A Bad Influence: The Gritty Heart of Modern Garage Rock
A Bad Influence is a garage rock band from Manchester, England, known for their raw energy and hook-laden songwriting. Their major label debut album, Chemical Reactions, charted in the UK Top 40 in 2018 and propelled them to the forefront of the British rock revival.
Early career
Formed in 2012, the quartet of vocalist/guitarist Liam Vance, guitarist Samir Khan, bassist Holly Dean, and drummer Connor "CJ" Jones cut their teeth in Manchester's dense network of basement venues and pub backrooms. Their self-released 2014 EP, Static Patterns, sold out its initial vinyl pressing and caught the attention of several independent labels, leading to a deal with the UK indie powerhouse Rough Echoes Records in 2015.
Breakthrough
The band's breakthrough arrived in 2017 with the single Neon Fever, which became a staple on BBC Radio 1's Rock Show and alternative rock radio stations. This momentum set the stage for their 2018 debut album Chemical Reactions on Rough Echoes, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number 32 and was later certified Silver for over 60,000 copies sold.
Key tracks
Neon Fever — This 2017 single broke the band nationally with its driving riff and became their first charting track on the UK Rock & Metal Chart.
Chemical Reactions — The title track from their debut album showcases their signature blend of fuzzed-out guitars and anthemic, shout-along choruses.
Blackout Weekend — A fan-favorite live track known for its breakneck pace and chaotic energy, often closing their sets.
Signal Fade — This 2020 single marked a slight shift towards more melodic, atmospheric songwriting while retaining their garage rock core.
Echo Chamber — Featured on the soundtrack to the video game *F1 2021*, introducing their music to a wider, international audience.
Following their debut's success, A Bad Influence toured extensively across Europe and supported The Libertines on their 2019 UK arena tour. Their sophomore album, 2021's Feedback Loop, was self-produced and embraced a rawer, more immediate sound, debuting at number 28 on the UK chart. The band has collaborated with producers like Cenzo Townshend and contributed a cover of The Stooges' Search and Destroy to a charity compilation in 2022.
Fans of A Bad Influence's brand of energetic, guitar-driven rock often seek out similar acts. The Sherlocks share a similar foundation in anthemic, northern English indie-rock. The Magic Gang offer a more melodic, power-pop take on the UK guitar band format. Yard Act merges post-punk with a sharp, narrative lyrical style that resonates with A Bad Influence's observational edge. The Chameleons represent a foundational Manchester influence with their textured, atmospheric guitar work.
The music of A Bad Influence maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on alternative rock radio stations and dedicated online rock radio streams. Their hits from Chemical Reactions are fixtures on classic rock FM stations that feature modern rock, while their newer material is championed by independent music radio stations focused on emerging guitar acts.
Listeners can discover the gritty garage rock of A Bad Influence by tuning into the many radio stations featured on our website. Their discography, from early singles to latest albums, is regularly played on radio stations available on onairium.com.
