The Best Bad Influence

Date: 27/05/22

Location: St Enochs, Glasgow

Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTheBestBadInfluence

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_best_bad_influence/?hl=en

Website: https://linktr.ee/OfficialTheBestBadInfluence

I was having a meander through Glasgow on a sunny, very windy Friday morning and I heard the glorious sound of Rockabilly blowing about the streets. It was bouncing off all of the buildings which provided a superb subtle delay effect which filled out the already rich mix that the guys were throwing out. There was already a crowd gathering when I got there and there were smiles all around with adults and kids doing that weird, awkward, pseudo-stealth-shuffle as they inch closer to the big double bass case that was today’s receptacle for donations. It always makes me smile when people do that. The palpable effort of attempted invisibility in front of an audience. Like when you’re receiving a diploma or retrieving your homework from the teacher in front of the class or when you’re at the 10 pin bowling and you walk back that couple of steps after you’ve a. Had a Strike or b. Introduced your ball to the gutter…again!

However, there is no awkwardness on “stage” and the energy and talent draw you right in. The wind is blowing the guys hair all over the place and this only adds to the electricity being created.

There is a woman dancing in front of the band, blissfully unaware and completely immersed in the rhythm of the moment. The crowd look at the band and then back at the woman, enjoying the vibe.

While I was chatting with the guys on a break, the woman comes up and thanks them and shares a story about her life. Her name is Vivien, “Just like the actress Vivien Leigh.” She was named after her father’s ship HMS Vivien.

During our conversation we learn that she was a wee girl when her dad died at sea. He fought in the Navy in WW2 and and died of a heart attack in the Merchant Navy and was buried at sea so neither her nor her mother were able to be at the funeral. There was a ceremony for him later which the Lord provost of Glasgow attended. She tells us that she used to love “The Twist” and that she used to go dancing at the Barrowlands. She asks when the boys will start playing again and then says that she will leave us to it and walks away.

The power of music. The communication and transference of energy, the trigger of melody and rhythm that joins a crowd of complete strangers and makes them all move at the same time. It makes them smile, stop for a moment and brings back the memories from a time long past. Truly amazing.

Tech Spec

Guitar is a Gretsch hollow body, I believe it’s a 5120. Modified pickups and adorned in paintings.
Upright bass is an unknown brand but we found it smashed up on the internet and got it for chump change, repaired it and painted it up to make it nice and rockabilly-fied.
Drum kit is a Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz with Tristar cymbals and a pearl kick pedal.

Interview

Kirk: Hi guys, do you have time for a quick chat?

Alex: Yeah sure!

Kirk: That’s a great sound you have there. What’s the band’s name?

Nyall: The Best Bad Influence, everyone forgets the “The” but it’s important (Laughs)

Kirk: How long have been going?

Alex: Almost 5 years now

Kirk: Are you Glasgow based?

Alex: No, we’re from North Ayrshire

Nyall: We come from 3 towns in the Garnock Valley. We’ve kinda raised out of the pit (laughs)

Kirk: Do you gig in Glasgow?

Alex: Aye, we do. We’ve had quite a few gigs here.

Nyall: We’re playing Howlin Wolf on the 4th June. That’s the same day as our new single comes out!

Kirk: What’s the new single called?

Alex: It’s called “Boomstick”

Kirk: And what does that relate to?

Alex: It’s a song written from the perspective of a bank robber and the “Boomstick” is the shotgun.

Nyall: It’s just a laugh. Just some great, silly music.

Kirk: So, you’re on Spotify? What have you got on there?

Nyall: We’ve got an album and two singles. The album is called “Rocket”. It’s 12 original songs that were recorded in 2019 and released in 2020 during the pandemic. We’re now back working again and recording. We’ll be recording the 2nd album as soon as we can.

Kirk: Who are you guys? What are your names?

Alex: I’m Alex (Munro) on guitar and vocals.

Nyall: Nyall (Waldron) with a “Y” on drums

Mark: Mark (Lidell) on Upright Bass

Kirk: What are the influences?

Alex: All of the 50’s artists like Johnny Burnette, Gene Vincent…

Nyall: We’ve all go super-different tastes. I’m more into the Psychobilly.

Mark: I like all of the classic 50’s material.

Kirk: Anything else you’d like to say?

Nyall: Just again to come along to the Howlin Wolf on the 4th June between 6.00pm and 8.00pm to help us celebrate the release of our new single…and the after-party is wherever you want it to be…just don’t forget to invite us long!!