THE DAYGLO PIRATES. Comments and reviews.
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull Front Man)
“..might even fool me on a good night” (1999 letter to the band)
“Where’s my ten percent !!??” (2003 interview with band on BBC radio)
Dave Rees (Editor of the UK Tull Fanzine, A New Day)
“Bloody marvellous!”
Review of performance at The Italian Jethro Tull Convention 2003 by Dave Rees published in A New Day. “And so to the incredible Dayglo Pirates, making their first appearance in Italy. If you’ve seen them before you know just how good they are, both musically and visually. The audience were amazed as singer/flautist Paul dazzled them with an over the top but uncannily accurate imitation of mid 70s IanAnderson. The ex-Tull guys look on in equal amazement from the side of the stage, clearly impressed… In contrast to the earlier bands, the Dayglos go for a complete replication of the Tull look and sound andwhen Ian Anderson once said “might even fool me on a good night” he wasn’t joking. .. that much !!”

Review of gig at Mr Kyps
“I was really looking forward to this gig, as I hadn’t seen Tull live since about 1969, and had very fondmemories of this extraordinary band from that era. Fortunately for me, a lot of the material came fromthat early period, and the band managed to escape without doing 4 or 5 of Tull’s hit singles! No matter,they were absolutely top class, and went about their work with accuracy, passion, aplomb and wonderfulmusicality.

The first album from 1968 was represented by "My Sunday Feeling", a great tune to blow the cobwebsaway, and a chance for Paul, the lead singer/flautist to strut his stuff. He wore the codpiece, thegreatcoat, the white tights, the wild hair, and looked and sounded every inch the part. One thing aboutthe band was their attention to detail concerning Tull’s humour and great onstage banter, nothing waslost, even down to the very good fake Blackpool accent! Smashing stuff, well recommended.”
Review of gig Lewes Folk Rock Festival (published in A New Day)
“Having once again been starved of live performances in the UK this year by our heroes, I decided to goalong to see this JT tribute band who I had first gone to see after they were featured in A New Day
Magazine a couple of years ago. I had been very impressed then so was looking forward very much toseeing them again. Imagine my delight therefore to see Dave Rees (A New Day editor) who was
attending the festival with the AND stand and its stock of CDs, magazine back copies etc.
As the four backing musicians provided their 'intro', an apparition bounded out from the side of the stageand launched into a superb rendition of My Sunday Feeling. With Paul as front man, being a deadringer for Ian Anderson of the 70's, wild eyes, hair and all, the competence of all members of the band(Steve on bass, Simon on electric guitar, David on keyboards and Tom on drums) leaves you feelingyou have entered a time warp.
The set comprised 13 numbers, with material taken from This Was right through the intervening years toSongs From The Wood when a fun version of Hunting Girl was performed complete with riding hat butwithout the half-expected interruption from a ringing telephone. No, they saved this for Back to The Family when someone called Mr Anderson called trying to obtain tickets for the following night’s concert(which was actually sold out). The band had stopped dead as the phone rang and started again dead on cue.
A number that I had not heard the Pirates do before was Thick As A Brick, which rounded off the first half of the concert. This lengthy item was extremely well done and Mr Rees was heard to say that it was the best version he had heard in 20 years. Cor! Tull still use it in their set don’t they? Aqualung was really great with Paul very much in character with his gyrations. How on earth can this guy mimic the maestro so closely and actually have the ability to play flute and sing rather well too! Locomotive Breath was later done as an encore to rapturous applause. Another very fine concert from the UK’s only JT tribute band. I am left feeling that this is one of the best tribute bands I have seen, made all the better by the obvious fact that these guys are playing this music because they love it, so we are all committed fans together.”

THE DAYGLO PIRATES. Comments from the fans….
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“Top gig Saturday last - the spirit of JT was a joy to hear and behold. Well done!”
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“Just a short note to say how great your performance was at Bath last Saturday.
First time I have seen you or indeed any tribute band and I was not expecting such
musicianship or accuracy. Most of all, you gave those of us who enjoy Tull a truly great
evening. Any Tull fan will come up with a different set-list, but I feel your selection was
cracking: a bit for the non-fans, a bit for the casual and a bit for the committed, all delivered in
character and with great humour.
What a night! I couldn’t stop grinning!”
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“(For) a thousand (mothers) thanks for the gig at the Portland last week.
Especially the impromptu Up The Pool and Christmas Song!”
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“Anyway, great performance. I was particularly struck by the singer's voice. It was like having
the real Ian Anderson singing right in front of me! “
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“Well, first off, can I repeat what I said on the night. It was a crackin' gig and thoroughly
enjoyable I thought your sound overall was terrific, very evocative of Tull in the earlier days. I
was particularly impressed by the guitar sounds, which seemed very accurate and, of course,
the vocals...I think Paul must share some genetic material with I.A.”
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“There are a few Tull tribute bands, but you guys are the best for authenticity hands down.
Nobody even comes close to you, looks and sound.”
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“It was my pleasure to see you at Derby the other week- enjoyed it immensely especially
Thick as a Brick. Some complicated stuff in there, nicely executed, sounded great. Other
highlights for me were Hunting Girl, For a thousand Mothers, Nothing to Say ….in fact … all
of it !!
Anyway, I wish you every continued success. I am a 40-something university teacher with
wife, kids and chest freezer to keep - the other night in Derby you made me feel like an 18
year old again without a care in the world !! That's the power of a good tribute band.
You did that - so thanks once again.”