LUST FOR LIFE

O2 ACADEMY BIRMINGHAM

The world of tribute bands is pretty crowded, but Lust For

Life stand above many, offering substantially more credibility points than most thanks to a line-up of musicians with a solid connection to the source.

Essentially a tribute to Iggy Pop’s 1977 solo album (and his second David Bowie collaboration) Lust For Life, at the centre of the band are guitarist Kevin Armstrong and Blondie’s rhythm section – drummer Clem Burke and bassist (and ex-Sex Pistol) Glen Matlock – all of whom have previously worked with Iggy. They’re joined by Luís Correia (an associate of Bowie guitarist Earl Slick and pal of Spandau’s Steve Norman) and keyboard player Florence Sabeva (from Heaven 17 and Earl Slick’s Station To Station tour), while taking the unenviable task of lead vocalist is Katie Puckrik. Yes, the former presenter from 1990’s TV series The Word, and the real unknown quantity tonight.

It takes a few tunes to get going, but with a crack band of musicians around her, Puckrik throws herself into the role with a twitching, sneering gusto.

She doesn’t try to copy Iggy, yet brings a drawl and attitude that’s hard to ignore. By the time The Passenger rolls in, it’s fair to say the singer – and former Pet Shop Boys dancer – has won over most doubters.

Once the album is finished, the setlist broadens slightly as Puckrik delivers an Iggy-flavoured China Girl and Armstrong steps up for Absolute Beginners. The guitarist – who played on third Bowie/Iggy collab Blah Blah Blah and with Tin Machine – recalls how he first got the call from David, and how the film-related song developed.

Further Bowie tunes follow, including a decent take on Station To Station’s Stay.

It’s not all perfect – Blondie hit Hanging On The Telephone and Matlock’s Pretty Vacant are a little bit loose – but side-stepping both parody and novelty, Lust For Life can’t help but induce a smile. All aboard for funtime. DF