fuck this I’m improving my life and I’m making it everyone else’s problem
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fuck this I’m improving my life and I’m making it everyone else’s problem
"start art", because it rhymes
It is a winter issue. The second edition, which this is and actually does expand the panel at the bottom to replace the indicia at the bottom of the page -- is from 1980. Odd, as the Summer Olympics -- which has diving and swimming in it as opposed to Winter -- were boycotted by the US. I guess he's excited about the winter ones, even though this event he is judging is not parcel to that.
Karl Selickis Talking about the Bad Flowers Beat
Karl Selickis Talking about the Bad Flowers Beat
Evening Karl, last time I spoke to Tom just before the launch of your debut album Starting Gun. Lots has happened in the world of Bad Flowers since then. Thought I would take this opportunity to chat to the man with the sticks.
KS: Yes it has been pretty non-stop looking forward to chatting with you
BD It is lovely to talk to a drummer rather than vocalist or guitarist for a change. How important…
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Three bands, one album launch all in The Asylum. These Wicked Rivers, Those Damn Crows and top of the bill The Bad Flowers. The race is on to hear the music before the Starting Gun is fired and The Asylum has been ripped apart with the rock and roll majesty that is The Bad Flowers.
The running order tonight is These, Those, THE… Starting off with rock that flowed as These Wicked Rivers took to the stage. The four-piece from Derby hit the stage with a hefty, groove that set the scene. With drummer Dan Southall the star reigning from the back with a tight performance. The impressive set with John Hartwell on vocals adding a gruff intensity to every vocal lyric. Jon Hallam’s bass work captured a deep reserve whichever bass of choice. With frets, and without he ensured the bass line zinged with power; leaving the guitar work from Arran Day to pull the four-piece together in a melodic sound pulling on modern influences and capturing the inner steel of rock-blues.
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Short change over and the tempo changed as Those Damn Crows stepped up to be heard as the sold-out venue was becoming packed. The band from Bridgend where determined that we would remember the set and that they were here, like These Wicked Rivers, to entertain and party in celebration of The Bad Flowers debut album.
This was not the time for chatter and introductions. It was about the music and the heavy rocking sound left you wanting more despite the fact that we were all waiting for the main act of the night to perform. The five-piece used every inch of the stage including a box for Shane to stand on singing out into the audience full of vim and vigour. Crows were definitely the perfect warm-up act for The Bad Flowers. This is a band with attitude as they opened their account with Don’t Give A Damn. The anthemic track Rock n’ Roll Ain’t Dead had the venue partying on a Saturday night. What an impressive set young bands playing rock n’ roll with gritty determination. This is a band on the dark side of having fun with music as the twin guitars create a wall of sound.
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Having written a rave review, broke my own review rules and gave debut album top marks, I was hoping The Bad Flowers would not let me down when playing live at the sold-out album launch gig. Unsurprisingly, the set was dominated by tracks from Starting Gun. We wanted to hear the tracks live and dirty. The venue was hot and packed, an old-fashioned gigging venue where you were up close and personal with the bands. The amount of smoke pouring off the stage at times made the vocals feel as they were coming from a disembodied Tom Leighton and the band members shrouded in coloured fog. This did nothing to distort the good time rock that is the trademark of a trio that plays as if they are a larger band. Tom Leighton with his vocal dexterity that shapes every song is joined by a powerhouse of a rhythm section. Dale Tonks on bass and Karl Selickis on drums creating an incendiary rock that fills the venue with power and glory.
The crowd were responsive. They loved every act so far and now the atmosphere was superb for the trio from Cannock. As they hit the chords of Hurricane. They were building up storm-clouds of rock that cascaded across the venue. Tom is everything a band needs charismatic, with his distinctive sound that sends the lyrics across the venue like a clarion call.
The Flowers have created a bouquet of rock that is a listening experience that delights as we were royally entertained by a young band that has all the credentials to go to the top of the rock tree. The band took us back in time with Run Run, Run from their first E.P. and a thank you to the many fans who have been on this musical journey together. The rock shimmered with blues riffs that ground the band in the past, yet the sound is one-hundred percent of now! They nailed every track leaving nothing to disappoint, a great performance that kicked the numbers into a living breathing rocking shape. Highlights were Thunder Child the first single of the album, City Lights a song we all want to sing along to and Lions Blood. A triumphant triumvirate of numbers. The Bad Flowers play indigo rock that shimmers as the vocals curl around the riffs and chord changes. Tom has something to sing about and he sings loud and clear. Your attention never falters when the trio is on stage.
Now they had planned an encore and the crowds wanted more. BUT the speakers were silent. The band is confused, the audience perplexed. Still, time before curfew and the crowds had been noisy but well behaved. So why were we getting the silent treatment? The sound man had switched of the desk and left the building. Tom thought about it. Jumped off the stage. Got sound back live and we had a cracking double encore. Now were are back in the land of Rock n roll and a celebratory album launch. Living The Dream, tonight the Flowers definitely were and a cracking cover of War Pigs. The sound went up a few decibels as we sang and partied with the band of the moment The Bad Flowers.
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Hurricane Who Needs A Soul Big Country Lions Blood Secrets Let’s Misbehave Run Run Run Be Your Man Rich Man I Don’t Believe It Thunder Child City Lights
Encore
Living The Dream War Pigs (Black Sabbath cover)
The Bad Flowers are out on the road opening for Stone Broken & Jared James Nichols
Starting Gun fired for The Bad Flowers Album Launch Three bands, one album launch all in The Asylum. These Wicked Rivers, Those Damn Crows…
The Bad Flowers-Starting Gun Following on from a debut, self-titled EP in 2016 and a heavy bout of gigging, writing and recording, Midlands based rockers, The Bad Flowers are quick out the blocks in 2018, with the release of their debut album, Starting Gun. The band having continued to develop their sound since the aforementioned EP, decided to record in their hometown of Cannock at the Vigo Studios, with long term friend of the band and producer Adam Beddow, who helped the band try to capture that raucous live sound they've become renowned for. The Bad Flowers take their original cues from the golden era of 70's/80's (bluesy) rock and then batten down the hatches, crank the amps and let rip, in places bringing to mind, a muscular Zeppelin or a prime time Cult, the trio still manage to stand out with subtle touches of their own and a killer hook or three forcing the listener to sit (or indeed stand) to attention.Opening with the album's first single, Thunder Child, the band lay their statement of intent from the off, drummer Karl Selickis counting off on his cymbals before Tom Leighton (guitars/vocals) and Dale Tonks (bass) set about creating a dense groove, as Selickis explores his kit. As the four minute rocker continues Leighton reveals a glorious rock holler, whilst the rhythm section add harmonies in all the right places, as the track's hook, rattles and then floors the listener. Lions Blood proudly follows, again the rhythm section lay the foundations, whilst Tom's busy cranking out a ballsy, yet instantly memorable riff, whilst vocally, summoning Astbury at his feral best. Secrets starts a little slower than the two previous numbers, opening with a rumbling fuzzy blues bass, but it soon develops into an early album highlight, retaining the blues swagger throughout, the band lock into a deep yet powerful groove whilst Leighton delivers a knowing sneer hooking the listener in. A further highlight, I Hope, was something of a last minute addition, Tom hitting the studio one evening armed with a lone acoustic for company. The stripped back number sees a reflective Tom showcasing a more, dare I say, soulful approach, emoting beautifully over a strummed six-string, offering a previously unheard vulnerability that I for one hope Bad Flowers continue to explore somewhere down the line. And whilst we're talking of emotional pull, I have to mention the scintillating album centrepiece, Let's Misbehave, which again sees Leighton tug at the heart strings with a passionate, emotion fueled lead, whilst allowing his guitar to do the talking during a scorching middle section, as he shows he's no slouch in the six string department. The album continues to deliver the goods throughout, Be Your Man, sees Selickis batter his kit as the band deliver a frantic turn of pace, Hurricane lives up to it's name as the band create a perfect storm of howling riffs and blurred sticks, whilst former EP favourite City Lights rounds the album off much as it began, with a muscular, balls out rocker nigh on impossible to ignore. With a UK tour with Stone Broken and Jared James Nichols set to kick off this month and a shit kicking debut under their belts, 2018 is set to be a big year for The Bad Flowers, so if you like your rock hard hitting with a twist of blues I rather suggest this is one race you don't want to miss.
Stone Broken February/March 2018 UK Tour with Special Guests Jared James Nichols & The Bad Flowers
Brighton, The Haunt Thursday 22 February
London, Islington Assembly Hall Saturday 24 February
Manchester, Club Academy Sunday 25 February
Glasgow, G2 Monday 26 February
Newcastle, Riverside Wednesday 28 February
Nottingham, Rescue Rooms Thursday 01 March
Pontypridd, Muni Arts Centre Friday 02 March
Birmingham, O2 Institute2 Saturday 03 March
Sheffield, Corporation Sunday 04 March
Chester, Live Rooms Tuesday 06 March
Bristol, The Fleece Wednesday 07 March
In Conversation As the Starting Gun Fires Up For Bad Flowers
Liz chatting with Tom Leighton Lead Vocalist and Guitarist for The Bad Flowers. Good evening Tom, thank you for taking time out to chat to Bluesdoodles. The Bad Flowers will be a new band to many readers of Bluesdoodles. So this is the perfect chance to talk about debut album and part of a tour we are all excited about. With The Bad Flowers as special guests for a night of exciting music with…
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Bad Flowers Firing a Bouquet With Starting Gun
Starting Gun launching The Bad Flowers into the spotlight with the attention of radio plays, interviews and national tour. The artwork defines the album as The Bad Flowers Firing a Bouquet With Starting Gun sums up the rocking ride that kick starts 2018. The music is sharp, melodic, exciting and above all entertaining. The melodies and rhythms are addictive, with lyrics and licks that become…
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Time ~ Pink Floyd