`We will rock you`, promise Killer Queen

Anyone approaching the stage of the Mediterranean Conference Centre yesterday could have been forgiven for thinking they were listening to the voice of the late Freddie Mercury belting out his legendary band`s greatest hits.

Upon reaching the stage, I was even more dumbstruck by Scott Maley`s uncanny resemblance to the former Queen frontman.

Killer Queen were tuning their instruments to give Maltese fans of British band Queen a taste of the almost-real thing tonight and tomorrow. And for many of the fans it will be the closest they will ever get to experience the raw power and sheer energy of Queen.

The response to today`s and tomorrow`s shows, organised by Pres International, has been overwhelming: the venue has been sold out, which means that about 4,000 people will be swarming the MCC, which has had part of its seating area removed to recreate the concert atmosphere.

The performance consists of a 90-minute plus set of live music with a complete sound and lighting crew to reproduce the Queen show.

Scott is determined that the concert will recreate the same spectacle, flamboyance, and quality sounds associated with Queen.

"We are very dedicated, and work very hard at this job, and I admit it`s not easy," he said.

Killer Queen started back in 1994, when they used to perform a 30-minute medley of Queen hits in their repertoire. Thanks to the response they dedicated themselves exclusively to Queen.

Eight years, and hundreds of shows later, Killer Queen are critically acclaimed as the finest of several Queen tribute bands in the UK, to the extent that they were chosen to headline at the International Queen convention in 2000.

All the members in the band are professional musicians who leave no stone unturned when they reproduce classics like `We are the Champions`, `Bohemian Rhapsody`, and `Under Pressure`.

Scott confessed that it had taken endless hours of watching Freddie on videos to emulate him to a tee. But, he adds, most of the mannerisms on stage come naturally.

For the Malta shows, the band will be taking a snapshot of Queen through the years, focusing especially on their late 70s and early 80s period. Since Queen stopped touring in 1986, no songs from the last three albums will be played.

The lead singer said he was aware of the massive popularity of Queen in Malta and urged everyone to treat the show as a real concert - it is not a cabaret event.

"You can never replace Queen as a band and that is not our intention. Freddie`s death left a big hole in the music industry and we are just trying to fill that hole a little bit. All we are doing is paying our little tribute," he said.