Interview: Bad Touch

The Gig Cartel and Planet Rock have the rather admirable policy of getting two or more young bands, chucking them on tour and then charging a fair price for those of us who like to rock. Last year The Tunnels hosted the inaugural Roadstars tour (review here) and this time around it’s Bad Touch and Broken Witt Rebels gracing The Tunnels stage on 30th March.  Stevie Westwood (Bad Touch voice) agreed that submitting to the B247 vinyl enquirer would be a good thing so here’s the rather amusing results, and would someone please buy him a record player for his birthday or something.

What was the first record you ever bought and where did you buy it?

I think the first CD I bought with my own money was something like Big Willie Style – Will Smith at the age of like eight or something… Where did I buy it? I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning, let alone where I was when this happened! Nevertheless, still a great album from before I got into this rock n roll thing that I hold a soft spot for to this day.

What was the most recent record you bought and where did you buy it?

I bought a couple recently… Both off the internet I’m somewhat ashamed to say. (Apologies to all the independent music shops out there.) One was Like an Arrow by Blackberry Smoke, and the other was Take Me to Church by Hozier. Both great albums that I’d listened to extensively beforehand via streaming. But as a musician myself trying to make money I felt I needed to actually get my wallet out and buy them.

What record do you stick on the deck to sooth your soul?

I have little in the way of vinyl, apart from our own one! Simply because I haven’t got a deck… but I love going round mates who do… the sound is unequaled and it is on my shopping list! But if I could parallel the question to my own music collection, if I really want to chill out it has to be Bob Marley and the Wailers… second to none at soul soothing.

Have you bought a record on the basis of a great single and then been disappointed by the rest of the album? If so, tell us all about it…

Of course singles are designed to hook you…I try not and be disappointed and listen to albums as whole pieces rather than a track here and a track there… Also albums I’ve bought and been underwhelmed with almost always win me over eventually as I’m the type of person to keep listening to an album until I like it! Haha. So short answer is no.

What record do you turn up to maximum to get in to that party mood?

Life is one big party! I’ve got some soul and Motown compilations that are second to none at a party to get people on the dance floor. It depends what party really and who I’m with… it can vary from The Levellers to AC/DC to LMFAO…and everything in between.

If we had the ability to land you at the recording of one classic LP so you could witness the whole recording process, what would you choose and why?

It would have to be one of my all-time favourites…Led Zeppelin II… just love the sound of that album and if I could steal any recording secrets from it I would in a heartbeat!

Ever bought a record solely because you liked the sleeve? If so, what was it and did it delight you or disappoint you?

I don’t have enough money to be so frivolous! I generally listen to stuff online, then if I like it, go out and buy it to support the artist…t’s what I would hope that everyone does!

Oh no, your house is burning down and you can only rescue one record! What would it be and why?

That is such an unfair question. Also I keep all of my music in an easy-to-grab carry case so it would never come to this! But my favourite album, probably of all time, has got to be By Your Side – Black Crowes.

What’s your favourite record sleeve? Tell us all about it (and whether or not the music gives you as much pleasure as the sleeve).

Stop reminding me that I don’t actually have any vinyl! So I’m not being egotistical when I say that I really dig our sleeve for Truth Be Told! It’s so groovy, and well done to my brother in arms Seeks who designed the artwork.

Morbidity alert: what record would you like played at your funeral?

It would have to be Go Faster – Black Crowes I want to go out the way I live my life now…

Pix by Rob Blackham

Read more: Metal & Prog Picks March.