Bad Influence Band
"Under The Influence"
Badblues Records
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © December 2011

Taking a cue from the picture on the cover of the disc, let me tell you that when it comes to the blues, the Bad Influence Band does not monkey around. As a matter of fact, from what I'm hearing, they should consider changing the name of their Indie label from Badblues to Badassblues.

The Bad Influence Band is: Roger Edsall on harp, rhythm and slide guitars, and vocals; Bob Mallardi on bass and vocals; Michael "Jr" Tash on guitar and vocals; and David Thaler on drums and vocals. On "Under The Influence" - their third release which features over 50% original music - special guest musicians include: Timm Biery on percussion; Jay Monterose on guitar solo (7); Tom Ruggieri on sax; Mark Stevens on piano; and John Ware on guitar (7).

"Man Child" does exactly what an opening track should do - make a strong first impression. It features the bands four man nucleus all doing what they do and doing it all very well. It's a well sung original song featuring hard and hot rhythm, smokin' lead and slide guitar work, and sharp harp leads. This may very well be the disc's best track and I'm hoping there's lots more like it.

However it is you move to music, be it tapping your foot, playing the drums on your knees, bobbin' your head back and forth or shakin' your hips, you'll be doing it to "Dancing Like You Don't Dance With Me", 'cause this is music that will move you. Nothing wild, nothing fancy, just a hell of a good band locked into a hell of a good groove. This is what I call "lock the door and throw away the key" stuff.....I want to feel it forever.

As long as you're already on the dance floor - stay there. Just get ready to step it up a notch. "Hey Red" is made for all out boogieing. Led by David at disc's best on drums, the Bad Influence Band blows right past fourth and locks tightly into fifth gear on this smoker. Other highlights include great harmonizing along with Bob's vocal lead, and Mark getting in some licks on piano.

"Sugar Daddy Baby", is just one of several songs written and sung by Roger. It, as well as the others, gives this listener the impression that Rick Estrin may have been a big influence on Roger. It's got those Estrinesque lyrics, that Estrinesque delivery and the wonderfully sounding Estrinesque style of harp playing. Other highlights include Bob and Tom with great bass and sax beats.

Just as it was back in the Creedence Clearwater Revival days, the Bad Influence Band's version of John Fogerty's "Run Through the Jungle", is heavily rhythm and percussion influenced. Good sing-a-long type song bringing along good flashbacks with it.

If the scorching guitar leads, wicked hot harp highlights and the gut wrenching vocals that you hear on low down dirty blues tracks do for you what they do for me, then do as I did when "As The Year's Go Passing By" comes on. Sit back, close your eyes, clear your mind and let Michael, Roger and Bob take you on a six minute trip through the blues.....then do it again for six more minutes. You're welcome!

"Hush Your Mouth" a song by the late Gary Primich, is about a fast talkin' woman. Therefore, the bands gotta keep up with her, right? This wickedly fast shuffle does indeed feature a race between Roger on the vocals and the rest of the band jammin' out. And the winner is....the dancers - after they catch their breath.

Other tracks on "Under The Influence" include: "Do As I Say", "Cat Fight II: PTP", "Looking Right At Me", "Room 111", "Mailbox Blues", and "Back In My Boogie" (aka "Rockin' My Boogie").

When the band sent me this CD for review, they expressed an interest in having it completed before several Blues Foundation presentations take place. I can't tell you how they'll fare there, but I do know that "Under The Influence" just impressed me enough to be in the running for the www.Mary4Music.com 2011 Blewzzy Award.

Please check out the Bad Influence Band by going to their website... www.badinfluenceband.com and follow my usual suggestions: Buy the disc and tell them the Blewzzman sent ya.