The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Galactic Empire
Buskers, Dundee. Sunday December 11
The world is about to go Star Wars crazy yet again when Rogue Nation is released next week. Before that happens Dundee will be touched by the dark side when Galactic Empire bring their Death Star of a show to the city.
The heavy metal band is guaranteed to cause a great disturbance in the Force with their interpretation of composer John Williams’ classic soundtrack.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... actually in the summer of last year the five-piece band was formed in Pennsylvania out of a joint love of Star Wars and music.
The group describe themselves as, “a heavy metal band comprised of the most sinister villains in the universe.”
The band members have given themselves tongue-in-cheek names that play on the names of Star Wars characters. Boba Sett plays drums, Bass Commander is on bass, naturally, with Dark Vader on lead guitar, and Shadow Ranger and Red Guard on guitar.
Chris Kelly, aka Dark Vader, says: “The Galactic Empire have been summoned to your UK system to eliminate any rebel scum with the crushing force of sonic goodness.”
Featuring a combination of great production values, musicianship and humour, the group’s videos have become viral hits on YouTube.
One has Vader hold out his hand, using the Force to make a guitar float towards him, while in another he force chokes a techie for not setting up his sound levels correctly.
They play in full Star Wars gear and, according to drummer Grant “Boba Sett” McFarland it took ages to customise the kit so they could play their instruments in it.
Wookie Chewbacca makes a cameo as the group’s prisoner while the Emperor cheers from the sidelines.
Galactic Empire got started via a Kickstarter page, with Star Wars enthusiasts raising $60,000 to buy costumes and equipment. Their first album will be released in February.
Chris Kelly continues: “Grant made a drum video of himself playing along to the Imperial March a few years ago. Eventually he thought to expand that idea and add guitars to the score and arrange it to be played by a rock/metal band.
“It wasn’t long before the idea snowballed into an entire album of all the most memorable Star Wars themes.” The group are currently touring the UK and come to Dundee on Sunday night.
It will be one of their first live performances and Galactic Empire are encouraging fans to dress as their favourite Star Wars character.
One thing’s for sure: no one goes into a Galactic Empire concert saying they’ve got a bad feeling about this.