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REVIEW SNIPPETS...

Sascha Boehm for Vibrations @ Oporto - Leeds "Finally, we have The Touch, who are well oiled up due to a delayed running order and a rare free drinks rider! 'That's What You Gotta Do' opens their set with a bang, taking obvious classic influences and bringing them right up to date with their own brand of riff heavy blues rock. 'Madman On A Cliff' is a foot stomping assault with pounding drums and a real urgency to it that blends nicely into the groovy Black Keys style 'Doin' Gods Dirty Work' complete with a descending vocal and guitar combo that brings a now full Oporto to life. They play effortlessly and compliment each other so well, no more so than on the relentless 'Leave A Sign Behind' and new song 'You're In Control' which they finish a really accomplished rock n' roll set with. If you've heard their music, then get to a gig. They may not be playing these venues for much longer. They are really that good!"

Sandman Magazine - Jack Afro / The Touch - Quidrophenia @ Aporto, Leeds." (The room)...rapidly fills to capacity after someone in the next room is heard to say, “Hey, isn’t that...?” And so it is for The Touch, who nevertheless rip into their set with demonic fervour. This three-piece source the Stones, Motorhead and Wolfmother, their sexy, bass heavy noise combining psychedelic sounds with dirty, bluesy riffs. The fact that the drummer pulls sex faces while he’s playing confirms their rock credentials. A shame that The Touch played while it was still light outside; they’re a band who make you feel you should be drinking bourbon out of a cowboy boot and gobbing into a spitoon, which is a good thing."

Sandman Magazine - The Touch / Jon Jones and the Beatniks Movement @ The Love Apple, Bradford. "...they made more of an impression with their eclectic look and more original sound. Called up at the last minute to replace Harmacy and Buen Chico, The Touch saved the day with their 60’s rock modernised by an interesting use of effects pedals. There was a real energy about their playing, not to forget the fact the drummer was threatening to tear his skins with the intensity of his pounding. Just back from their self organised UK tour they were an interesting, if a little unexpected, addition to the gig which could have been decidedly bare without them."

Music Guru - Bright Young Things 2007: The Touch + Helena Gee + Wintermute @ Mine, Leeds University – Sunday 18th March 2007 "…If you are in the place and have a pulse, make some noise" announces Testament as The Touch take to the stage. They are due to tour America in May and can be found on this year's festival circuit. The Touch are on a roll, in fact they are on a rock and roll mission. At an earlier gig they started filming a video, and they are using tonight's gig for some close up shots of the band in action. Drummer already stripped to the waist. 'Mad Man On A Cliff' opens up with lots of great 60s blues and rock licks and riffs. This band know how to rock and how to rock with feeling. The instruments give a psychedelic scream of ecstasy. "Where did you go, what did you do to my life." Harmony vocals reach for your soul, as the guitar, bass and drums hammer into your brain. Clapton, Hendrix and Cream in particular are all in there with some psychedelic rock at its best. They are gonna go down a storm in America, you can feel the power and literally smell the music. The walls are truly shaking to its foundations… 'Leave A Sign Behind' is announced as a "new one" and it literally blows your socks off. You can feel the power and energy flowing through you. Waves of guitar bouncing off of every available orifice. Top drawer stuff indeed. 'That's What You Gotta Do' (The BYT track) gently eases in before slowly crashing inwards and finally letting an almost restrained rip. The set is truly a psychedelic blues experience. Then the song just explodes before coming back down to earth again with cymbals everywhere. The instruments go absolutely beserk on the last one (and Animal is truly on the drums tonight)…”

Mono Magazine - Demo Mono Rating – 4 out of 5 “One thing you just can’t knock The Touch for is their work ethic. I don’t wanna describe them as workhorses, because it doesn’t do them credit, more like kaleidoscopic Pegasus’s whose mission is to spread the spirit of the late 1960’s all over again. Ever heard the term ‘know your subject’, well, The Touch certainly do and so young. With their new songs they continue to master their blues heavy brit-rock. That’s What You Gotta Do carries on where Cream left off (at the back end of the 60’s), blissed out vintage tube tone guitars and plenty of big bass lines. This is the kind of tune The Touch do so well and wouldn’t be out of place on a Coral Record had they decided to ‘rawk’ out. They capture what the majority of 60’s Psych-Rock bands did so well: mood swinging. Here, sombre dreamy verses explode into groovy energetic choruses taking the listener from the darkness of the shade into the hot sun then back into the shade again. Listen to it; you’ll know what I mean. It Takes Time is full on Who rock with driving bass and drums and has ‘feel good’ written all over it. There’s delayed guitars, powerful vocals, and lyrics about personal freedom. John Entwistle R.I.P! Third and final track is Mad Man on a Cliff which has a riff straight outta the Led Zep rule book. It’s classic Northern Soul beat pounds and delivers one of the best tunes they have written so far. When I see these guys live I am constantly impressed with their energy and verve…Keep it real boys.”

Rock Idols - "Out of them all I think the one band who particularly stood out was The Touch. Fusing Blues guitar with simple but effective bass lines and a drummer who beats the drums so hard you would swear he grew up in the jungle."

Vibrations Magazine - "The Pigeon Detectives/The Touch-Shine On @ Joseph's Well, Leeds, "This is by far the most energetic performance of the night so far with the lead singer jumping around the stage like he owns the damn thing, to say this lad has a presence is an understatement and to me he seems like he has been partying for the last few days and just seemed to find himself at Joseph's Well onstage with a band!"

Glasswerk Leeds - "Refreshing blends of uplifting guitar music give you pockets of joy. Light vocals that blast from the 60s, quality."

Studentguru - "The singing is raw and powerful, the guitars are spikey and relentless...I can imagine their live show is a fast and frenzied affair...You can tell someone with a dab of star quality about them...By the second song the drummer walks on stage with a pint in his hand, and the lead singer cant remember the title of the next song...Then as the three of them hurl themselves into their set they become a tight competent outfit...Tribal Specteresque drums, waves of guitar lashing against the walls and ceiling.....I highly recommend this band...buy the cd...see them live...you will certainly not be disappointed!"

Heathenangel - "Ones to watch for the future for definite."