Tribute Bands for Hire in Northumberland, North of England

The historic Goat pub in Sopwell Lane, St Albans, was packed to capacity. Some had come for the Manager's 60th birthday but many more were there to see the brilliant Phil Murray's Diamond Dogz. This three-piece outfit -- comprising Phil on vocals and lead guitar, Stuart Butt on bass and Chris Peters on drums -- are one of the best David Bowie tribute bands in the country. As he stands under a spotlight performing the Thin White Duke's classic ballad Life On Mars you could easily be watching the real Mr Bowie on stage such is the top-quality of Phil's voice and his physical resemblance to the great man. The Bowie hits come thick and fast -- The Jean Genie, Starman, Ziggy Stardust, Space Oddity, Rebel Rebel -- and the audience lapped them up. The band recreate the Bowie sound extremely well but add in their musical twists. Other popular 'covers' they performed included John I'm Only Dancing (which was mixed in with a bit of Tiger Feet), Suffragette City, All The Young Dudes, Moonage ...Daydream, Hang On To Yourself and Drive In Saturday. Although sticking to mainly Bowie material (which suited me just fine) the trio tackled also some 1970's glam rock hits like the Sweet's Fox On The Run and Blockbuster and T-Rex's 20th Century Boy. This was a fantastic two-set show and I cannot wait to see them again. Phil is so widely respected in the music business that he can be heard on two tracks on the recently-released 3 CD compilation The Many Faces Of David Bowie. Phil was in a band with former Spider Of Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey and he wrote the song Oo La La and he performed on the track U-Boat which was released as a single in Germany. Quite rightly Phil is proud that he is on an album with such illustrious company as Iggy Pop, Mick Ronson, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Mr Bowie himself. Search out this fabulous CD set and do try see the Dogz when they come baying your way. COLIN FENN, DJ/Freelance Journalist Read More