Here’s what the local press have to say about The Ultimate 80’s Tribute Party Band!
Express and Star Feature
This is the feature on the band that ran in the Tuesday 10th March edition of the Express and Star newspaper. It can be found on page 18.
It was the decade which belonged to pop giants like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Wham.
But 20 years on from the end of the 1980’s and one Black Country band is still reliving the era on stages around the region.
Kick up the 80’s was formed for a 21st birthday party in 1999 named after the tv show of the same name. It is still going strong today, propelling nostalgic party goers back to their youth at a time when Rubik’s Cubes were the latest craze and big shoulder pads were all the fashion.
The line up includes an estate agent, self employed decorator and two recruitment workers. But once they hit the stage the Midlands pals can transform themselves into anyone from Adam Ant to George Micheal or Freddie Mercury.
The act has proven a runaway succuess which is in demand on an almost weekly basis in and around the Midlands at gigs, weddings, corporate events and has even landed the four support slots with real legends of the 80’s such as Go West, Limahl of Kajagoogoo and ABC. Now the band is preparing to celebrate 10 years in the business with an anniversary gig next month.
Drummer Martin Dolman, a 39 year old decorator of Hartland Avenue, Coseley said: “It originally started as a way of funding our originals band but then it grew into a monster and took off.
“The idea of the whole thing is not to take ourselves too seriously and people can come to the gigs and just have a laugh”.
“We have about 150 songs in the repetoire now from around 60 artists, but we are always adding to it whenever we hear something on the radio and think it would sound good in the set”
The other members of kick up the 80’s are: Guitarist Rob James, aged 41 of Stadium Close, Willenhall; singer and keyboard player Justin Hyde, aged 38, of Highgrove Place, Dudley and bass guitarist Dean Lathbury, aged 41, of Rochester Way, Cannock.
The band perform an extensive list of 80’s favourites and go through a string of costume changes with tongue-in-cheek guest appearances from those like Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson.
Having played the circuit many times over as Kick Up The 80’s, including a five year long, new year’s eve slot at the Robin R ‘N’ B club in Bilston, the band is planning a 10th anniversary gig at the Mount Pleasant venue on April 4.
The popular covers group have also now launched a follow up act called Big Up The 90’s covering all the hits from boy bands to brit pop via girl power.
Britney Spears, Oasis and The Spice Girls hits will feature.
“We grew up in the 80’s and were out on the town in the 90’s so we have both eras covered.” added Mr Dolman.
For a list of gigs visit www.kickupthe80s.co.uk and www.bigupthe90s.co.uk
COURTESY OF BEN LAMMAS AND THE EXPRESS AND STAR NEWSPAPER.
Turning back the clock to the 80s at Bilston’s Robin 2
