Itchyworms frontman Jugs Jugueta opens the video “Bohemian Rhapsody medley” on YouTube–a Queen tribute participated by 17 international artists and viewed over 1.8 million times as of this writing.
Did he know his solo recording was chosen to open one of the most epic songs ever? “No! It was weird. It’s always weird watching yourself,” Jugs told Super after the advance screening of “Bohemian Rhapsody” film starring Rami Malek at Power Plant Mall last Oct. 22. Like the audience, it was also Jugs’ first time to watch the music video since they shot and recorded it in London last August.
The “Showtime” mainstay said it was an overwhelming experience to record songs from Queen’s repertoire at Metropolis Studios (the place where the legendary rock ’n’ roll group recorded the “Innuendo” album). Also in the Queen-inspired video clad in glitzy ’70s fashion were: Alycia Marie (Germany), Ani Lorak (Russia), Ayumu Yamashita (Japan), Bradlee (United States), Bully (Mexico), Mateus Carrilho (Brazil), Connie Isla (Argentina), Currice (Spain), Daniel J. Layton (United Kingdom), Denise Rosenthal (Chile), Ekin Beril (Turkey), Joshua Simon (Singapore), Laura Tobon (Colombia), Stan Walker (New Zealand), Thomas (Italy) and William Wei (Taiwan).
“(I was thinking) don’t f__k it up. We were in a studio where we prerecorded the ‘Innuendo’ album. I was playing the piano that Freddie Mercury played, (which) was also used by Adele,” Jugs added.
The craziest thing was that Jugs initially turned down the opportunity because the shooting time overlapped with his band performances. However, the universe had different plans. The shooting date was moved and, upon the prodding of his wife, Jugueta took the gig. “Everything conspired for me to go to London,” Jugs said.