Perth Fake Fest

South Inch, Perth, May 19

Tribute bands, depending on which side of the debate you’re on, can be manna from heaven or the work of the devil.

For theatre managers looking to keep audiences filing through their doors, bands who have honed impressions that are as close as it gets to the originals can’t come round often enough; and for musicians who are trying to build a following for their own music, there’s too many of them flooding the market.

Some tribute bands have been filling famous shoes for much longer than the band they set out to celebrate actually existed.

The Bootleg Beatles, for example, have been on the road for almost four times as long as the Fab Four’s career lasted – and with an American playing Ringo, at that – and Australian Abbas, Doors and Pink Floyds have possibly played more gigs than their heroes ever did.

Like them or loathe them, though, there’s no denying these acts’ appeal and Perth Fake Festival is the living proof.

Held in a giant marquee on the South Inch from noon to 11pm, this year’s event features six bands delivering the sound, music, image and look of Muse, Oasis, Queen, Stereophonics, Kasabian, and Green Day.

Musest, who will bring the day to a close with favourites including their medley of Uprising, Starlight and War Within a Breath et al, began as a bunch of friends entering a talent contest in Holland for fun as Muse impersonators. They enjoyed it so much they decided to develop a full concert and starting out in local cafes playing to five people, they took it on the road. That was 11 years ago and they’ve since played all over the world.

Such numbers became routine and indeed small beer for Queen as they toured the planet’s stadia and for Flash, who take to the South Inch stage at 6pm, recreating Freddie, Brian, John and Roger’s stage show was a serious business from the start.

They spent 12 months in rehearsal, perfecting every tone, tick and mannerism and although they come from Stoke, following the departure of their original singer, they now have a frontman – Claudio Desideri – whose moniker is almost as exotic as Freddie Mercury’s birth name, Farrokh Bulsara.

Claudio prepared for his role as the Flash frontman by working with an Italian Queen tribute band and although he never saw the original Queen perform in the flesh, he has studied the videos. His favourite Queen song is These Are The Days Of Our Lives.

“It is so emotional and an honour to perform,” he says.

“But for the fun factor it’s always great to hear the audience participation on Fat Bottomed Girls.”

Queen tribute band Flash, who are playing Perth Fake Fest, strut their stuff on stage