Bad Touch/Broken Witt Rebels Southampton Talking Heads 01-04-17

This is the second outing for the Roadstars banner with 2 of the UK's finest and upcoming bands on the bill sharing and alternating headline status with a set time of about an hour each.

In front of a healthy Saturday night crowd it was the turn of Broken Witt Rebels to open proceedings and the Birmingham 4 piece who have been championed by Planet Rock Radio, the band also picked up the “Best Rock Act” at the first annual Unsigned Music Awards held at The Troxy in London didn't disappoint anyone.

With 3 ep's under their belts and numerous support slots with King King and Joanne Shaw Taylor to name but a few and the many miles on the road have turned them into a superb live outfit with songs that are begging to be seen by stadiums and their debut album due for release this year will be a monster.

Led by vocalist and some time guitarist Danny Core who was mesmerising.His smoky raspy vocals were mind blowing with a huge range and he feels and believes every word as he pours every ounce of his soul into his performance and is soon bathed in sweat.The man is a star.

Backed up by Luke Davis on bass,James Dudley on drums and James Tranter on guitar their ep songs go down well with the crowd with opener and Planet Rock favourite Low but for me it's the new unrecorded new songs that show off their talent from the blues led Turn Me On,sure fire hit in the making Hurricane, to the heavy riff led Snake Eyes that combines a Black Sabbath riff with a huge chorus and just a huge groove that just make you want to move.

Towards the end of the set we get the single Georgia Pines and the follow up Guns that has seen nearly 500000 hits on youtube showing the appeal that the band have before oldie Shake Me Down ends a set from a band destined for big big things.

Bad Touch have just released album number 2 Truth Be Told and their classic rock sound with hints of the Black Crowes is designed for the live setting and they again in their allotted hour show off a 12 song set with new and debut album cuts all meshing together superbly.

Led by flamboyant and hatted Stevie Westwood who impressed with his witty stage patter and superb vocal tone the Norfolk 5 piece have a new member.

On guitar was Harry Slater who looks about 14 but plays like a veteran of years on the road.He reminded me with his stage mannerisms and look to Joe Bonamassa and his playing was stunning with solo after solo of fiery guitar pyrotechnics but all played with a melodic style and not just how many notes can I play as fast as possible.He also introduced one song with a lengthy slide guitar piece that impressed too.He in my opinion gave the songs in the live setting a more metal feel and it will be interesting to see how he sounds on the next cd as he settles in over time.Very impressive.

Rhythm guitarist Daniel Seekings is an excellent foil for Slater to play off and the rhythm team of Micheal Bailey on bass and George Drewry on drums were rock solid all night too.

Opener Good On Me always brings a smile to my face with its witty tale of do those jeans come in a size 14? before new song Heartbreaker Soulshaker with its heavy groove and big chorus delivered to perfection.

New songs included Waiting For This,My Mother Told Me that segued into the Black Crowes Too Hard To Handle and a crowd sing along and first single 99% with its superb chorus and radio appeal.

For me the stand out song on the cd is Outlaw and in the live setting wow.It has a great chorus but its the second half of the song that is stunning with Slater playing guitar solo after solo of melodic wonderfullness alongside under and over Westwood's vocal and it took the roof off.
Oh for the days of big budget video's taking bands off to megastardom this song deserves it.

The band pretended to leave the stage but finished off on a high with The Mountain which builds dips and rises again all groove and attitude and more Slater guitar highlights and left us wanting more as all good gigs should.

Both bands impressed and shows the depth and talent the UK has to offer and that is a good thing to report.

2 gigs left on the tour in Birmingham and London do yourself a favour and get along.