Killer Queen have been performing their tribute to Queen’s concert since 1993. Their expert musicianship, extraordinary energy and accurate portrayal of the world’s greatest live band have rightfully earned Killer Queen the title of Queen tribute royalty.
Thrilling sell-out audiences across the globe from the UK to Moscow and annual tour of USA, Killer Queen recreates the high energy, powerful phenomenon that was Queen live. Fronted by Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, ‘Time Out’ described Patrick’s resemblance to Freddie Mercury as “spooky”.
Their quality, combined with a powerful 3 1/2 octave tenor range, expert musicianship and dynamic stage presence, has captivated audiences the world over. We spoke to frontman Patrick about all things Queen.How did the Tribute act come about – how did you all come together to honour Queen?
We were kids just starting college when the news came through that Freddie had passed. We were the first generation that would never see Freddie and Queen. There wasn’t really a tribute scene like there is now so we thought the only way to make an impossible concert happen for everyone our age was to do it ourselves. It was a labour of love.
Why do you think Queen are so iconic?
Great songs, great musicians and great performers over such a long period. No one else comes close when it comes to the range of styles and catalogue of hits. Queen were amazing. Freddie was also such a magnetic performer. That’s really rare.
What is your favourite Queen Song to perform?
There’s a few. Show Must Go On, Days of our Lives and Bohemian Rhapsody are always favourites for me. All four members of Queen wrote their hits – another thing that makes them unique and the song writing range so wide.
Can you tell us what people should expect from a Killer Queen show?
Our mission statement is really simple. A great, unforgettable night out. I think Killer Queen’s magic ingredient is atmosphere. We aim to make the audience feel like they’re at that impossible concert and just let rip and have the time of their lives. I’m lucky to have such great musicians to work with. They really kick ass. Every night is a pleasure to be onstage and with such a amazing load of songs to draw from it’s a bit of a dream job.
Where has been your favourite place to perform on stage and why?
Well selling out the same stadiums that Queen did was an unexpected surprise! Those nights will stay with me. Playing Red Rocks in America is also very very special. The place is amazing. I’ve had a lot of adventures over the years!What is the most rewarding thing about your work?
We tour all over the world every year so we’ve seen a few things! For me though, its doing something that’s a lot of fun and produces so much happiness for so many people – us included. I
feel really lucky to have been at this crazy late stage of the music industry to make this possible. Tributes are quite a surreal concept for sure. But it means I can have all the fun of pretending to be famous rock star without having to actually be one. I can play to hundreds of thousands of people and no one knows or cares what I look like offstage – so I have total privacy. It’ s all about Freddie and Queen. For me that’s perfect. All the fun and not too much of the Faustian pact with fame schtick.
What’s been a funny moment for you on stage? Any mishaps you want to share!?
Funniest moments are often offstage. We were booked to perform at Tower Records in London on World Aids Day back in 1993. We were in full costume about to do a live TV interview with the late Karen Keating when the lift door jammed with us all trapped inside and Karen just outside with the crew– it was going out live I think. Karen was trying to convince the world we looked just like Queen and the viewers would be amazed. The lift door wouldn’t budge. All she had was a visual of a stuck lift door and my voice on the other side attempting to answer her questions. Four forlorn voices mustering a heartfelt accapella rendition of I Want To Break Free. I’d love to see that footage if it still exists.
If you hadn’t have been in a band what would you be doing?
I don’t know. I trained as an actor so probably more of that. But sitting around waiting for acting jobs isn’t that exciting so something else would have kickstarted as well. I remember I was a kid on a school bus on the way home with a classmate. We made a promise to ourselves that we both were going to really try and have proper adventures with whatever we did in life. Not necessarily be famous but definitely have fun and excitement. I’ve no idea what she went on to do but hopefully adventures happened for her too.What do you like to do in your free time?
This tours all year round so there’s not a lot of that! I love spending time with friends and family and staying still for a bit! I write my own music and arrangements but mostly as elaborate overcooked surprises for birthday presents. I get a lot of fun out of that sort of thing.
Who are your influences and inspirations?
I loved Queen as a kid but also loved Bowie, The Beatles, Pet Shop Boys and a ton of other great songwriters and singers. I could get really obscure on you here but I won’t! Music is magic. Any
song that has channels that perfect -seemingly simple -but rarified magic has me transfixed. I’m still really agog when something new arrives that has that certain something.
What are your thoughts about the biopic film coming out?
Excited. The trailers look amazing. Wow. I’m just hoping the structure and script tell the story well. Queen have been working on this for aeons so all should be good. Generally though, Rock biopics can end up being just a bunch of strung together well known moments and quotes with a clunky dramatic engine behind them. Getting a story that has enough familiar reference points but a good dramatic build is hard but I have high high hopes for this one. Aside from the fantastic music there’s an amazing story to tell. It’s such a great cast. Dexter Fletcher taking the directorial reins gets a big tick from me. Bring it on!
Where can people follow your work on Twitter/Facebook/YouTube etc?
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
Killer Queen will be performing at The Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells on 24/10 get tickets online.
