Tribute Bands

[RayL]

There was a thread in a national newspaper a few months back about people who had been to see tribute acts for low cost at small venues while thinking they were going to see the real thing. The biggest whingers seemed to be those who would make two short planks look slender.

Ray L

[cockroach]

A few thoughts for and against:

If people want to hear a live band perform as a tribute band, or a solo tribute to a particular artist etc...and will pay to do so, then there will always be an opportunity for working musicians to get a paid gig.

It could be limiting musically, not to say soul destroying artistically, to have to always play the same material exactly the same way, even perhaps wearing the same outfits!

It may be a way for a lot of folk to emulate their heroes and enjoy playing their favourite music.

If people have enough talent to do a tribute show etc, why not try writing and performing new original material, perhaps in a similar style?

(This was the perceptive question Bjorn of ABBA asked the people in the hugely popular and highly paid Australian ABBA tribute band, Bjorn Again, when he met them once- he said 'you're all obviously talented, you play well and sing well, you look good etc- why don't you write your own songs?'

(I have played in a Shads tribute band for a few special gigs- in fact we've got another such gig in late August, but I certainly wouldn't want to only play in such a band all the time..I once went to a Beatles tribute band audition to 'be George'- on the way home after the audition, my mate who went with me said..'You do realise that if you get this gig, it will be the end of The John Cochrane Show?!' I didn't hear back ('we'll let you know'...!) but I was relieved in a funny way, as I realised I would have missed doing my own thing with my trio!!!)

[MikeAB]

I regularly go to see Genesis tribute bands, especially 'G2', and feel the whole experience is a celebration of the music attended by die hard fans who can no longer can see the original band (which in any case had long ceased to play what longer term fans wanted to hear anyway). Members of Genesis seem to support these guys who work very hard to perfectly reproduce the complex music and I say more power to their elbows. I really put effort into seeing these concerts and am delighted they exist - I'm sure the same applies to other bands and their fans and after all, you don't expect Beethoven to attend the Proms do you?! Just wish more good Shads tribute bands appeared north of Watford Gap.

[Pedro]

So, if Hank Marvin plays a Shads tune in one of his concerts - he's a tribute artist? And if The Shadows play an old tune from the Jet & Tony days, do they temporarily become a tribute band?

Ken

I think you are stretching things a little. Jet & Tony were only present for the first 3/4 years. The Shadows are Hank,Bruce and Brian

[Squier Ken]

I plead guilty to "stretching things a little" (even a lot!). My comments were meant to be tongue-in-cheek.

The dictionary defines 'tribute' as something "...made in acknowledgment, gratitude, or admiration". So any band which has a tribute band should regard it as...er...a tribute.

Ken

[roninnes]

Mike,
Have a look at the thread from Jaybass re the Twylight Shadows, based in Cambridgeshire.
They are new but worth a listen.

Yes I am the drummer in the band and have been in a covers band for over 3 years but thought this would make a change.
If you are in the area you may want to come along next month to Godmanchester.

Ron

[Alan Prudhoe]

.................... after all, you don't expect Beethoven to attend the Proms do you?! ............

Heh Heh - Love it

[Mike Honey]

Surely its a similar situation to a football team? If I see Tottenham hotspur and it doesnt contain members of the 61 double winning team, they're still the spurs!. Pains me to say it but Arsenal are Arsenal no matter who plays for them.

Mike

[Jay Bass]

Hi
Tribute Bands / artists etc are fine As long as Any promo Makes it plain That you Are going to see a tribute and
Not the Real Thing.
As for making money I dont agree ,as mentioned by Mark Burton i too probaly spend more than i make over the year.
i do it because i love the music.and love performing the Music etc.
They can also help the original artist by inspiring people who may not have heard the original artists
to go and buy their cds dvds etc.
just my opinion

Jay
The Twylight shadows (Blatant Tribute Band)