The Pink Diamond Revue

It’s fair to say that these guys are unique and once seen, never forgotten. Eccentric? Positively! Captivating? Affirmative! Enjoyable? Definitely! 

It’s fair to say that The Pink Diamond Revue an electro-amalgam of 1987-89 ‘Music For The Masses’ era Depeche Mode; the electro-psych vibe of TVAM; ‘Peter Gunn’ flavour Art Of Noise; the sound and poses of Sigue Sigue Sputnik and lashings and lashings of Sheep On Drugs imagery and sounds that the likes of Marc Almond would adore. 

The Pink Diamond Revue line-up consists of two contrasting guys fronted by the top half of a female mannequin known as AciD dol, that they may or may not be obsessed with! 

We have the London and Reading based, smartly suited, gum chewing, distant-vacant staring, guy liner wearing, chisel-edged featured ‘Thin White Duke’ era Bowie lookalike in the form of guitarist Tim Lane, and he is accompanied by Reading based t-shirted drummer Rob Courtman Stock. Clearly there is a Pet Shop Boys or Soft Cell type of clashing personalities going on here, with one being extroverted (in the style of Neil Tennant and Marc Almond) and the other introverted (Chris Lowe and Dave Ball). 

Tonight, during their 37 minute set, which was backed by a stream of images projected onto the backdrop, Rob constantly drummed away with his red fanned drumsticks in the background, whilst AciD dol (who even has a song named after her) and Duane Eddy style guitarist Time Lane, took front of the stage. They were both animated, one with the assistance of the other. One had absorbed the essence of mid 70’s David Bowie meets Martin Fry (ABC) with guyliner at a tattoo parlour, and the other donned shades and hats and moved via the assistance end of the head of the guitar.

There was no need for a microphone, as there were no lyrics, just an onslaught of guitar riffs that Neil X (Sigue Sigue Sputnik) would have been proud of. The only spoken material emanated from the cut ups that ran with the electronic backing. You can see what I mean by enjoying one of my fave tracks on the set, the all too brief ‘Go Go Girl’ – watch the official video of the track HERE. Also of note were ‘Miss Lonely Hearts’ and ‘At The Discotheque’. In fact there wasn’t a dud track in their whole set. There was no interaction with those watching at home. The Pink Diamond Revue simply let their music do the talking. 

 A very enjoyable nine song set this evening. I would see them again live at the drop of a hat as they are currently one of my favourite bands!

By : Nick Linazasoro  Brighton & Hove News

ONE THOUGHT ON “UNCOVERS 2ND BIRTHDAY @ INDEPENDENT VENUE WEEK”    February 2019

What do you get if you combine Independent Venue Week with Uncovers 2nd birthday celebrations? An eccentric, unique evening of live music at The Marrs Bar, that’s what!

Headline act of the night was The Pink Diamond Revue. A three piece band fronted by a genuine mannequin, Acid Dol – “a model from another dimension”. The human members of the band were in the form of a visually eccentric guitarist and a drummer who literally took a back seat at the back of the stage. The guitarist stole the show, in his gold suit, gold eye shadow and gold guitar strap- you’d be forgiven for thinking a Bowie tribute was about to perform-  relentlessly strummed from one song to the next, teasing the mannequin with the end of his guitar front and centre of the stage. The mannequin, diva-esque with her presence, changed head gear throughout the set, and at one point was joined by Booby from Legpuppy for an intimate dance. Something that has to be seen to be believed, a little delving on Youtube will deliver the evidence. A musical Electro/ Dance/ Psych journey with vocal samples and powerful guitar riffs delivered over hypnotic drum beats produced a fitting end to the most eclectic Uncover night I’ve attended to date.