Not a million miles away from Moshville Times Central, here’s today’s Band of the Day…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We’re all from in and around Edinburgh, Scotland.
How did you meet?
We all played in local bands in Edinburgh in the 80’s, and knew each other from back then, but had never played together. Then about 6/7 years ago we all got together to play gigs as a covers band playing all the good old 80’s metal but choosing not to do all the normal stuff other bands do. Then out of the blue, ONR records contacted us looking to release an album. So, the covers band became Medusa Touch.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Medusa Touch started in 1982, we played until 1990/1991 then stopped playing. Then this year 2019 we put the current line up together and have just released our new album, got the t-shirts and got the album out on CD and all the digital channels.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
It’s from the film The Medusa Touch.
What are your influences?
This is always a good question and could take hours to go through them all. The band originally started after listening to MSG, Iron Maiden and Scorpions, then Dio, Saxon, Accept and Wasp, then Anthrax and Metallica… I could go on and on but there is a definite 2 guitar vibe needed.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Unique these days is that it’s 80’s metal, there’s not a lot of people doing it these days. No serious de-tuning to get the guitar really low and growling. Ours are de-tuned because I cant sing that high any more!
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
The themes were always current events or news stories. “Craze Amazing” was written about the Guinness Scandal and insider dealing, “Crying” about Ruth Ellis the last female to be hung in the UK, “Man in Black” written about the Hungerford massacre.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
It’s a very typical 80’s heavy metal gig. Everyone always says the songs are real fist-pumping songs that have great choruses that you can sing along to.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
I’m not sure about the wildest, but the most memorable was being right down the front at an Alice Cooper show. That is true theatre right there, very entertaining and keeps your attention all night.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Bruce (Drummer) – Mapex Kit, Zyldian Cymbals, bobs sticks
Demi (Bass Player) – Hartke Bass rig, ESP Basses
Nigel (Guitar) – Jackson/Charvel Guitars, Blackstar Amps
Gogsy (Singer/Guitar) – Ibanez/Jackson Guitars, Blackstar Amps
What are your plans for the rest of 2019?
We have a few gigs to do before Xmas, all around Scotland, then branching out playing a few festivals in 2020.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
For me (Gogsy) – Iron Maiden and Accept, no brainer! Just my two favourite bands, I never really get a chance to see often enough these days.
