The big debate: tribute bands - yay or nay!?

[larryace]

I played a few shows with an Allman Brothers tribute band. I was filling in until they could get a permanent 2nd drummer, (which they just found, I'm off the hook) as I couldn't commit to that project. I found it to be terribly confining. Especially trying to sync with another drummer that never practiced with a metronome lol. There's not enough spontaneity when trying to replicate as closely as possible. Being in a cover band is a different animal. Tribute bands are expected to be SPOT ON. Cover bands have a lot more latitude.

[drummer-russ]

I have seen australian Pink Floyd and they are amazing.

[Vegas Island]

Originally Posted by Midnite Zephyr

I just saw Led Zepagain last friday at a local theater. Not only were they awesome, but the drummer really did a great job. Totally worth the 15 bucks I paid for the ticket. I can imagine if it was a bad act then it would be a joke. Those bands sure do get a lot of work.

I've seen them several times and they're always great! Check out Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience as well if they come to your town. More than just a tribute!

[Souljacker]

The guy who sings with Led Zepagain is from my hometown in Ireland, I wonder how he ended up making it in L.A. Fair play to him.

[wombat]

Hmm I wonder if symphony / chamber orchestras would be classified as a tribute "band" or a "cover band" ?

Pretty rare that they do an original !!

[larryace]

Originally Posted by wombat

Hmm I wonder if symphony / chamber orchestras would be classified as a tribute "band" or a "cover band" ?

Pretty rare that they do an original !!

Lol, good point, food for thoughts....

I would like to think they are on a different plane, but its all music right? I guess they are considered a cover band because they are covering Mozart et al lol. A tribute band would utilize the powdered wig look and perhaps harpsichords lol.

[Midnite Zephyr]

Originally Posted by Souljacker

The guy who sings with Led Zepagain is from my hometown in Ireland, I wonder how he ended up making it in L.A. Fair play to him.

Well he has a hell of a good voice and the drummer does a bang up job (get it?). But I'm not taking anything away from the bassist/keyboard player and the Jimmy Page sound alike (he might actually be just as good as Page, it's arguable).

LA, OC.... it's all one big city anyway but I think they hail from the Orange County area. We are proud to keep our identity separate from LA. The roads are wider and the cities are more suburban.

[wombat]

Originally Posted by larryace

Lol, good point, food for thoughts....

I would like to think they are on a different plane, but its all music right? I guess they are considered a cover band because they are covering Mozart et al lol. A tribute band would utilize the powdered wig look and perhaps harpsichords lol.

hehe now I would love to see that !! To be really authentic they also musnt shower for months
Mozart coming to you in wigs and NOW with SMELLO RAMA !! hehe

[Midnite Zephyr]

Originally Posted by Vegas Island

I've seen them several times and they're always great! Check out Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience as well if they come to your town. More than just a tribute!

I remember your recommendation from an older thread about tribute bands. It was so close to my house that I just had to go see them. A Chicago tribute band is playing this friday, Kenny Cetera's Chicago Experience, but I don't think I can afford it in my budget. I need my medication. hehehe.

Ya, I will definitely go see Jason Bonham's Zep Experience, thanks for the tip. Have you see the version of No Quarter that he did with Joe Bonamassa (Black Country Communion)? Wow! Amazing. Even though it's not exactly a "tribute band". Sorry to digress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BXzt7SjWTY

[Anon La Ply]

Originally Posted by wombat

Hmm I wonder if symphony / chamber orchestras would be classified as a tribute "band" or a "cover band" ?

Pretty rare that they do an original !!

Ha - as Larry said, they'd need the wigs. The Brandenburg Orchestra is basically a tribute, using all traditional instruments of the era and no amplification. But surely there's a statute of limitations to be a tribute? Feels to me like the 40s swing era and earlier is more historical referencing than a tribute.

Then you have the 50s - Elvis impersonation has gone beyond tribute to self parody.

Tribute bands at their best give the audience the experience when, for whatever reason, the original artist isn't available. Tribute bands at their worst are kitschy and act to reduce the opportunities for original music. I prefer my kitsch original.

What saddens me is how few opportunities there are for music that isn't poppy in some way - art music for grumpy grownups (like me). Trying to find a gig with genuine art music in small venues in Sydney is tricky business.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by Midnite Zephyr

(he might actually be just as good as Page, it's arguable).

Zeph, please remove head from anus.

No-one.....is better than Jimmy Page!! :-)

[Midnite Zephyr]

Originally Posted by Pocket-full-of-gold

Zeph, please remove head from anus.

No-one.....is better than Jimmy Page!! :-)

Ha ha. Point well taken. I did pause a bit before I wrote it, but I didn't say better than Page, I said it's arguable that he is just as good (in a way), but he's not Page, I know.

[Skitch]

Originally Posted by bermuda

That's the thing, it's a live band. If you like live music, in the context of a show/concert, and you happen to like the music they're playing, and they play it it well, then it's a good thing. I think it's a bit shortsighted and cynical to castigate the concept or the players just on the principle of it being a tribute, or cover band, or whatever. I mean if they're not doing it well, that's quite another matter.

I have no inherent or pre-conceived aversions to the idea of playing one other band's music (or, playing many bands' music in a cover band) whether it's me doing it, or watching someone else. I like popular music, and some that's not so popular. Why wouldn't I want to play it or hear it? I think it would be fun to play all Monkees, Beatles, Stones, Doors, Who, Neil Diamond, Turtles, Creedence etc etc on a given night!

Obviously seeing the real thing is preferable, but with so many artists/bands, there's just not that option anymore. Even where a band is still alive, if they're older and rough around the edges, and/or have too many non-original members, it's almost a tribute anyway. And often, a bit sad. Sometimes it's better to see someone re-create the heyday of a band, in a way that the actual band can no longer do.

The difference between simply listening to the original recordings is that seeing a band is "live", and it's a different experience and energy. I have to explain this concept to players who flippantly suggest that cover bands shouldn't stick to the originasl versions, that people could just turn on the jukebox instead. Again, it's not the same as a live performance, and a litrtle curious that musicians would ever suggest that a jukebox is a suitable replacement for them, especially when a paying gig is at stake! I only bring it up because it does tie-in to the concept of what a live performance brings to people in the audience.

Bermuda

All great points!

Having played in a few tribute bands, one thing which is a positive is that when a member of the original band, Ace Frehley of KISS, in this instance, calls it quits, the remaining band members go looking for someone who can fit that role seamlessly and without a great deal hassle. Gene found a guitar player in one of the tribute bands to take Ace's place.

And that statement about coping the original recording - Zoro once instructed me to learn all of the songs on my band's set list as they were on the recording and to make a practice of it. Why? Because when an actual artist auditions potential band members, it shows the artist that you respect their music than if you went in and tried to "put your stamp on it". This point was echoed at the 2004 Hollywood Vintage and Custom drum show, put on by Kerry Crutchfield, by the last but very inforative clinician, Bermuda Schwartz. His example was a song we all may know, "We Gotta Get out of This Place". He cited that he played the song note for not, including the 8th notes on the tom during the turnaround.

I have played in an 80s tribute band METAL SHOP and it is quite a fun gig. It even has the behind the scenes drama to with it!

Mike

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[Skitch]

Originally Posted by Anon La Ply

Ha - as Larry said, they'd need the wigs. The Brandenburg Orchestra is basically a tribute, using all traditional instruments of the era and no amplification. But surely there's a statute of limitations to be a tribute? Feels to me like the 40s swing era and earlier is more historical referencing than a tribute.

Then you have the 50s - Elvis impersonation has gone beyond tribute to self parody.

Tribute bands at their best give the audience the experience when, for whatever reason, the original artist isn't available. Tribute bands at their worst are kitschy and act to reduce the opportunities for original music. I prefer my kitsch original.

What saddens me is how few opportunities there are for music that isn't poppy in some way - art music for grumpy grownups (like me). Trying to find a gig with genuine art music in small venues in Sydney is tricky business.

I occassional run sound for festivals when I am not drumming and the Elvis impersonators are usually the most troublesome. If it isn't the Elvis clone, the rest of the band is acting like a bunch of primadonnas.

Mike

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[SquadLeader]

I don't like tribute bands. Not at all.

I think it's a lazy way of entertaining people. A 'cop out'. A case of 'why bother creating our own music when we can basically take someone elses, dress up like them, and play instrumental karaoke'.

However, people can do, and pay to go see, whatever the hell they want and if it's their cups of tea then that's fine by me.

I played in a Beatles tribute band when I was between the ages of 13 and 15 and grew out of copying other peoples music at that age.

I don't have a major problem with a band slipping some covers into an originals set (the band I'm in does this....so how could I), but I've massive admiration for people who create original music, even if the music itself doesn't float my boat I will still doff my cap to the people who have created it.

[Vegas Island]

I think the GOOD tribute bands shine through, like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dr5S...AdI4D57TKicPcw

[larryace]

Oh man I thought that sucked. A pale comparison. The audience didn't seem all that into it either. Whoops did I say that out loud?

[wombat]

Just for you Larry...A beatles tribute band doing Led Zeps "Stairway to Heaven"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WfoccRna6I

Part of an ongoing spoof of Stairway to Heaven including the loved or loathed rolf harris version hehe

[Dr_Watso]

One thing I have always found really odd, is the "tribute bands" for bands that are still around and playing. That's just weird to me.

[Anon La Ply]

Originally Posted by Dr_Watso

One thing I have always found really odd, is the "tribute bands" for bands that are still around and playing. That's just weird to me.

Not weird at all.

Think about the "experience" of going to a stadium and watching a big video screen to enlarge some specks on stage you've been assured are in fact the headline act - and you can almost make out their music through all the echo.

Then think about half of the audience waiting outside the toilet at intermission in a line that resembles a small Great Wall of China. Pay a couple of hundred bucks for that - if you managed to get a ticket. Never mind, you can log into eBay buy them at a higher price.

Now think about paying $10 at the door, getting a stamp on your wrist and being able to see an act that's almost as good as the original, minus all those problems.

Stadiums are great if you're close enough to the band to feel the performance. Authenticity doesn't matter when you're too far away to feel the presence of the band and the sound is boomy and ugly.

[Souljacker]

Originally Posted by Anon La Ply

Not weird at all.

Think about the "experience" of going to a stadium and watching a big video screen to enlarge some specks on stage you've been assured are in fact the headline act - and you can almost make out their music through all the echo.

Then think about half of the audience waiting outside the toilet at intermission in a line that resembles a small Great Wall of China. Pay a couple of hundred bucks for that - if you managed to get a ticket. Never mind, you can log into eBay buy them at a higher price.

Now think about paying $10 at the door, getting a stamp on your wrist and being able to see an act that's almost as good as the original, minus all those problems.

Stadiums are great if you're close enough to the band to feel the performance. Authenticity doesn't matter when you're too far away to feel the presence of the band and the sound is boomy and ugly.

Nah, I think it's still pretty weird. I've seen it done for young bands that are still touring and aren't playing the massive venues you describe. Popular indie bands like Arctic Monkeys .

[Dr_Watso]

I guess I see what you're saying... Maybe it's just that I don't have that particular problem since I don't go see many of the huge acts.

I would just feel weird to know that I was simply copying someone else who already does it better. In my head, there's always a disconnect, like it's not genuine; a knock off that isn't as good and doesn't have the same vision. Don't get me wrong, I love playing covers these days, but playing the same band all night, still seems weird to me.

[Anon La Ply]

Originally Posted by Souljacker

Nah, I think it's still pretty weird. I've seen it done for young bands that are still touring and aren't playing the massive venues you describe. Popular indie bands like Arctic Monkeys .

Oh, you're just being perverse, though I agree that an indie tribute band is very fanboy. Still, as an old rustbucket striving to regain some measure of competence I'm no position to criticise :)

Originally Posted by Dr_Watso

I guess I see what you're saying... Maybe it's just that I don't have that particular problem since I don't go see many of the huge acts.

I would just feel weird to know that I was simply copying someone else who already does it better. In my head, there's always a disconnect, like it's not genuine; a knock off that isn't as good and doesn't have the same vision. Don't get me wrong, I love playing covers these days, but playing the same band all night, still seems weird to me.

Last big 'un I saw was Steely Dan at the Entertainment Centre. Once again the Ent Cent's acoustics ruined it for me. What should have been intimate and nuanced was boomy to the point of bombast.

I wondered if it was just me, but the others felt the same. I can imagine a good session band providing a better Steely Dan experience in a club than what the real thing gave me. The Dan would have killed it at the Enmore Theatre, but I guess they have too many fans for that.

I couldn't care if it was Elvis, John, Paul, Jimi, Janis, Trane, Jim, Walter and Justin all rolled into one ... if it sounds boomy and you're watching it on a big screen what's the &^$%^ point? The joy of being in a crowd? The "experience"?? Being in the actual physical presence of the Chosen One?

I don't get it. Maybe I ain't got no soul? Ah got th' blues cos the devil's gone an' stole mah soul ... whoa whoa yeah

Much rather see a small fry group get in the zone in a small venue. I can see how there'd be a real art to working on a tribute act and there'd be a huge learning curve once you got to the details. I suspect that a lot of players do it as a developmental step to improve their professionalism. Takes a lot more discipline than I'm prepared to apply.

[larryace]

Originally Posted by wombat

Just for you Larry...A beatles tribute band doing Led Zeps "Stairway to Heaven"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WfoccRna6I

Part of an ongoing spoof of Stairway to Heaven including the loved or loathed rolf harris version hehe

Oh man it's like a womans head on a mans body. It's like stripes and plaids. It just doesn't go. That's just wrong. Lol.

[Dr_Watso]

Originally Posted by Anon La Ply

Much rather see a small fry group get in the zone in a small venue.

Yes. This is my heaven. I love seeing small local bands with heart and passion.

[Skitch]

Originally Posted by Dr_Watso

Yes. This is my heaven. I love seeing small local bands with heart and passion.

Tribute bands can do the same thing. The guitar player in Metal Shop Dallas is as good as I have ever played with and he is all heart and passion about that music and so am I; I should be as I grew up with it. Being a commercial success and having passion for the music isn't a mutually exclusive thing.

Mike

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[Skitch]

Originally Posted by Dr_Watso

I guess I see what you're saying... Maybe it's just that I don't have that particular problem since I don't go see many of the huge acts.

I would just feel weird to know that I was simply copying someone else who already does it better. In my head, there's always a disconnect, like it's not genuine; a knock off that isn't as good and doesn't have the same vision. Don't get me wrong, I love playing covers these days, but playing the same band all night, still seems weird to me.

Most of the customers aren't all that into music anymore; they are into being entertained. That being said, anything can get old and stale.

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
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[Skitch]

Originally Posted by bermuda

It really dsepends on the artist. Suppose the artist/band has a tremendous body of work, enough to fill a 90-min show, and the musicians love playing the music, and the audience will pay to see it... what's the waste in that? Granted, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I don't view it as a waste. When I play one or more songs by a well-known artist, it's fun for me. I get to "be" that drummer for a little while. It's not a fantasy, it's just fun. Who doesn't like playing music that they like?

Well, perhaps it's easy to have the perspective I do because I not only play in several original projects, but with Al, I get to be a LOT of drummers every night. But I would still consider a tribute project, and in fact, was involved with a Neil Diamond tribute that I thought had potential. It was fun to play songs I love, the way drummers I love played them. Not a waste at all.

Bermuda

It's like we were separated at birth!

Mike

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[Vegas Island]

Here's some great examples/vids of the Atomic Punks-Van Halen tribute band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ber55...AdI4D57TKicPcw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNGLl...AdI4D57TKicPcw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ved6P...AdI4D57TKicPcw