To ask whether T.Rextasy is your average tribute band is akin to asking “Did you ever see a woman coming out of New York City with a frog in her hand?” For T.Rextasy, fronted by flamboyant Marc Bolan look-alike Danielz, is far more than your average tribute band. They are, in fact, the world’s ONLY official tribute band to T.Rex and a very respected glam-rock band in their own right who don’t just blindly cover Bolan’s songs, but add their own touch to it. In addition, the band has released several albums.

Formed by Danielz in 1992, T.Rextasy has since gained a cult following and the respect of numerous high profile personalities within the music biz. Amongst them is iconic producer Tony Visconti as well as Blondie drummer Clem Burke, both with whom the band played at a NY celebratory concert for Bolan, and some years later with Visconti again at the 100 Club.
The band furthermore played with Cockney Rebel, Ian Hunter, Ray Dorset, Uriah Heep and a whole rockin’ bunch more. In addition, they were invited to perform at the premiere party for the 2000 movie Billy Elliot which features ‘I love to Boogie’. In 2006, BBC-TV filmed the band for a special Arena program, including an interview with Danielz. And so it goes on.

No, T.Rextasy is certainly not your average tribute band! Last Friday (17th Sept.) was further proof when the band played a Marc Bolan Commemorative Anniversary Concert (Bolan died in a car crash on the night of 16th September 1977).
Young and old flocked to the venue, all glam’d up and ready to boogie on a Friday night. After some delay, the band finally took to the stage and was welcomed with rapturous applause. Danielz - sporting Anello & Davide tap shoes (as worn by Marc), green satin flares and an obligatory feather boa - kicked into action with ‘Jupiter Liar’ from the ‘Futuristic Dragon’ LP. Next were ‘Born To Boogie’ and ‘Debora’, which was followed by Danielz greeting his fans and letting them know how great it is to be back, joking that slowly but surely he’s running out of anecdotes as he has played this venue so often. Then he got slightly emotional, pondering over the fact that Marc Bolan had died 33 years ago. “Is it really 33 years?” he addressed the audience with disbelief in his voice. “Is it really that long ago? It feels like only yesterday… Or maybe it’s just me getting old…”

After his little speech, things turned upbeat again with the T.Rex classics ‘20th Century Boy’, ‘Dandy In the Underworld’ and ‘The Groover’, to which the fans sang along. What is truly astonishing while observing Danielz on stage is not only his physical resemblance to Bolan but also his entire body moves – he really has the cosmic pixie down to a tee. As for the voice, that’s even more similar to Bolan than the physical resemblance, really, one can see and hear as to why T.Rextasy are such a popular act!

It doesn’t stop here, though. The entire band (that’s Neil Cross on rhythm guitar, Paul Marks on bass and John Skelton on drums) are damn fine musicians who obviously are having a ball with it all. As for Danielz, he sure knows how to work his instruments to max effect – adding that extra rockin’ touch to the repertoire.

Further numbers included ‘Teenage Dream’, ‘Solid Gold’ and ‘Truck On Tyke’ – then it was time to introduce the evening’s special guest, singer and songwriter Linda Lewis. Linda is probably best known for her 70’s hit singles ‘Rock-a-Doodle-Doo’ and ‘Sideway Shuffle’, as well as her fusion music that blends folk, ska, funk rock and soul. Oh, and back in the old days she also happened to share a pad with Marc Bolan, so there’s the connection. On this occasion, however, she shared the stage with T.Rextasy, gloriously belting out ‘Children Of The Revolution’, ‘Metal Guru’ and ‘Telegram Sam’ in an energy-driven duet with Danielz. Bolan would have been proud! The crowd went rextatic and once again sang along to ‘Telegram Sam’, there was a real party vibe going on.

Exit Linda Lewis and it was just the band again, churning out favourites like ‘One Inch Rock’ and the staple ‘Ride A White Swan’. In between, Danielz asked how many in the audience remembered ‘The Marc Show’ and was seemingly disappointed when only about six hands were raised.
What followed next was one of the highlights of the night and gosh, there were so many already. ‘Jeepster’ received an extensive (and extended) rock infusion that added edge and snarling attitude to the original version, with Danielz drifting into elaborate guitar solos while kicking, swirling and bouncing about stage. Talk about Electric Warrior!
Better still, at some point he played the strings, no, not with his fingers nor with his tongue, but with a tambourine. Call me impressed, for not only did it look cool but it sounded cool, too!

What a climax, but the crowd didn’t accept the party had come to an end and demanded the first encore. Of course, they got it with ‘I Love to Boogie’. When the band tuned into ‘Get It On’ the fans really got off and danced along until Danielz thanked everyone for coming and waved goodbye. It wasn’t a very long goodbye, thanks to the fans yelling for more, more, more. And more they got again, this time with Danielz treating his fans to a beautiful and mellow ‘Spaceball Ricochet’ and ‘Life’s A Gas’. However, even the most glamtastic party must eventually come to an end and so for the final number, ‘Hot Love’, special guest Linda Lewis was welcomed back onto stage. It might have been the final song but it felt like another extended party piece, with every musician giving it their all. How we loved the way they twitched, a-ha-ha….