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Okay. Let’s put this into perspective: 3 Bands of supreme quality – Jared James Nichols, Bad Touch and Dave Hanson – in a tiny room for the princely sum of £11? What’s not to enjoy? The Chester Live Rooms certainly know how to create an atmosphere and, boy, did those on show deliver.
Kicking off with the laid back, almost horizontally smooth playing of Dave Hanson, if ever there was a perfect opener to the sheer ostentation of what was to follow it has yet to be seen on these pages.
Joanna, the single from his album – ironically – Almost Horizontal, is a class riddled tale of lovelorn loneliness, juxtaposed by a Blues/ Rock exuberance that comes across in Feel The Fear from the same album. Add to this the accomplished skills of a tight fit backing band who know what’s required and what remains is a consummately accomplished set worthy of wider recognition.
Then, following a short hiatus, Bad Touch took to the stage. For those who’ve seen them you’ll know what’s coming next. For those totally unprepared – myself included – think whirlwind and times by ten. This is a band who knows how to entertain.
Fun, fast, full on and fabulous, Bad Touch took the room, held it, loved it and left their crowd begging for more. Steve Woods’ electrifying vocals, particularly on the AC/DC- esque Sweet Little Secret and Wise Water, totally mirror his out-and-out exuberance, flamboyance, energy and overall dexterity.
Then there is the guitar work of a somewhat reticent limelight hogger Robert Glendining which, other than being brilliant, adds a depth of feeling that is almost Skynard like. Okay, it may be a little ‘80s’ in style but, man, is it great!
Oh, and these are the support sets? Really??
Okay, Jared, let’s rock. And so, with long hair flowing and guitar locked and loaded, this is what the man from Wisconsin duly does. The new single Don’t You Try – with its somewhat disturbing video – kick things off nicely, before he segues beautifully into the full blown rocker that is Crazy.
If there is one thing that JJN cannot be accused of it is being understated. Jutting and posing like a man possessed, those in the know of when they are in the presence of truly great guitar playing are very rarely phased by the histrionics. Here, there is no need; being phased is not an option but instead watching what the man does with his instrument is phasing enough.
Watch him play Haywire from Old Glory and Wild Revival, or his exquisite tribute to Robin Trower’s Bridge of Sighs, then say this man is all mouth and no trousers. Of course, he isn’t alone in making the sound as rounded as it is, but rest assured he is alone when it comes to creating the charisma that surrounds his performance. Loud, proud and borderline arrogant when on stage, it is the sheer energy that expounds which sets the audience’s heads whirling.
A truly fabulous evening of music in a truly fitting and fabulous location.
Jared James Nichols, Bad Touch, Dave Hanson
The Chester Live Rooms
June 23rd, 2016
PR Rating: ***** Sublime