The Bad Examples are guitarist/singer Ralph Covert, guitarist/singer John Duich, bassist/singer Pickles Piekarski, and drummer-percussionist Terry Wathen.
Review
The Bad Examples are the Midwest's premiere club band. The band's showmanship and an invigorating energy help make the group popular, but it is the songwriting of the group's leader, Ralph Covert, that is the foundation of the band's successful 11-year stint.
This songwriting stud can just as easily pen a killer pop gem or a brutally honest ballad with an unforgettable melody. They have also received national and international recognition.
Several months ago, Billboard ran a feature story on the Bad Examples and the very talented Covert regarding them in high esteem. In 1991, the Bad Examples had three hits in Holland from their "Bad Is Beautiful" CD.
The Bad Examples latest release, "The Two Meter Sessions," is a live acoustic recording of the band's Jan. 9, 1992 performance on the Dutch national radio show "The Two Meter Sessions."
For the most part, the band sounds smooth, and you would never think this was their first time playing acoustically together and with rented instruments.
Impressed with Bad Examples playing, the host let them play 11 songs instead of the standard three tunes. Unbeknownst to him, they would release six years later this important moment in the band's career on CD.
Many songs on this live release are from the "Bad Is Beautiful" CD. The CD begins with a pleasant version [of] "Ashes Of My Heart." Covert's passion is contagious and the acoustic guitar solo is also pleasing. As they segue into "She Smiles Like Richard Nixon," you can sense the guys are thinking, "We can pull this off."
On "Long Drive Back To Madison," the late John Duich's delicate guitar licks and a few quiet moments dramatize...the song. Covert's emotionally heightened voice pushes the VU needles into the red on "Squeezing The Puzzle Together."
Covert's screaming on "Battle Hymn of the Repugnant" is reminiscent of Lennon's on "Cold Turkey." Duich's slide guitar gives "Promises In The Dark" a blues edge. Duich's version of Robert Johnson's "Kind Hearted Woman" gets a thumbs up from all the porch players. "Not Dead Yet" done acoustically does not lose any of its electricity.
Besides the fine music, "Two Meter Sessions" is a must have because of its fun reading. The CD booklet contains extensive liner notes from Ralph Covert detailing the band's European tour, which happened to be their first. Also, the CD booklet includes many photos and snapshots of the group on this historic trip. Covert is definitely a master storyteller. Bands and record companies could learn something from Waterdog Records and The Bad Examples.