BADism

GLAM,GLAM,GLAM, oh yeah, and a bit more glam with a touch of sparkle. I first saw GLITTERBUG by an off chance-not so much dragged, but persuaded to go and see them by a friend at Camden's legendary !? Monarch Club. I think the expression is "BLIMEY!"Possibly the best way to describe GLITTERBUG is "in yer face, punky, poppy, spangley, sparkly, sexy rock. They come across so well live,-enthusiastic, full of energy, personal as well, loads of eye contact with the audience. You can guarantee that you'll be buzzin' when you come out."

Halfway through the first song, I knew that we had to have GLITTERBUG in the fanzine. So here they are! GLITTERBUG are a four piece band based in London. They've been together for about, well it depends on who you ask-10 minutes, a year and a half, two, even two and a half years. Things are going well at the moment, they've a lot of record company people chasing them, it shouldn't be too long before you hear them on your radio.

"We'd like to make as many records and as much money as humanly possible!" exclaims lead singer Leighton. Well why not?

Leighton himself is doing his musical apprentice-ship on the dole.

"Yeah," butts in guitar man Richie "We've paid our dues - now it's time for a rebate!"

How did the band get together?

Leighton-O.K. Once upon a time a long time ago in a land far, far away, I was working with a producer who wanted to build this manufactured group first of all he enlisted Tim(bass). He begged to be in the band and I had to let him in. Then we put an advert in Melody Maker asking for "cool young stars". This is where Richie came on board, so we all joined together and told this producer to piss off as we didn't want to be told what to wear, what to do, or how to sound. A couple of line-up changes later, Steve(drums), a friend of Richie's from way back joined the group, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Then it was time to start slagging people off, our favourite part of interviews- sod the constructive criticism. The conversation, for no apparent reason moves onto Oasis.

Richie- Me and Steve were at Oasis's first ever London gig at the Water Rats. I thought they were a third rate T-Rex covers band, so I went into the other bar after the first tune and missed the rest of the set.

Steve - So you wouldn't have signed them then?

Richie- No, I wouldn't.

Leighton- Well that would have been a huge fuckin' mistake, eh?

Richie- Yeah, but all I could see at that point in time was an average pub rock band with a lot of followers- kinda like Chas and Dave with loud guitars!

Carrying on with the slagging & Graham Norton was next to get it, then Jim Davidson, Michael Barrymore, Peter Stringfellow, Gazza, and The Crankies.

Leighton- There is nothing wrong with a 50 year old woman dressing up like a small boy! The list went on and on.

Just before the end of the interview Leighton suddenly goes into a panic. He has just remembered that he brought a sarong with him to wear on stage, but he forgot to bring any pants with him and he wasn't wearing any. The next 5 minutes was spent trying to scrounge a clean pair off another band member.

Leighton and Tim start going on about the travesty of "THE AVENGERS" movie.

Leighton- How on earth could they have cast Uma Thurman!? They should've got Emma Thompson or Catherine Zeta-Jones. I could've been Steed, I could even have been Emma Peel! I look great in a catsuit!

I think maybe we should leave it on that point. GLITTERBUG are definitely one of the best live bands on the circuit at the moment. If you get the opportunity, check them out, but be ready to let your hair down and maybe even lose a few pieces of clothing!