What the press say... (click on a clipping)

STOURBRIDGE CHRONICLE

Lookalikes and soundalikes
Charlotte White reflects on the world of tribute bands

SPENDING your spare time dressed-up as a clone of your Favourite pop star may seem the preserve of pre-teen girls, but for the legions of tribute bands that have sprung up around the country it's a way of life, and a lucrative one by all accounts.
Rather than trusting your home-penned compositions to the kindness of strangers these bands rely on the tried and tested favorites of yesteryear and if they pitch their product right are almost guaranteed a ready made audience.
The Black Country has a surprising number of tribute bands on the scene from Bon Jovi tribute New Jersey, Mentallica, The Next Pistols, and Snakebite (Whitesnake), to Stone Roses impersonators Fools Gold and Buddy Holly sound-a-likes Not Fade Away.
Many tribute bands seem to be catering for disenchanted rock fans, but Stourbridge based Into The Bleach reproduce the high energy eighties pop of Blondie and are in great demand up and down the country. Debbie Harry look-a-like and front woman Sam has been a fan of the American band since she was eight and despite never being in another band decided to form Into the Bleach three years ago and they have since toured in Ireland and Spain and the length of Britain and hope to visit Bahrain in the Summer. "Debbie was the one who started it for Madonna and the other women in pop" said Sam. "Blondie made a lot of music which people recognise and still love. I think they were severely underrated." Sam's devotion to her idol means she sports Debbie's trademark white blonde hair with a dark wedge at the back and this in itself causes a few problems. "I have had a few problems a couple of times with people actually thinking I was Debbie, which is very flattering to Debbie as she's now 53 and I am 25. But I have made a lot of friends and I love being in the band. I can't imagine being in another band. I think the best tributes have to be the ones done with love, by fans"

REVIEWS - The Half Time Orange, Leicester

Having been a great Blondie fan since she first hit the big time with 'Denis' back in the seventies when I was a testosterone-driven teenager, my expectations of this gig were unfairly high. I was not disappointed. On the contrary, the band, the music, the look, and the atmosphere at the Half Time Orange that evening were everything I could have wished for. Most of all the place oozed fun. Everybody was having some; me, the Bar Staff, the crowd, and particularly the band. And particularly Sam, the lead singer whose awesome task it was to follow in the footsteps of the 80's icon (and mine) of pop. But she pulled it off, with the sexy pout and flamboyant style of the original all present, and some.
Every song played was a classic from the melodic 'Tide is High' to the more energetic and raunchy 'One Way or Another' my personal favourite.
The group were tight and very talented, with all the right notes being hit in all the right places. The least we should expect, I here you say, and I agree, but it's surprising how many bands fail to deliver this basic right of aural senses.
Sam and the band finished off with a few songs from No Doubt and Republica, which was a great unexpected bonus and by this time the whole place was up and bopping, cheering for more as the band took their bow and exited, stage right. The hoped - for encore was greeted with rapturous delight, but this aging ex- punk rocker had to sit it out and have a fag to bump start the lungs before my already wobbly legs gave way completely and I ended up on the floor cross - eyed and dribbling.
Afterwards, when I could breathe again, I congratulated Sam and the boys on a great performance. "Thanks, glad you enjoyed it" she said smiling broadly. Chatting to the band, their sense of fun and enthusiasm shown earlier on the stage came through whilst stood at the bar. " We just love Blondie and love doing the show" Sam added.
Me too Sam, me too...

Iggy Von Ping Pong

Peroxide Perfection Robin R'N' B Club, Brierley Hill

The pouting peroxide queen and her mob of manic musicians returned to the Robin with a new set and even sparkler costumes.
New Wave goddess Debbie Harry, alias Stourbridge's own Sam H, sang to a larger crowd than at Christmas time.
Sam and the chaps treated us to the familiar feast of stunning fun and soaraway songs- with a pair of inflatable parrots for good measure.
Besides Blondie favourites like Sunday Girl, Denis and the wondrous Atomic, other songs included I Want That Man from Debbie's late 80's comeback period.
Raw edged support act Flamin' June merit a mention for their Fagin - like singer's guttural vocals and imaginative lyrics on subjects from prison to paranoia.
With both bands on top form, this concert could not fail. Leigh Rowley.