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Joe Wadsack shares his musical likes as Skin Contact's Comic Relief gig is selling fast

Published:  13 February, 2015

We've met the band, the backing singers and plugged the concert enough to surely convince you to buy a ticket for wine band Skin Côntact's one-off concert on March 9 at London's Vinopolis to raise money for Comic Relief.

But if that has not been enough to cough up for this noble cause then how about introducing you to the musical likes and dislikes of the guest singers on the night. (If you do want to buy tickets then go here).

Yes, as well as the members of Skin Contact - namely Richard Hemming, Alex Hunt, Berkmann Wines, Ben Smith of Concha y Toro, Matt James, Bordeaux Cellar, Anne McHale MW of Berry Bros & Rudd and PR star, Helen Chesshire - there are a number of guest speakers taking part.

These include Anne Jones of Waitrose, Ewan Murray of the Wine Society, Lucy Britner, Square Meal and wine critic, David Williams.

But first up prepare to enter the weird and wonderful world of Joe Wadsack, the BBC's very own drinks maestro on Food and Drink.

Joe Wadsack:

So you're going to be fronting the greatest (and only) wine trade covers band of all time. How does that feel?

Amazing. I wish it was longer. Singing in front of a rock band is every boy's childhood dream, surely?

What was the first single and/or album you bought?

Single: Don't Go Greaking My Hheart by Elton John and Kiki Dee. Well I didn't so much buy it, as get given it. I played it incessantly, but then I was five. Hardly rock and roll, but the wedding was at Knebworth, so it counts.

Album: Out of the Blue by ELO Jeff Lynne was and is my musical hero, and always will be. There isn't an ELO track I don't know.

Who are your favourite musicians these days?

Crazy about new English rockers Royal Blood. Just two guys, Mike Kerr on bass and Ben Thatcher on drums, and they sound like a cross between T-Rex and Muse, f*** knows how.

Top three all-time classic albums?

So difficult. Just three. Umm. In no particular order...

Sign of the Times: Prince

The Queen is Dead: Smiths

Disraeli Gears: Cream

And your idea of musical purgatory?

Anything involving David f*****g Guetta.

What's been the most rock and roll moment of your life so far?

I have done quite a few rock and roll 'things', but the greatest 'muso' moment was when I was at Winchester College, and I was drumming in a band, aged 17, playing Bruce Hornsby and the Range's (or Tupac's) big hit "That's The Way It Is", when David Gilmour from Pink Floyd came on and started 'wailing axe'.

We should probably mention wine too, I suppose. What was the last wine you drank?

A 100% Treixadura from Ribeiro called The Flower and The Bee.

Any good?

Delicious.

Is there a particular wine you've always wanted to taste?

La Tâche 1938, Latour 1929, Margaux 1900, and Margaux '53 ("Vintage of the Century" says Withnail to Marwood in his eponymously titled film.) Alex Hunt and I will go halves if you can get us one.

How about your fall-back, failsafe bottle to crack open when you have guests?

At present, in this filthy weather, that has to be St. Cosme Côtes du Rhone 2012.

And what are your favourite Rhône appellations / producers? (the event is being sponsored by Cotes du Rhones wines, hence the plug!)

Chave Hermitage 1985 was very nearly the finest red I have ever drunk, but nearer to planet earth, I would say Vieux Donjon from Chateauneuf du Pape and Domaine St. Gayan from Gigondas, both from Yapp Brothers. They know their sh*t.

Finally, what's on your rider for backstage at Skin Côntact LIVE?

Chave Hermitage 1985. And Jack Daniels.

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