iOTA

iOTA is a force to be reckoned with! Fresh from his astonishing triumph in the revival of Hedwig (returning soon), this irrepressible, versatile, archetypal rock 'n' roll animal strode, proudly, even defiantly, onto the confined stage of The Vanguard, to strut his considerable stuff, with all the swagger of Jagger and something of the innovative energy and effete stylistic unpredictability of iconic bedfellow Bowie. Indeed, iOTA is a veritable Ziggy, a creation, a persona, that, while inspired by direct, firsthand life experience, is somehow a little larger than life; somehow outside himself, in a parallel psychic universe.

iOTA would probably describe the foregoing as a wank, and he'd probably be right. The business end of the (late) evening was the launch of his new album,Beauty Queen of The Sea; which, in truth, has been available since October 14. It's his 4th studio extravaganza, one already acclaimed by people who should know. I'm not sure which came first, the chicken, or the egg, but, either way, the project has delivered an extraordinary band: the quiet, but efficacious Mark Axiak on guitar; the equally, if not even more, recessive Andy Sharp, on bass; and powerhouse Church drummer, Tim Powles (also responsible for recording and producing the latest album). Including the acoustic dexterity of iOTA himself, this is a fearless, and fearsome, outfit; not to mention snug fit.

iOTA himself is unafraid to bend gender, or genre, moving from veritable heavy metal to heart-rending ballad without the merest compunction. You can't take your eyes or ears off him. He has an utterly compelling, disarming directness, as in 'The Girl, Who Killed The Girl, Who Tried To Kill The Boy', a true-to-life, but uncompromisingly tough, tell it like it is tale of the demise of his friend, Katy.

By way of contrast, one quite simply rocks out to 'Handle On It'.All his songs have the clear, sharp, yet never shrill ring of sincerity and authenticity. Always moving faster than any scene, he'll be the one zagging when, it seems, everyone else is zigging.

Along with all the above, and his commanding vocals, that's what makes him so fucking great!

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