We asked John Themis some questions about the up and coming tour with Boy George in January 2008 and this is what we found out.

By www.boy.george.net

what can the fans expect from this up and coming tour?

OLD SONGS NEW SONGS EXPERIMENTAL STUFF REGGAE DIVA GUESTS CHIT CHAT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BASICALLY A GOOD NIGHT OUT

How long will George be on stage for?

IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT 45"  FIRST HALF 20" BREAK AND ANOTHER 45" SECOND HALF AND GEORGE SHOULD BE ON STAGE FOR ALL OF IT UNLESS A DIVA DOES A SOLO.

Will there be a support...

YES MAINLY PSYCHOLOGICAL FOR THE BAND BACKSTAGE WHEN WE NEED IT

...any clues to who?

ALL JOKING ASIDE I AM NOT SURE YET

Is George expecting to have any special guests to join him on stage & if so can Jon give us some clues as  to who they are?

YES, THIS WILL VARY FROM SHOW TO SHOW, MAYBE LADY ZEE, THERE'S EVEN BEEN TALK OF EVE GALLAGHER, WE WILL SEE.

 everyone obviously loves all the old  songs. We saw George perform a few 'up to date' versions of church of the poisoned mind or do you
 really want to hurt me. will he be performing any other classics?

WELL I AM SURE WE WILL BE DOING CLASSICS IN A TWISTED WAY NEVER LIKE THE ORIGINAL JUST TO BE DIFFERENT AND FRESH. I QUITE LIKE THE MAD METAL VERSION OF CHURCH. THERE WILL BE SURPRISES.

 is the purpose of this tour also, for george to try out a lot of new
 material?

THE PURPOSE IS TO PLAY IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND EXCERCISE THE REASON  FOR BEING PUT ON THIS PLANET AND THAT GOES FOR EVERYONE, (OH AND TO PAY SOME BILLS).

you have been working with george for many many years, what do you think is the essential ingredient for two musicians to have a such a successful working relationship?

WHEN CREATIVELY SPEAKING, ONE NEEDS SOMETHING FROM THE OTHER ONE THAT THEY CANT FULFILL ON THEIR OWN FOR THE PURPOSE OF ARRIVING AT A MUTUALLY SATISFYING CREATIVE CONCLUSION WHETHER THIS BE A SONG A PLAY A SHOW, ANYTHING THAT RELEASES CREATIVE TENSION. YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE HUNGER.

what other projects are you working o'n at the moment?

I AM WORKING ON MARCELLA DETROIT'S NEW ALBUM WHICH IS REALLY ORIGINAL, QUIRKY, LYRICALLY RICH, MELODICALLY GORGEOUS LIKE HER AND A PLEASURE TO BE ON. I LOVE HER TO BITS SHE IS A SPECIAL LADY AND WHAT A GREAT SINGER/WRITER/GUITARIST/HARMONICA PLAYER/PERFORMER.

ALSO I AM WORKING ON 2 ALBUMS FOR CHRISTIE HENNESSY A PROLIFIC IRISH WRITER/ARTIST WHO UNFORTUNATELY DIED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THERE ARE GUEST DUETS ON ONE OF THE ALBUMS BY THE CREME DE LA CREME OF IRELAND SUCH AS CHRISTIE MOORE, MARY BLACK, PAUL BRADY, MOYA BRENNAN(CLANNAD) FRANCIS BLACK, LUKA BLOOM, TOMMY FLEMMING, VICTORIA HART, FINBAR FURY AND RONAN KEATING.

 which musicians does that band consist of?

ME GUITARS AND VOCALS, KEVAN FROST BASS AND VOCALS, LIZZIE DEAN VOCALS, JOHN GIBBONS VOCALS, RICHIE STEVENS DRUMS AND MAYHEM, MALCOLM MADDOCK KEYBOARDS (AS CHAZ CANT DO THIS FIRST LEG) AND SOME GAY BLOKE CALLED GEORGE ON VOCALS. JIMMY MIXOLOGIST SARIKAS IS ON SOUND THANK GOD.

which is your favorite song to perform with boy george live?

CHURCH OF THE POISON MIND METTALICA VERSION

obviously all boy george fans rate his talents very highly, as you
 are a very well respected  musician in the music industry, are there
 still other people that you aspire to work with?

ANYONE WITH REAL TALENT, TASTE, HUMILITY, CREATIVITY, MUSICALITY, WRITING ABILITY AND SENSIBILITY.

can you tell us a funny story that you have experienced with george
 on a previous live tour?

OH DEAR THERE ARE SO MANY. CHECK MY BLOGGS ON www.myspace.com/johnthemis THERE ARE SOME PRETTY COOL ONES I THINK.

and finally, as you are a greek cypriot, how often do you have to
 listen to george cracking jokes about the GREEKS and being Gay?

LISTEN, THE GREEKS INVENTED IT JUST LIKE THEY INVENTED EVERYTHING ELSE LIKE MATHS, DEMOCRACY, PHILOSOPHY, MUSIC (YES MUSIC) ARCHITECTURE ETC BUT I AM VERY HAPPY FOR THE BOY TO EXCERCISE HIS WIT ON ALL MATTERS GAY AND GREEK AS HE HAS A WIKED SENSE OF HOUMOUS.

GOD BLESS AND SEE YOU AT THE GIGS WE WILL DO OUR BEST.
JT
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Click for Boy George tour dates 2008.