Interview with Boxtones, Band in Dubai

The Boxtones are as dynamic as they come. They are a British group all hailing from the UK and having worked with musicians from all over the world this fine 5-piece-band play 6 nights per week in Time Café ,Bur Dubai.

In the past, members of the Boxtones have performed at prestigious events and venues such as, The Gleneagles Hotel Scotland for the G8 Summit 2005.

Whitehall London, St Andrews Bay Hotel Scotland, Lagos Nigeria, American Naval ships and A.S.U. base Bahrain, Edinburgh Festival Scotland 2004/05 main stage, Gulf Hotel Bahrain.

Most recent after a stint in China the Time Café are pleased to have on board, scream and shout from the rooftop, “The Boxtones are our fantastic resident band who perform 6 nights per week.’’ Say’s Andi, the new Club Manager. “Due to a high level of football with the Euro 2008, that can be watched on over 50 plasma screens and 2 video walls, the band are currently playing a later set and play from around midnight till 3am.”

The Boxtones have escalated up a long ladder of success having supported The Moffats, Lit, Stardust, Joan Jett, The Counterfeit Stones, Blink 182 and The Goo Goo Dolls.

Under another working title, the band had previously recorded 6 albums of original music which sold well throughout the UK and the Gulf. The Boxtones can play virtually any style of music and have proven this with there vast repertoire, ranging from Blues, Soul, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Folk, Past, Present, Dance and Reggae you can be assured of a top class night of entertainment at Time Café.

Let get closer to the Boxtones!

Who am I talking to and can you introduce me to your band?

I'm Gary, the band's boss so to speak. Although it’s hard to boss musicians in general. I try my best. Gill is on the drums, Louise is the lead singer, Roberto is on keyboard, guitar and also try’s his hand at DJ’ing and last but not least Liam the godfather on bass.

What are you all about?

All about music man - nah to be honest we love to travel, play music and get people mental every night.

What makes you tick?

Well we have seen our fare share of cover bands out here in the Middle East and we always thought we could bring something a little different or edgier to the whole scene. Not to say the bands we saw were poor, we just want to try different angles on the circuit.

Where do you play?

Right now we are at Time Café at the Ramee Royal Hotel in Bur Dubai. It’s a great venue, really big, loads of sport and cheap drinks.

Why should people come to see you?

If you’re the kind of person who really appreciates music and good songs, not just your run of the mill tunes then come down. If you wanna dance all night long then ditto and if you wanna learn Scottish the hard way then this is the place to be!

Who is the most amazing person you have ever met and what chemistry did you feel?

I met Bono, George Clooney and Bob Geldoff (in the toilet no less) at the G8 summit in 2005. George asked if there was any room for a small one and Bono thought himself a comedian. I didn’t find him funny but I laughed so I didn’t hurt his feelings -:). The most amazing person I’ve met has to be Simon from Biffy Clyro – a new band in the UK from Scotland who are absolutely amazing artists. A lot of inspiration for my own music comes from that band.

If someone wanted to make a movie based on your life, who would you want to play you?

I’d like to find someone who could jog my memory about my life after the sheer amount of partying I did. Then, I think I can speak for the whole band when I say that if we wanted people to play us in movies then – I’d like Bruce Springsteen for me (Gary - guitar), Robert De Niro for Liam (bass), Danny De Vito for Louise (lead vocals), Queen Elizabeth II for Gill (drums) and Steve Carrell for Roberto (keys).

Everybody dreams of being famous, who would you love to be pictured with, dead or alive?

Vincent Price – there has never been a better intro to a song than Michael Jacksons Thriller – and it answers both parts of the question because I’m not sure he was ever alive anyway -:).

Cheers to Gary and his band The Boxtones, catch them every night except Friday at the Time Café Bur Dubai. Just beside the Maktoum Bridge next to the Emerat petrol station. Call the Ramee Royal Hotel on 04 33 44 088 for more information.

(Interview done by Andi M)

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