Killer Queen
Patrick Myres, Killer Queen frontman
THEY will, they will rock you!
Few bands have the kind of anthemic and enduringly popular back catalogue as Queen, and fans can relive the glory days through top tribute act Killer Queen tonight (Thursday) at the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall.
Frontman Patrick Myers founded the band back in 1993 – from just a short chat with him it is obvious that his passion and enthusiasm for the music have not diminished at all over nearly 20 years.
The band still tour the UK extensively, but the biggest gigs tend to be on the continent.
‘Not only were Queen musically amazing, it was a big show production. It was never our plan to go abroad, but promoters in Europe seem happy to invest in a big show,’ said Patrick.
‘It means we’ve managed to play some fantastic venues, like the national stadiums Queen played in at their peak, and interesting places like Beirut where we played a huge show.
‘It blows my mind, it’s the stuff of childhood daydreams. It’s great fun.’
The band started as a temporary thing to raise money for charity and ‘get invited to posh parties’, but all that changed with news that pop icon Freddie Mercury had died.
‘When Freddie died, it was like when John Lennon was shot, everyone was playing his songs,’ said Patrick. ‘We thought we would give the full tribute band thing a go, and it just took off.’
It has been steady work ever since. Patrick explained demand has always been there, and Queen’s popularity has never diminished.
‘The body of work speaks for itself,’ he said. ‘It will always stand out. It’s universal. Even young kids know tracks like We Will Rock You and Don’t Stop Me Now.’
Mimicking somebody with the vocal range and distinctive delivery can’t be easy night after night, especially since 1993. Is it becoming more of a physical strain?
‘Freddie was pretty fantastic,’ admitted Patrick. ‘He could write untouchable songs, it was in his DNA to do the pop star thing. As I’ve got older I’ve trained my voice more and more. I have more technique than when I first started.’
Is it still a buzz?
‘The last 20 years have contained the most extraordinary adventures,’ he said.
‘It’s surreal though, I could step into the audience 20 minutes after a show and no one would know it was me. It’s kind of a Bruce Wayne thing!
‘My highlight is the Radio Ga Ga hands, when the audience is lit up. That is still the moment where I stop and think “wow, that is so cool!”’
Tickets are £20. Call 600555.
Please note that with roads in the promenade area closed from 7pm for Rally Isle of Man. Doors for the 8pm gig will open at 6.30pm and access to the Villa will be from the road which runs behind the Gaiety Theatre.
No car parking will be available on-site.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 36 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: North west
