T.Rextasy

Welcome to the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow, where the audience seem a different breed of animal altogether. Or perhaps the audience transformation is due to the dynamic performance of T.Rextasy. Or perhaps it’s the Celtic blood of the Scots. Or perhaps it’s a combination of both!

Sunday nights, especially miserable rainy nights, never promise a huge audience turn-out but this theory could not have been be further from the truth! Yes, Danielz and his official Marc Bolan tribute band T.Rextasy managed to pack them in as they always do, and in no time the magnificent old-style variety theatre was crammed with fellow ‘Bolanites’ all here to boogie and to celebrate the music of Marc Bolan and T.Rex. And of course, the electric T.Rextasy!
Once the curtain (decorated with two huge theatrical masks) was lifted, the familiar backdrop of a star-spangled canvas and larger-than-life Bolan cut-out figures decorated the stage. Finally, the band turned up to much applause, fronted by Danielz who seemed delighted with the turnout and greeted the cheering crowd with ‘Hello Glasgow, it’s good to be back’, before the band blasted into ‘Raw Ramp / Electric Boogie’ and it only took a few chords before the fans (spanning the generation gap) got up and danced, some even ventured direction aisles to do that boogie thing properly – much to the irritation of the usherettes. This would turn out to be an on-going battle over the course of the evening… the more dancing fans (including yours truly) were told off the more they boogied. In the end the fed up usherettes simply gave up!
Next numbers followed quickly, as ever all of them a winner: ‘Debora’, ‘Rumbling Spires’, ‘Metal Guru’, and the whimsical story of the woman from ‘New York City’ with a frog in her hand.

Danielz was flanked by T.Rextasy regulars Neil Cross on rhythm guitar/backing vox, John Skelton on drums, and newcomer Rob Butterfield on bass guitar/backing vox.
To the delight of the audience the band performed a mini-acoustic set, including inspired versions of ‘Spaceball Ricochet’, ‘Cosmic Dancer’ and ‘Dreamy Lady’. The most special (and poignant) moment of the evening, however, was a special rendition of Ben E. King’s classic ‘Stand By Me’ which a visibly emotional Danielz dedicated to the all the victims of the Paris terror attack, but in particular to the victims of the massacre in the Bataclan theatre. During the song, the audience temporarily skipped the boogie shuffle in favour of a united stance where they held each other by the hands and sang along to the lyrics. A truly emotional if somewhat sad moment!
The first set ended with ‘One Inch Rock’, ‘Life’s A Gas’, ‘20th Century Boy’ and the ultimate T.Rex hymn ‘I Love To Boogie’ – and boogie they all did!

Set 2 kicked off with staples ‘Telegram Sam’, ‘Children Of The Revolution’, ‘Zip Gun Boogie’, the punchy ‘Groover’ and ‘Baby Boomerang’. As ever, Danielz delivered his usual stage frolics and simply awesome musical skills, grinding away on his lead guitar and leaving no one in doubt as to why he IS the perfect tribute to Bolan… musically, physically, mentally… you get the idea!
Ramones favourite ‘Solid Gold / Easy Action’ followed next, while some practical joker in the audience yelled for ‘White Swan’ – something he had already yelled for during the first set. Danielz’s calm response was, “Don’t be so impatient”!
After ‘Solid Gold’, Danielz announced one his favourite T.Rex songs “because I always liked those lyrics” and the band churned out the near iconic ‘Dandy In Underworld’. Indeed, once the lads had re-emerged from the realms of the underworld our impatient fan finally saw his wish granted and it was off to ‘Ride A White Swan’ – a number that clings to the image of Bolan like ivy to a wall.
There’s also an amusing little anecdote to tell on the side, namely when Danielz mentioned that none other than Steve Harley (ex-Cockney Rebel) was invited as a special guest to sing a duet on some of the songs… but he had to decline as he was performing with Rod Stewart. “Who’s Rod Stewart?” remarked Danielz jokingly, before getting himself into hot water by suggesting, “Rod only pretends to be oh so Scottish but he isn’t really”… a remark that some of the audience members didn’t find particularly amusing. Nonetheless, Danielz merely chuckled and seemed utterly unfazed by the reaction.

Now it was time for the last round, and boy did the band let rip! ‘Born To Boogie’ and ‘Jeepster’ were energetic to say the least, but it was during ‘Get It On’ that Danielz and Co. demonstrated their real effortless flair for ‘teamwork’. As ever during this number, Danielz delivered a kick-ass and extended guitar solo during which he worked his instrument with a tambourine – much to the thrills and cheers of the many fans!
Yes, of course there was an encore too, and that was the chirpy and upbeat ‘Hot Love’ during which the audience song along to the chorus and danced, danced, danced! And so another fabulous T.Rextasy gig came to an end during which the punters got everything (and more) they could possibly have asked for, while Danielz, Neil, John and impressive newcomer Rob demonstrated as to why the band just keeps on going and going and going!

(Please also read my T.Rextasy interview in the ‘INTERVIEWS’ section)