Published: April 02, 2008 01:28 pm            

MUSIC: Works want to rock you

It seems all Gary Mullen has to do to make friends is talk.

“As soon as we speak, the place kind of comes to a halt,” said Mullen, his thick Scottish brogue making some of his words hard to distinguish over the phone. “I’m enjoying (America). I find it very friendly.”

Mullen and his Queen tribute band, The Works, are in the midst of their first U.S. tour. As the group gets set to bring “One Night of Queen” to the University at Buffalo on Sunday, Mullen has found American crowds to be quite receptive to their music.

“When you come to a new country, you never know what to expect,” he said. “The crowds have been rocking. The audience has been really responsive.”

The Works are stateside through the rest of this month after several years of touring Europe. The band has been together since 2002, at which time Mullen wanted a group to complement his one-man Queen show.

Mullen had been impersonating Queen singer Freddie Mercury since 2000, when his version of the late rock star won him the crown on “Stars in their Eyes,” a British reality series in which people impersonate their favorite performers. His work on that show brought in a record number of votes (864,838) on the top-rated program, which has aired since 1990.

A lifelong Queen fan, Mullen has yet to tire of making his living by being someone else.

“It’s the coolest job in the world,” he said. “I get to play one of my idols every night and meet all kinds of fans.”

Mullen culls his years of experience impersonating Mercury to offer as close to an authentic Queen show as possible. The moves, on-stage mannerisms and audience interaction used by The Works are all taken from Queen concert footage, he said.

What’s not copied is the glam rock fashion worn by Queen in the 1970s.

“It can become too cabaret if you put on silly wigs and dress everyone up to extremes,” said Mullen, who himself bears a resemblance to Mercury.

Part of that resemblance includes maintaining Mercury’s lean stature and powerful voice, both of which still take work to perfect.

“We’re playing five shows a week, so you have to have physical and mental endurance,” he said. “I had to go for singing lessons once we started touring to build endurance. People think you can hop around on stage for two hours a night and do this. It’s not that easy.”

After crossing the pond to return home, The Works are scheduled to tour Europe through November, then resume touring in January. A live CD is available only at shows, but no plans are in the works for any studio work because of the band’s schedule; The Works is already booked solid for the next 18 months.

Whether familiar with The Works or their inspiration, Mullen thinks those who come to Sunday’s show will find somebody to love.

“It’s a great one for the audience to sing along with,” said Mullen, citing the familiarity of Queen’s catalog. “It’s your show. You paid your money. You should enjoy yourself and sing.”

Contact editor Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116.



IF YOU GO

• WHAT: “One Night of Queen” performed by Gary Mullen and The Works

• WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday

• WHERE: Mainstage Theatre at the University at Buffalo North Campus, Amherst

• MORE INFORMATION: Call 645-2787 or visit ubcfa.org

        

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