Old Friends
The Diamond is famed for its ongoing love affair with live music as they offer an ongoing menu of new, upcoming and established bands throughout the week. With a 200 plus capacity they strive to supply a diverse mix of quality rock music to suit all generations.
Saturday at the Diamond is synonymous with quality tributes but tonight’s accolade is to an entire genre of music, fashion, style and class from the early 1970’s. Glam Rock was spurned from the post hippie ideals as a reaction to the over indulgence which had driven out of control. It took the excesses and moved to the next level as trousers became wider and heels became higher.
Ballroom Glitz create hard driven rock of an era without pretension, with a theatrical smile, a camp swagger and a good-time groove. Glam was never something to be discussed in “cool” circles; it was a movement for the people and to look back at old photographs you may well see your grandfather wearing a tie as wide and bright as Noddie Holder’s nose whilst kitted out in what appears to be someone else’s hair! Everyone was “getting it on” because there is everything to love about Glam Rock’s good time groove.
Blitz give us a history lesson which runs from 1970 to 1976 and remind us that without glam we would loose a whole sub-genre of heavy metal. Punk Rock would have been darker, new romantics wouldn’t have had the need to be new. Robert Smith would wear less make-up and Marylin Manson would be somebody else.
It’s all dega vu – even if you missed the era you’ve heard it all before. The singer is an ex landlady back with enlightenment and a bright blue wig. On bass is an old compadre who’s time would be best spend playing classics at a party. The drummer is playing low key but what the hell, it’s Saturday night and we’re all wearing make-up, flares and wigs. Perfectly clad and through vintage gear they recreate a historic sound with classics from Slade, Bowie, The Sweet, Marc Bolan and T-Rex.
When an old friend like Glam Rock comes to visit we should greet them with a smile, put on our dancing shoes and forget about who we are. Whether you’re looking for nostalgia, inspiration or simply a good time, look to Glam Rock and you’ll realize it had never gone away.
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