A PUNK band from Dubai have made a journey of more than 4,500 miles – all for the love of simply sharing their music with the world.

Fat Randall are on an eight-date UK tour, including a free gig at Old Town House in Warrington on Friday, and admitted they will make a loss.

The band is currently unsigned and it will be their first tour after supporting Authority Zero in London and being given a slot at the Punk Rock Holiday festival in Slovenia gave them a taste for it.

Romario Fernando, bassist and vocalist, said: “Most of the shows we’re doing have a door cover or a fixed fee, but we just want to play shows, as we don’t get the opportunity in Dubai.

“After playing our first international show at a festival with bands we grew up listening to, we were hooked.

“We wanted to tour and take our music to the world and that’s the motivation behind it.

“Doing any tour involves making a bit of a loss, but we work, put aside money and manage budgets to minimize costs. It’s still a learning process as this is our first tour, but we’ve tried to maximise the number of shows around the UK and sell merchandise, which is going towards covering the costs of travel.”

Romario met drummer Ray Ferrer in 2008 and they formed the original line-up after meeting guitarist Paul Coutts at a house party in 2013.

They bonded over Blink 182 and Millencolin.

‘We wanted to tour and take our music to the world’

Romario Fernando

Romario, 28, added: “Punk rock’s always stood for something bigger than itself and is a voice for the people who don’t have one. Also the way it incorporates elements of being serious and having fun is something that’s always appealed to us.

“And to top it off – it’s fast, it’s melodic, it’s catchy and you become a part of the collective – a family all over the world. The punk scene in Dubai is almost non-existent at the moment. There’s been lots of ups and downs and I think right now, it’s on a down but we’re doing what we can to build it back up again.

“Dubai is a massive melting pot of people and that’s reflected in our band as well.

“Paul’s family are from Scotland, Ray’s are from The Philippines and mine are from Sri Lanka and the three of us met in Dubai. Some of our songs are a reflection of experiences there but on the whole we write about global themes, like dealing with depression, falling in love, Wookiees. You know, normal life stuff!”

The band, who will be working on their debut album when they return from the UK tour, also paid tribute to the UK punk scene and the support they have received.

Romario said: “It’s been overwhelming having that kind of support and reception from the people and places we’ve played so far. It will be our first time in Warrington and we’re already being well taken care of by The Old Town House crew.

“We’re really looking forward to playing there.”

n Fat Randall perform at The Old Town House in Buttermarket Street on Friday. Doors open at 7pm.

DAVID MORGAN