Strangetouch have a good feeling for future success

Apr 13 2011 Jonathan Sheridan, Airdrie & Coatbridge

STRANGETOUCH are an alternative rock band with a lot to offer.

The mature musicians, who spend their spare time rehearsing at Coatbridge’s Soundwave Studios, are as keen to write and perform now as they ever were – despite leaving their youth behind quite some time ago.

Founded in 2008 lead guitarist and vocalist Thomas McCallum (48), their main songwriter believes Strangetouch have developed into a formidable alternative rock outfit, he said: “Our return to making music, after a long break bringing up our families was inspired by our love of performing and playing.

“Rather than just doing cover songs, we decided to concentrate 100 percent on our own material right from the outset.”

Band founder Thomas is delighted with the progress they are making.

Coupled with the input of second vocalist Neil Stewart (48), who also plays guitar, and drummer Ken MacEachran (62), the result is a modern sound with a touch of the 80’s that sets them apart from their contemporaries.

Unlike many younger bands, the guys tend not to take life too seriously but have earned respect through their live performances.

Thomas added: “Ken’s wife has jokingly nicknamed him Zim Zimmerman. “We’ve shared bills with quite a few bands and had a lot of positive feedback, especially from younger musicians.

“So far, we’ve been well received by audiences at venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.

“The high point of our year so far was playing Quarriers live at Glasgow's G2 and being introduced by Jim Gellatly, a dj and newspaper columnist.”

Since releasing their debut EP, ‘Touched’, the band have added a number of new songs to their live set and an album is planned for the middle of this year.

Strangetouch are already looking forward to its release, Thomas added: “Our short-term plan is to record and produce the album, we hope to be ready with this around late summer.

“Long-term, well who knows as long as we work at producing quality music you never know what the future holds.”

Strangetouch have more than 20 songs already written and a few more to record as they work towards the debut album which, as yet, is untitled. Local artist Cheryl Corrie is working on the album artwork.

In the meantime their immediate priority is to recruit a reliable like-minded bass player.

The band have also written a track entitled “Black, White and Everything in Between” for a charity album which raises funds for Maggie’s Care Centres.

More information on Strangetouch can be found at: www.reverbnation.com/strangetouch