Danielz - A musical biographical history through the associated world of Marc Bolan and T.Rex (part 2) 1992 - 2001

Whilst sitting in a bar in London in the summer of 1992, Danielz came up with the concept of forming a tribute band dedicated to Marc Bolan. "No one had yet formed a band dedicated solely to the music of Marc Bolan. I thought it would be a grand idea to put a talented group together on that basis before anyone came along portraying Bolan in an amateurish way, or in that terrible Stars-In-Their-Eyes fashion. I wanted people to remember, and to know what a great performer, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Bolan really was - so began the embryonic idea of T.Rextasy."

The first line-up was mainly just friends and fans, with the exception of a drummer by the name of Nigel Silk, who has remained with the band to this day Obviously if the band was to grow, then Danielz would have to surround himself with professionally minded people and with the ability of professionals. With an art of ruthlessness Danielz sacked band members throughout the first year until he was totally happy that he had formed what he would call the 'definitive' T.Rextasy.

From 1993 to the present day, Danielz and T.Rextasy have achieved more than their wildest dreams. From their debut gig in a tiny pub in Hackney called The Dove, they went on to play Every Arena in 8ritain with Gary Glitter, including Wembley Arena, Birmingham NEC, Glasgow and Aberdeen SECC, Sheffield Arena, Cardiff International Arena, and G-Mex Manchester, to name a few.

In 1994 T.Rextasy clinched their first album deal with the Dr & The Medics label 'Madman Records'. A single was released as a taster entitled 'Baby Factory' - it wasn't too rude for them to release! A great promo video was made for the single and was shown throughout the Japanese territory on numerous programmes. A Japanese tour was arranged in September 1995 whereby every date was a sellout, with Danielz promoting the album and tour dates on television and in press interviews. The band toured Japan yet again in 1996, playing amongst other venues the impressive 'Ariake Coliseum' in Tokyo, where over 2000 fans attended while the concert was filmed by NHK TV for posterity!

A return to Britain and over the next few years saw the band playing with just about everyone of Marc's contemporaries including shows with Roy Wood, Ian Hunter, Suzi Quatro, Alvin Stardust, Mud, Sweet, Slade, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Uriah Heep, Mungo Jerry, and so many others. The band were also asked to play with the likes of 'King Kurt' at the Astoria Theatre, London, and 'Dodgy' at the Phoenix Festival.

Concert promoters began booking the band on a very regular basis which still holds fast today. From playing the Britannia Music awards at Alexandra Palace, to playing corporate shows for the giant electronics games people Nintendo. I think Danielz must have lost count of the television and radio appearances he's made around the world, from acoustic performances on German and Japanese TV shows, to full blown T.Rextasy workouts on every British terrestrial television channel (and some cable too), not to mention the networks of Britain.

Even Japanese stars were getting in on the act when Tomoyasu Hotei, one of Japan's biggest stars, asked Danielz to sing on a track from his forthcoming album. Danielz went along to Abbey Road Studios for a day to lay down his vocals. The song was called 'Captain Rock'. The album, 'King and Queen' went straight to No.1 in Japan in 1996!

The summer of 1997 saw the release of Danielz and T.Rextasy's second CD album. Entitled 'Savage Beethoven', it's concept followed that of it's predecessor, in that it was an album of well known and lesser known Bolan tracks, and a couple of Danielz compositions entitled 'Village' (probably the most eerie track Danielz has ever written), and 'I Wouldn't Lie'. On hearing the album, Columbia Records in Japan took up the option of release and the album was released by one of the world's premier companies.

On 30 September 1997 Danielz, together with Mick Gray from the Cambridge Corn Exchange arranged a special commemorative show inviting all the old T. Rex members and associates to attend and play with T.Rextasy. Mickey Finn, Jack Green, Andy Ellison, Paul Fenton, Mick O'Halloran, Alphi O'Leary, Mickey Marmalade and others, all turned up for the event. Akima, a guitar star from Japan, travelled all the way from his homeland just to attend and play one number with the band! Even Rolan Bolan, Marc's son came on stage and sang 'Dreamy Lady' with Danielz - which was the very first time Rolan had ever sang on stage!!

Danielz has worked hard touring T.Rextasy around Germany, Japan, and Britain, and even the odd show in Denmark, and Marrakesh and has, in turn, gained the respect of those that surrounded Marc Bolan and those that knew him. Marc's wife June saw T.Rextasy live and was full of compliments, as Harry Feld, with Marc's brother too.

In May 1999 Danielz, along with wife Caron, and 6 friends, purchased the majority of the most important 2" and 1/4" multi-track tape recordings of Marc Bolan and T.Rex.

Later that year Danielz and Caron flew to Japan to arrange and negotiate a deal on the Teichiku Records label to enable them to release original Marc Bolan product, out of which came their first release in 2000 entitled 'Bump'n'Grind'. Their second release on the label was issued in June 2001 entitled 'Shadowhead'. All recordings were mixed by Danielz, with the help of Marc Arscott. They decided to call their company Thunderwing Productions Ltd., with the aim of releasing quality product only and to look after and preserve the works of Marc Bolan.

In January 2001, BBC1 television, after searching and considering around 2000 tribute bands, held a special one-off programme choosing only 6 of the best they had seen around Britain that play totally 'live'. The show was titled 'Battle of the Fantasy Bands'. T.Rextasy were chosen not only as one of the 6 to perform completely 'live', but were later voted as 'The Best Live Tribute Band In The UK Today!

Now, how can you follow that?

The story goes on .......

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