From showstoppers to goth rock for The People’s Show Choir leader with alter ego
As one of The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) leaders, Liz Read seems more familiar with family-friendly musical numbers but her alter ego is banging out goth rock anthems at the weekend.
Talented musician Liz spends much of term time conducting TPSCs for South Birmingham, as well as Bearwood and Dorridge show choirs. Yet in her own time, she transforms into singer ‘LadyRex’, singing and playing keyboard in band Angels of Darkness.
The goth rock tribute band that performs 1980’s and 1990’s classics by everyone from The Cure to Siouxsie and the Banshees and Evanescence has become popular for live gigs across the Midlands as well as doing session work with other artists. Their next performance is at the Castle and Falcon in Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, on Friday(July 25).
Liz, aged 38, performs alongside Doctor Diabolus on guitar and vocals(real name David), G-Don on bass guitar and vocals(Jaidan) and Raven on drums(Rik). The band has also written a few songs of their own that they weave into their set.
“The band is called Angels of Darkness and we play goth rock hits,” said Liz, aka LadyRex. “It’s very different from what I do with The People’s Show Choirs.
“I joined the band about a year and a half ago and we’re trying to get more established.
“I sing on a lot of the tracks and play keys but we cover a lot of different sounds. Some of it was before my time but when I was growing up, I was always into goth songs and rock in general.”
Venues that Angels of Darkness has played to date include pub gigs like at The Old Star in Uttoxeter along with The River Rooms in Stourbridge and Watson Hall in Tewkesbury, which was in association with To Have And To Hold Records.
Liz added: “I get a nice balance with the TPO and TPSC as that is mainly music from the shows, film and TV. Although I’m not a huge musicals buff, I enjoy going to the West End to see them. It’s always nice to be playing music and I like doing something different with my voice.
“The set with Angels of Darkness is demanding. I have to sing low down and then much higher. It uses a lot of my range in different ways. Some songs are rocky and others are more powerful and I need a different expression. I have to pronounce and put out feeling with different techniques.
“Whereas with choral music, you have to get the vowels out and try and blend with other people.
“It all keeps me on my toes!”
