The Touchers

The Touchers
Pretty Baby

Catchy pop hooks tend to be most intriguing when they’re battered and unkempt. Keeping in line with that strategy, The Touchers manage to snare your attention with heart-wrenching melodies despite—and because of—their belligerent demeanor and sometimes neurotic delivery of shiny garage-punk rock.

In their newest release, the Bozeman-based band revels in dark, anthemic lyrics flooded by fast-as-hell guitar strumming. Vocalist Ben Spangler spits the lyrics out with the defiance of a scrapper just punched in the face, especially in songs like “Pig Has Gone Away,” where he spouts, “If you think the bad guys always lose, you got another thing comin.’”

The album’s darkness is counterweighted with smart-ass attitude, sharp wit and anguish about the state of the world, making it delectably ambiguous. Certain song titles, such as “Apes in Hell” and “Number of the Beast,” might trick you into thinking this is a death-metal album, but The Touchers present a little more like the Pixies and sound a lot like the frenzied rock ’n’ roll of Gaunt. It’s messy and indulging, good for a wild dance and worth sinking your teeth into. (Erika Fredrickson)

- Missoula Independent

Catchy and twangy, this band has old -time rock and roll, coubtry and psychobilly in its blood. Short simple and to-the-point, the songs have shades of uncle tupelo, X, and the Rev. Horton Heat. Not so steeped in one of the aforementioned genres, these songs appeal to me. Vocals often sway from scratchy abrasion to warm harmony, but they are neither too harsh nor too bubblegummy. With guitar drenched in reverb (think Dick Dale), the classic surf guitar sound is all over the songs, but they complement the
songs very well.

At 17 tracks this is too much of a good thing, but a very good thing regardless.
E.G
- Punk Planet #68

Touchers - The Underwater Fascist (Independently released CD, Rock)
The guys in Touchers represent the seedy underside of ski resort towns like Bozeman, Montana. While yuppy visitors are slipping down the slopes in their overpriced retard gear, these guys tuck themselves away in the background and play absolutely rip-roaring abrasive rock music (most likely to vent their frustrations about the yuppy visitors who are slipping down the slopes in their overpriced retard gear). The Underwater Fascist works. This self-recorded album succeeds because of the inherent sincerity of the delivery. Instead of trying to sound like the latest hipster band or drown their instruments and vocals in effects, these guys play like hell and just let the machine capture their sincere harsh energy. Fast, loose, and slightly trashy...these tracks are refreshingly effective. Top picks: "Aphrodite Has Gone Mad," "Country Killer," "77," "Fire When Ready." (We absolutely love the ad featuring sea monkeys who have been transformed into underwater fascists.) (Rating: 5 of 5) - babysue.com

The Touchers
The Underwater Fascist (4 stars)
Quite possibly one of the weirdest bands ever heard, The Touchers play manic and metal-tinged alt-country that's fun, unique and totally addicting. If you're a fan of strange music, this disc is a must. - Las Vegas Weekly