A tribute to tribute bands

[Jon Silberman]

The TGP phobia with tribute bands, to use the ultra-polite Quaker expression, would not occur to me. No one takes them for anything more or less than what they are: bands attempting to fairly accurately reproduce, live, the songs of the band they're covering.

For those people who say, why bother, you can stay home and listen to the records, what are you, off-the-charts Myers-Briggs introverts?! The social setting is part of the charm. Not to mention, it simply doesn't sound at all the same live versus on record, it wouldn't even if the Beatles were to come back to life and play again for you.

Can you possibly imagine someone saying, ever, "I'm not going to the symphony tonight. Tonight's concert is intended to be an accurate reproduction, using period instruments, of composer X. That's awful, I'd rather stay home and spin the CD?!"

Caught Dark Star Orchestra, the best Dead cover band in the world as far as I'm concerned, live Saturday night. What a blast! Same with Rain.

When the songs are wonderful to begin with, it makes all the difference in the world.

[Lance]

Here, here! I can't wait to go see Aussie Pink Floyd when they come to the Fillmore in December. I hear this show is just amazing. I've seen DSO quite a few times now, and have never been disappointed.

[weezy]

I saw DSO a few years ago and was blown away! I should also mention that i saw the Dead 40+ times so I knew what to listen for. I love how they reproduce entire shows.

I agree with your take on tribute bands but would add that there is a distinction between bands that just try to accurately reproduce the music and those that try hard to impersonate the original like a Vegas lounge act. I think both types of bands have their place depending on the act that they are paying tribute to, but they are different animals for sure.


Coincidentally, I'm currently in the first tribute band I've ever been in (Phish). It's more of a musical challenge/temporary project as we're all in different working bands but it's a lot of fun and our chops are better than ever as a result! I made a post about it a few weeks ago here. (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=458733)

CHEERS!

[stuagu]

im not against tribute bands, we all try to earn a living. i think the best iv seen is REGENESIS, gabriel era genesis in looks & dress & musicianship. dont know how much thatl mean to my friends on gp in the states, they were obviously big in the collins era, not my bag baby! but that early stuf is the biz.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

I dig em.


Some are soooo good that with a little imagination, you could think you are watching the real thing ..... :bong

[mprvise]

Caught Dark Star Orchestra, the best Dead cover band in the world as far as I'm concerned, live Saturday night. What a blast!

Yeah, DSO are fantastic. A bass player friend has done some work with Rob (or "fake Bobby" as he calls him). I had no idea until recently that in addition to playing Bobby, Rob has also done a bunch of other things, for instance...
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Rob+Eaton

[Gas-man]

Totally agree.

There's a band in Chicago that does a different band tribute every month.

Revolving players. Supposed to be great.

[shredtrash]

I was in a Motley Crue tribute for a couple of years. Those shows were a lot of fun for me and the audience. I'd play in another one in a NY minute.

[tone4days]

jon - did you get pee'd on by the NJ congressman? ... i hope you enjoyed the shows

t4d

[telemike]

There's a band in Chicago that does a different band tribute every month.

They're called Tributosaurus

http://www.tributosaurus.com/index.cfm

[Jon Silberman]

jon - did you get pee'd on by the NJ congressman? ... i hope you enjoyed the shows

t4d
LOL! That was Friday night, I went to the Saturday show. :p

[Bryan T]

I have a friend who plays in a Rush tribute band that is really good. They get booked around the world. I saw them play on a double bill with an AC/DC tribute band and was really entertained. If I recall correctly, the AC/DC band did "Highway to Hell" in its entirety. Not something you'll hear the real band do.

Bryan

[ctoddrun]

I'm in a Tool tribute...



We have our second show on Saturday night.


Dont know how many locals there are on TGP, but if you can make it out be sure to say hi.




From the last (first) show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCt3rTwIBMs

[MrMike]

I have a good friend that plays keys for The Steely Damned in San Diego. Walter Becker has been quoted as saying "Those guys do us better than we do!"

[Thwap]

I'm in...we just got tickets to the australian pink floyd, next month.

I'm stoked to see them.

[Tone_Terrific]

Can you possibly imagine someone saying, ever, "I'm not going to the symphony tonight. Tonight's concert is intended to be an accurate reproduction, using period instruments, of composer X. That's awful, I'd rather stay home and spin the CD?!"


Absolutely a-OK to do a tribute, clone, impersonation in my book, too.

There was a time when being able to do a Yes song 'just like the record' was like a rite of passage that I could never, will never achieve. Maybe it was the Dead for you, but to recreate a high level (to yourself) pro performance is a great step in being able to create your own performance.
I'm still impressed with bands that can bring CD level sound and performance to the stage. If they can generate something better that's good, too.

[shane88]

i wouldn't go to see a tribute band but if you're in one and you like it then good for you

[TommyMambo]

I appeared in a book about tribute bands that came out this year entitled "Like A Rolling Stone", which was a hilarious real life look at tribs. In it, the author, Steve Kurutz of the NY Times, follows the Blushing Brides and Sticky Fingers around with mixed results. It's a must read for any fans of trib bands.
http://bp1.blogger.com/_X2edefcqhOk/R5_7t0z13LI/AAAAAAAAAA8/djjM0zKCD3s/S660/9780385518901%5B1%5D.jpg

[demillso]

I just saw "the classic rock experience" a few weeks ago. It involved 3 tribute bands "Back in Black", "The Pink Floyd Experience", and "Led Zepplica". It was a lot more fun than sitting around and listening to the cd. Especially for 25 bucks or whatever, you can't get much closer. Back in Black and Led Zepplica were dead on. THe Pink Floyd experience left a lot to be desired but the guitar player was fantastic. I have seen the Aussie Pink Floyd show before and much prefer them. You guys who are going will be impressed. I would definitely go see them again.

[sausagefingers]

I've always wanted to see one of those Beatles-tributes.

It's the closest thing to the real thing we'll ever see, and that I was born too late for.

[BPSUL]

I've seen Appetite for Destruction a couple times and they F'ing rock.

And the best part about them? They look and sound like the original GNR lineup. No keyboards, no backup singers, none of that crap. They imitate GNR when (most fans will agree) GNR was at their best.

Even if GNR was still a band today they wouldn't be near as fun as their own tribute band.

[Dr. Jimmy]

I have fun in the two tribs I play in, but also supplement them with a regular cover band, as well as a project that does originals. The tribs only play a few times a year, while the cover band gets a lot more work. Being a huge Blackmore and Townshend fan for many many years makes playing in the tribs a piece of cake......

[sanhozay]

What's not to admire about people who are capable musicians and performers? The bookends of most uninformed critics are jealousy and contempt fostered by some sort of prejudice. But it's a free market and it would be sad, albeit a compelling prospect, to institute a litmus test for public thought.

[drgonzoguitar]

Totally agree.

There's a band in Chicago that does a different band tribute every month.

Revolving players. Supposed to be great.

Tributosaurus!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=236118749

When I lived in Chicago, my wife and I used to walk down the street to Martyrs to see them. They did a great Halloween Hendrix tribute a few years ago that just killed. The Band of Gypsy stuff was sooooo heavy.

Here is from the Queen show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etMLM8zFRM8