Dig out your glam rags, funky flares, and glitter at the ready, for T.Rextasy, the ultimate tribute band to Marc Bolan & T.Rex are about to hit Worcester.

T-Rextasy are not to be mistaken for any of the current cabaret style bands that don wigs just for their shows, because this four-piece band look like the people they are impersonating, on and off stage.

They have even gained the respect of Marc Bolan's contemporaries, and have been accepted on tour with big 70s names such as The Sweet, Roy Wood, Slade and Status Quo.

"A lot of tribute bands don't look anything like the people they're impersonating when they come off stage," says Danielz, the band's singer and guitarist who impersonates Marc Bolan.

"We look the same on stage and off stage, though I don't wear clothes to that extent off stage."

The band, who are continuously gigging, will have been together for 12 years this September.

Aside from Danielz, the band consists of Neil Cross on rhythm guitar, Paul Marks on bass and Nigel Silk on drums.

It was through his love of Marc Bolan's music, that Danielz discovered other great artists such as Bob Dylan.

"I got into Bob Dylan because I used to read Marc's interviews," says Danielz.

"When you're growing up you want to know who these people are."

Danielz has been in the music business since the early 80s.

He has tried his hand at song writing, management deals, and production deals to name but a few.

Danielz says the great thing about T.Rextasy's shows are that a new generation is being introduced to the band and Marc Bolan.

"Fathers and mothers are coming along to the show and they are bringing their children to let them know what the fuss was all about," says Danielz.

"The fantastic thing is because the children are not the same generation as them, they become T.Rextasy fans, as well as getting into Marc Bolan's music."

In fact, when T.Rextasy put on a show in 1997, they even got some of the T.Rex original members up on stage with them, including Rolan, Marc's son.

"We had people come up to us afterwards and say it was a tremendous show," says Danielz.

When the band play Huntingdon Hall, CrownGate, Worcester, on Friday, July 16, they will be including plenty of T.Rex's top 20 hits such as 20th Century Boy, Children of the Revolution and Telegram Sam.

At Huntingdon Hall the band will firstly play an acoustic set, then an electric set.

Tickets for the Huntingdon Hall show are £14, or £13 concessions.

For tickets, ring the box office on 01905 611427.

Grab the sound of Aussie musicians

IF you fancy a taste of Australia, but your workplace won't give you the time off to go, then come along to the Marr's Bar on Saturday, July 17.

Loonaloop who originally hail from the shores of Bondi Beach will be bringing a little taste of Oz to the Faithful City.

The five-piece live electronic dance band, consists of three girls, who play didgeridoo and violin, and two guys on electronic drums, bass and programming.

On their journey so far, they have performed at festivals around the globe including, Holland, Australia and the Czech Republic.

They are continuing to tour throughout Europe this year.

They will be playing material from their debut album called Cleared 4 take off, when they come to Worcester's Marr's Bar in Pierpoint Street.

For more information about the band access their website on www.loonaloop.net

Parker'sworld is growing

IAN Parker has caused quite a stir among other musicians.

He was noticed by Eric Clapton when he opened a show for the legend in London in December 2002 and 2003.

He has also worked alongside respected musicians Walter Trout and Jeff Beck.

In fact, it was thanks to blues artist Walter Trout that Ian got his current record deal with Ruf Records in Germany.

"A few years ago I supported Walter when I was playing at the Robin Hood," says Ian.

"He watched my show, liked what I was doing, and said he was going to tell his record company Ruf Records about me, and that's how it started."

Ian from Stourbridge has been signed to Ruf Records for the past year.

The rest of his band consist of Morg Morgan on keyboards, Steve Amadeo on bass, and Wayne Proctor on drums.

Ian recently appeared on Rockpalast, a music show in Germany, where he played for around 75 minutes.

His footage from the show is now set to be released on DVD later this year.

"When I first started playing, I considered myself to be a blues musician, but over the last few years I have developed more and more original material," he says.

Catch Ian and his band at Worcester's Marr's Bar, Pierpoint Street, tomorrow.