By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
With a line-up of Barry Glitter, Marsha Brady, Stevie Knievel, Bobby Dazzler and Mickey Blitz, it can be only one band: Geelong musical institution The Glitter Gang.
It’s G-town’s own interpretation of the era of glam rock’s glory days with its big heels, make-up, spacesuits, flares, brutish open chests and 747-wing collars.
The line-up over the years has contained names such as Sticky Stardust, Riff-Raff Rogey, Astro Macca, Bubbles LeBeau, The Fink, Johnny G-String, Dirk Diggler and Derek Delicious.
So it’s apparent the troupe doesn’t take itself too seriously.
“There’s some great modern music but sometimes it seems a little bit to serious,” original member Barry Glitter said.
“We take the music seriously but we don’t take performance side too seriously. It’s all a bit of fun.
“We enjoy the theatre of it, so it’s more to it than just putting out a few songs.”
The enduring appeal of the glam rock era sometimes amazed the band, he said.
“I suppose we generally appeal to an older crowd but we’ve got multi-generational crossovers these days.
“A lot of the songs have been used in movies and television shows, plus everything is so accessible via the internet now.
“If people are interested in a song or band they can find it. We couldn’t do that in the era of pub bands.”
The Glitter Gang will bring all its sparkle to the Friday night Southern Cross stage of Motor City Music Festival at Geelong Showgrounds.
The band will reprise the hits of ’70s icons such as The Sweet, KISS, ELO, Skyhooks, Status Quo, ABBA, Sherbet, Hot Chocolate and Gary Glitter.
But the Glitter Gang won’t have everything its own way, with some stiff competition from the likes of fellow glam rockers Wild Violet, USA outfit Miss Quincy and Sister’s Doll.
The third Motor City offers another top line-up of bands and solo performers from 11 to 13 March, turning the long weekend into a smorgasbord of 40 acts across five stages.
The great adult rock on Friday and Saturday will be complemented by blues and roots all weekend.
Family-friendly fun-day Sunday will be an ideal time to bring the kids, tweens, teens and grandparents for an all-ages family day featuring the fun of the showgrounds plus kids’ entertainment.
The festival weekend wraps up on Sunday night with a huge fireworks display at 8.45pm.
