Festa: Thin White Dukes: David Bowie Tribute

Festa: Thin White Dukes: David Bowie Tribute

TranceMission rocks out the dark side of the 80’s, with a lot of Bowie thrown into the mix, and has built something of a cult following in Newcastle.

The line-up is Michael Cossettini on guitar, Paul Cossettini on bass, Ian Harrower on drums, Capree Gaul on keyboard and Karl Richardson on vocals.

The band had gigged under the name Subdivision for about eight years before a name change about two years ago which coincided with a decision to do a David Bowie set. Soon after Gaul joined the band broadening it’s Bowie palette.

“We were basically an 80’s cover band,” Richardson said.

Typically a TranceMission gig will see the band play two sets. The first will feature songs from the 80’s with an onus on alternative/ indie rock, such as Iggy Pop, Joy Division, Gary Numan, The Psychedelic Furs and Devo.

“It’s pretty broad, but there is a UK slant,” Richardson said.

“It’s the music that affected us in the 80’s; the music that made us want to be in a band.”

The second part of the gig is the Bowie set which includes songs from each Bowie phase as well as some of the commercial hits from the 80’s, such as Modern Love and China Girl.

“There’s Starman, Ziggy [Stardust], the Thin White Duke,” Richardson said.

TranceMission does straight takes of the music it covers.

“They are pretty much authentic, sticking to the authentic sound. We try to do the songs justice,” Richardson said.

“Everyone is very focused on getting it right.”

“I think faithful interpretations of the songs is what gets people along [to the gigs].”

Richardson is renowned for his ability to sound just like the singers he covers, although he doesn't consider himself to be a singer as such.

“I’m a mimic...I enjoy being able to get the little inflections,” he said.

“I pay particular attention to getting Bowie down pat.”

“I have always been a little uncomfortable with my own voice.”

TranceMission draws good crowds each time they play.

“We rarely get a dud crowd,” Richardson said.

“When we play we try to make it an event.”

The Cossettini brothers and Richardson have had a long musical association going back to the band Bark, which were contemporaries with Housequake, The Goddards and the Hipslingers.

Gaul played in 80’s band Koo De Tah, which had a hit with the song Too Young for Promises.