Queen Tribute Band Kicks Off Summer Concert Series

Almost Queen, a nationally touring Queen tribute band, will open the 2011 Nesconset Summer Concert series Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Nesconset Gazebo on Smithtown Boulevard.

The band has been playing together for more than six years. They are able to pull off the unique harmonies and vocals sounds of Queen, according to bass player Randy Gregg.

“People are pretty shocked we can pull off studio versions of songs,” Gregg said.

The band is made up of four musicians who, like Queen, all are singers. Each band member dresses up in complete outfit and hairstyle in effort to recreate Queen’s famous stage show.

For the members of Almost Queen, each concert is a chance to perform their favorite songs by a childhood icon.

“This is music I’ve listened to since I was nine years old,” said Joseph Russo, who plays Freddie Mercury. “I got it on an eight track for Christmas and it blew my mind. It never ceased to entertain me. I could do this for nothing. I always look forward to performing.”

Russo prepared for his role of Mercury by watching a lot of videos and Super 8 films on the Internet.

“You can watch a Queen show from 1974 as easily as turning on your computer,” he said.

Russo, who has a theater background, says putting on the make-up, the costume and fixing his hair puts him in the mode to be Mercury. He said there are certain traits about Mercury that make him stand out, noticed by Queens fans.

“The way he mouths his vowels, the ways he rolls his Rs or holds a note. There’s a certain amount of detail that comes with constantly listening and watching and just knowing it,” Russo said. “Queen has a special big sound. There’s nothing political about it. It’s fun good music.”

Queen had many popular hits so concert goers can come to the show and hear an hour and a half set of songs they know, Gregg said. Popular Queen songs include “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “We Are the Champions” and “We Will Rock You.”

Concertgoers are asked to bring canned food or non-perishable food items to donate to Long Island Cares food bank, who will be on site to collect donations. The Nesconset Gazebo is located next door to the Nesconset branch of the Smithtown Special Library District at 148 Smithtown Boulevard, Nesconset.