evening to follow as catchy melodies are anchored by powerful rhythm sections, interspersed with complex and wild guitar solos to produce that electrifying rock/ bluesy style.
Ali is a competent vocalist who uses his talents to broad appeal including more aggressive to smooth soulful notes, easily and cleanly able to hit higher ranges with relative ease.
Accompanied by the fantastic guitar talents of Jonny Bryant and the pounding rhythm provided by Ryan Trotman on bass and Matt Butler on drums, the band never let up, their time on stage is a relentless, energy filled set that really delivers.
Moving swiftly into World Ain’t So Heavy and Come on Over before addressing the crowd once more, as Ali points out the unbelievable that the rest of the band had requested to hear more of the vocals in their monitors, he asks to see a show of hands for first time Electric Black goers and thank everyone for attending at this great venue which they have previously used to record a music video of their own and had been blown away by. Getting the crowd involved in singing along with the next track of the show, the band prepare to Take The Roof Off.
Sharing with the crowd, Ali pointed out that he is in fact a welder by day, working in a place quite similar to what KK’s now great rock venue used to be. Going around he introduces the band as they each perform their own little musical interlude before continuing into Hellfire, using a bottle of Jack Daniels as a slider is new to me but we had this thrown in for good measure. Rounding out their time with us is the song that they filmed the music video for on this very stage, Sick of Myself.
It was a solid 30 minute set by a solid bunch of musicians, technically very adept, organised, energetic and very comfortable on stage. If it was your first Electric Black show, I don’t think it will be your last.
A brief hiatus as the set was redressed and instruments exchanged. A little of Aerosmith played as the members of The Karma Effect took their places, large brimmed hats seem to be a thing on this tour (a great thing in my opinion, I like me a big hat) as lead vocalist Henry Gottelier takes centre stage. They kick off proceedings with a drum beat and the wavering shrills of guitar that opens All Night Long.
Henry’s vocals soar above the high tempo, foot tapping instrumentals provided by Ash Powell on drums, Liam Quinn on bass, the energetic and seemingly effortless guitar tones put down by Robbie Blake alongside Seb Emmins providing the twinkling of the keys on the keyboard, something I’m always happy to hear in a rock group, keys or strings just add that extra layer for me.
Moving into Wrong Again, Mercy and Doubt She’s Coming Back all from the bands debut record back in 2022 which makes up a majority of their set tonight alongside a splattering of teaser tracks from the new release, Promised Land, due later this year prove that the group have an abundance of quality material and the tools to create more at their disposal, it’s something to look forward to in the near future if this performance is anything to go by.
As the set goes on, the choice of the Aerosmith track to open becomes more apparent as they share more than a few similarities with the legends. The catchy melodies and raw, vintage rock and roll sound bring the classic rock sound to a new generation.
See You Again and Livin’ It Up are a taste of the release to come before we end the session with Steal Your Heart and Testify from the debut record.
From the outset, the band exude energy, not just in their music but the whole ensemble showcases a stage performance fitting of any high level band, they don’t just seem comfortable in front of the crowds but they demand attention and command the very stage, occupying all of it making best use of all available space. Live music is far from just a play through of tracks, it’s all about the performance, the entertainment value and these guys certainly get it.
Finally the moment the crowd had waited for, Bad Touch were set to launch their Bittersweet Satisfaction tour right here at KK’s Steel Mill for night 1 of what is set to be a fantastic tour.
Bad Touch has gained recognition for their unique fusion of classic rock and modern blues, creating a sound that appeals to both young and old music enthusiasts. The band comprises five remarkable musicians: Stevie Westwood on vocals, Rob Glendinning and Daniel Seekings on guitar, Michael Bailey on bass, and newcomer Brad Newlands on drums.
Having seen Bad Touch in the past, many years ago and at a much smaller venue, I knew what to expect going into the night and I can safely say they didn’t disappoint, the song writing qualities, lyrically and instrumentally were still of the highest quality, each member of the band delivered and executed their parts to perfection and Stevie’s beard is as majestic as ever.
Opening the set with a mash up of Back in Black and the BeeGees Staying Alive, the band take to the stage to the cheers of the crowd and begin with the title track of latest album and the tour itself, Bittersweet Satisfaction.
Stevie Westwood's vocal range and control sets him apart as a truly exceptional vocalist. His ability to effortlessly transition from powerful bluesy notes to soulful melodies enhances the band's sound and captivates the audience from the very first song. With Stevie fronting the band, it's impossible not to be drawn into the emotional depth of their music.
Lift Your Head Up and Dressed To Kill bring well known tracks from the bands Shake a Leg record which are split by Strut from Kiss The Sky, aptly named as Stevie struts his stuff with grace, confidence and swagger across the stage through the entirety of the set. The confidence of the group has only improved since the last time I saw them perform.
Rob Glendinning and Daniel Seekings prove to be a dynamic duo when it comes to their guitar playing. Their intricate solos, catchy riffs, and seamless harmonization enhance the band's sound, adding depth and texture to each song.
Returning to the new record, Slip Away is then followed by another classic, Good On Me, proving that the band has a versatile catalogue of tracks that blend well with each other despite the years between their releases. They have a definitive style that is their own.
Taste This, See It To Believe It and Spend My Days further showcase the latest album release. It’s worth adding that The Captain, Brad Newlands proves his value in adding to Bad Touch with his hard hitting drums, making sure the band keep their timing as Stevie points out to humorous effect that he himself can’t count. The set is rounded out with a fantastic cover of Alanis Morissette’s Hand In My Pocket followed by This Life. The encore consisting of Nothing Wrong With That (Allowing Stevie his Jon Bon Jovi moment) brings a spot light shining on Stevie with a lone acoustic guitar before the rest of the band rejoin to bring the song to a full blown rock climax that ends with a performance of 99%.
This evening proved to be an unforgettable night for any rock music enthusiast. The band's exceptional musical abilities, energetic stage presence, and well-crafted setlist left the audience craving for more. Bad Touch continues to solidify their reputation as one of the most talented rock bands of this generation.
Photo credits: Scott Clarke Photography
