In 2019 so far, one of the bands I am most excited about is a young trio who take their influence from the rockabilly scene, playing a mix of their own songs alongside some classic covers.
I finally got the opportunity to see The Best Bad Influence live in the flesh, and I’m delighted to report that they do live up to my expectations. The buzz around the band is phenomenal, feedback from those who had already seen them was glowing, reaction to their performances on their social media posts including some impromptu busking sessions was through the roof for a young, relatively new unsigned band, the views and shares was astounding. When I shared them, I had friends UK wide commenting on how good the busking videos were, everything seems to be pointing to a bright future for this exuberant three-piece.
Fresh from seeing them live, I got the opportunity to ask a few quick questions of the band.
Tell me a bit about the three of you, how you got into music and playing in a band together?
Well, we all got into it roughly the same way. We’d sit in the car listening to and discovering new old sounds. From Johnny Burnette to Carl Perkins. The car was our original source of inspiration. As for finding ourselves we all went to the same school and jammed together. We never really all became a band until Band Factory in Beith. So, thanks to Unlicensed Events who put it on. Eventually we came to find our love for rockabilly together.
You recently shared on social media where your name came from, and on Saturday you played on a bill with The Bikini Bottoms – What is it with Spongebob Squarepants?
Who doesn’t like SpongeBob. It’s always been a good source of laughs.
As many new bands seek different routes, musical styles and accessing technology to get their music across to their fans, you have chosen a classic style and a very traditional grassroots method of getting your music out their – gig, gig, gig. What made you pick your style and sound and this particular route? Who are your influences?
Obviously the big one. Stray cats. We also love a few others like little Richard and Jerry lee, they’ve got that raw energy in their music, Imelda May and Darrell Higham are a few from the current scene. But we just love that 50s sound. Just got a great feel. As for gigging. We just love to play so, do as many as we can.
I know your music and style will attract some older fans (like me), harking back to the old days, those who saw bands like the Stray Cats back in the 80s (maybe they had tickets for their ill-fated farewell show and were gutted they didn’t visit Glasgow this year – not that I’m bitter…). I also know you went to see said band in Manchester. What is the audience mix at your gigs like? What has the reaction been like at the gigs you’ve played?
We’re always quite surprised with the amount of people that seem to like what we do. We have a good mix of an audience that seem to dig what we do. We just like to see them dancing and enjoying themselves.
Recently you posted videos from some busking you did in Glasgow. This brought a huge smile to my face, reminding me of a band that played on the streets of Glasgow back in the 80’s – my memory is fuzzy but they may have been called “Out to Lunch”, but I may also be talking rubbish (anyone help with this?) Anyway, how did you decide to head out onto the street – what was the instant reaction on the streets like (I know it attracted a tremendous amount of likes on FB)?
We were more than surprised with the reaction we got busking. We just went up to get some spare money for ourselves and next thing we know there’s crowds watching us. It was a great refreshing feel and we’ve been up a few times since and got the same warm reactions. We’re more than thankful.
When can we expected to hear some recorded output from the band?
We’re actually hoping to get some recorded stuff out soon. Keep your eyes peeled on our social media pages 😉
(GQ – if you were lucky you may have picked up a 4-track CD the band were selling at the gig on Saturday)
You are a hard-gigging young band, recently playing 5 gigs across two days, what else is on the horizon for The Best Bad Influence?
We can’t keep track of all that’s coming up for us. There’s a lot coming in. We have the Beith Beer Fest on the 31st of August, The Cave in Paisley on 7th September and the Real Ale Fest in Troon on the 5th of October. By far our biggest will be our first gig outside of Scotland on the 15th November in Wakefield. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come and we’ll be able to go further and further, we’ll cross the Channel next. We’ll still come back to Scotland no matter what.
Thanks to the band for taking some time out of their bust schedule to have a chat.
I guarantee we’ll be hearing a lot more from this band in the future, I for one can’t wait.
The Best Bad Influence are:
- Alexander Munro – Guitar/vocals
- Mark Liddell – Bass
- Nyall Waldron – Drums