Norfolk blues-rockers Bad Touch share their latest hip-shaking anthem, "See It To Believe It", taken from their eagerly anticipated fifth studio album, Bittersweet Satisfaction, set for release on November 10, 2023 via Marshall Records. Stream the new single now, and pre-order the album here.
Brimming with infectious, good-time, classic rock riffs tailor-made for the epic backdrop of a Hollywood road-trip movie, "See It To Believe It" stands as a testament to the timeless appeal of modern classics.
"Seeks came in with the original riff which ended up becoming the motif for the song," remarks guitarist Rob Glendinning. "It was a heavy, driving riff which we all loved and reminded us of Queen. It came together naturally as more of a Bad Touch classic, venturing away from the southern rock vibe we are known for, but still as hard-hitting."
Frontman Stevie Westwood expands on the hazy themes of the track, "You want to know what happened that night? You wouldn't believe me if I told you!" the vocalist jests. "It's all about having a night you can't remember, and by that, we mean a night you'll never forget. It’s a feelgood rocker drawing influence from our big 3 ‘Q’s - Quo, Quireboys & Queen! So, if you need a song to make you smile… this song is for you."
Bittersweet Satisfaction sees Bad Touch back, bigger, and bolder than ever before. The band combines classic rock riffs with choruses destined for stadiums, and their signature fun loving attitude to create a some of their best work to date. The record is a ray of positive energy, a celebration of living in the moment and leaving your troubles at the door.
“We are a feel-good, good-time rock’n’roll band.” So says guitarist Daniel “Seeks” Seekings, and really, why does it need to be more complicated than that? It’s been recorded and finished for half a year, and – with a more polished, mainstream sound than they’ve explored before, but still with its roots in the classic rock of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and The Black Crowes – the band are bursting to let it loose on the world.
“We've never sat on anything that long because we're like kids in a candy shop, as soon as we write something, we want to get out there and play stuff,” says frontman Stevie Westwood. “So, it's very exciting. It's slightly more mature. I love every song. It's a different sound for Bad Touch. It's less balls-to-the-wall rock, and the songs seem a bit more thoughtful rather than just kind of exploded out of a tin can.”
Bittersweet Satisfaction finds Bad Touch with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Recorded at The Marshall Studio in Milton Keynes, it was self-produced by the band, engineered by Marshall’s Adam Beer and Ollie Brightman, then mixed in Wales by Motörhead / Bring Me The Horizon producer Romesh Dodangoda, who has made the drums sound suitably immense. A collection of classic rock anthems with heart and soul to spare, it’s sparked grand but relatable ambitions in the Bad Touch camp, a desire to give up the day jobs and dedicate their lives to rock’n’roll, and maybe even, Seeks hopes, have a shot at hitting the charts. Really, though, it’s all about the live experience, the coming together of likeminded people to celebrate the healing powers of music.
“I love meeting new people,” says Seeks. “The ultimate thing is being on stage. Especially if you've got a roomful of people who are really enjoying the music that you've created.”
“There are so many people that come up and shake my hand and go, ‘Your music has really helped me’, and that's a really special thing,” adds Westwood. “I think that's why music resonates with people; they want to feel that their emotions are validated. That's what I always long for when I come to songwriting – I want to write a song that someone can resonate with and go, ‘I've been here, and this is not necessarily a lovely place, but as long as there's someone else who's feeling the same emotions, then at least I'm not alone.’ Doing the nine-to-five is okay, as long as you got a Bad Touch gig at the end of the week.”
Bittersweet Satisfaction artwork and tracklisting:
"Slip Away"
"This Life"
"Spend My Days"
"Bittersweet Satisfaction"
"Nothing Wrong With That"
"Taste This"
"Tonight"
"Come Back Again"
"See It To Believe It"
"Dizzy For You"
(Photo courtesy of Blackham Images)
