Rapidly rising progressive hard rock five piece Touchstone was formed in 2003 by keyboard player Rob Cottingham and guitarist Adam J Hodgson. However it was the band’s second album Wintercoast that really put Touchstone on the map in 2009, with Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons featuring as a very special guest performing the prelude narration. The album was voted 4th best album of 2009 by PROG Magazine readers and by Classic Rock Magazine’s Geoff Barton in the Critics’ Choice.

In 2010 Touchstone opened the first ever High Voltage Festival in London’s Victoria Park and were one of the top bands of the weekend, playing alongside bands such as E.L.P, ZZ Top, Black Label Society among countless others. The band have toured worldwide including appearances at major festivals in the U.K., Poland and U.S.A, and have supported prog rock legends It Bites, Arena, Von Hertzen Brothers, Magenta, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliot’s‘ Down ‘n’ Outz’ band, and The Quireboys to name a few.

True to their name, the Von Hertzen Brothers are bonded by blood and this brotherly connection really shines through in the music. Formed initially as a project in 2000 in their hometown of Helsinki, they have since reached far and wide with their epic rock. Their 5th studio album, Nine Lives, was released in March 2013. The album was preceded by a new single and video – Flowers & Rust – released on Feb 4th, 2013.

Musically it is impossible to pigeonhole these brothers of rock. Although their music embraces so many unique rhythms and abstract scales, using traditional rock instruments makes it all approachable and intriguing. This blending of the familiar with the unfamiliar results in mishmash that somehow makes perfect sense. There are elements of classic rock bands in the bands music, yet it always feels fresh and modern.

Drawing lyrical influences from writers such as William Blake, classic Indian authors, the writings of the ancient mystics as well as contemporary playwrights, the songs originate from the deep yearning for freedom and peace of mind that the brothers feel. “von Hertzen” is German and means “from the heart

Tickets for Touchstone and Von Hertzen Brothers gig At Eric’s on October 26th are available from Eric’s Box office on 0151 2369994 or online at www.ericslive.com. Tickets are priced at £14.