Female family used to me wearing make-up
THIS week we talk to Ash Brookes of the KISS tribute Dressed To Kill, who will be appearing at the Tivoli, Buckley.
Q A
Tell us about your family
I’m blessed with a fantastic female- dominated family who put up with me wearing more make-up and higher heels than they do!
Q A
Tell us something about yourself
I spent most of my life up until the age of 41 in the East Midlands - adult life consisted of going to gigs and trying to look like a rock star; played in a few covers and originals bands in the late 80s, then started up Dressed To Kill when I was 22 – the rest is ‘KISStory’!
Q A
How would you describe your music? Well, I’ve been involved primarily trying to sound like someone else for the last 30 years. However, I’ve played in “originals” bands too over that time – my own music would be between Hard Rock/Metal and Grunge.
Q A
Do you have any gigs/ tours coming up Dressed To Kill – The KISS tribute band that I founded 29 years ago – plays The Tivoli, Buckley, on Sunday, August 25. It’s an all-ages show too, so people can bring their children along too!
Q A
What are you best known for?
Very probably for starting up, and playing in the world’s longest running tribute to KISS - Dressed To Kill.
Q AWhat can people expect from your gigs? Expect ALL the Excitement of a KISS live show – All the Hits and “Classics”, including “Crazy Crazy Nights”, “I was made
for lovin’ you”, “Detroit Rock City” and “God of Thunder” – the between-song chatter; all the make-up and costumes, and maybe even some bloodspitting and firebreathing!
Q A
Tell us five things which make your set great?
The songs, the replica costumes, the stage effects, the authentic instruments, the rock’n’ roll!
Q
Tell us what’s good about the venue
AThe Tivoli in Buckley is one of the best live venues in the UK – they have all kinds of bands there – upcoming original acts, long-established rock and pop acts, and a number of the UK’s TOP tribute bands.
Q A
What are your best and worst habits:
I don’t really have a ‘“best” habit - apparently I snore quite loudly so that might be a worst habit!
Q
Whose music are you listening to?
ANursery rhymes, Disney film scores, and children’s TV theme songs!
Q A
What are you most proud of musically?
Dressed To Kill’s two-week tour of Japan will endure as perhaps the most stunning – we’d been together just five years when we got a call to go to London and test shoot for promo for a projected Tribute tour of Japan, which then became a reality, and by June in 1996 we were playing a seven-date tour.
Q A
What are your up-and-coming plans with your career?
Not so much “up and coming”. I’m booking Dressed To Kill’s 2020 30th Anniversary tour at the moment – who knows, we might be back in the area at some point next year ......