Tribute Heaven
 

A Tribute Debate - Kevin, Bristol Rocks
 
I sent a note around about Tribute bands, it is below.
 
A lot of musicians in original bands are scathing about tribute bands & I get some unkind comments from some. 
My thoughts are this:
A good tribute band can be as good or better than the original.
You can get to see them in a small venue instead of from the back of an arena.
There is nothing better than rocking out to a favourite band playing classic songs.
Where else will you get to see Led Zep or ACDC play? A couple of pints, an awesome tribute band and it could almost be the real thing, except it's better because they are just in front of you playing live.
 
Your comments are here:
 
yeah  must be boring as hell playing in one though .. you have to do spot on karaoke versions of the same 12 hits ... or that's what a tribute band that I know found ... very limiting unless you do Rolling Stones or Beatles or someone else with a big back catalogue .. but imagine never being able to drop into mustang Sally or brown Eye
Girl .:)
 

Original bands have always been snobs about cover bands as well   I say the more bands and variety the better there’s room for ALL
And remember all you young guns when that deal never happens or you’ve had 15 mins of fame……..
You’ll probably end up in a covers band like the rest of us because it better than not Playing at all

 
There are tribute bands....and then there is Lime House Lizzy!  the only word I can think of is phenomenal. I saw Lizzy themselves four times and Lime House were better than the first three times I saw the original.
 
Also!!!!! I took my lad to see Magic, the Queen Tribute band. As Freddie died when Aaron was 7 years old it would be the closest he would ever get! They packed out the Hippodrome.
 
I think that tribute bands have a place and a purpose, and I have GOT to go and see The Jamm.
 
I think that people's (by that I mean local bands) frustration and dare I say envy comes from the fact that the punters will pile out for a good tribute on a Saturday night, but the rest of us bands have to content to the unpopular nights mid week, that's why so many of us are beginning to 'sell out' and play covers in venues that actually want us.
 
I suppose that in the end, it's pretty much a 21st century version of the old music halls, where everybody got to sing along to their favourite toons.
 
As they say, if you can't beat them join them.....The Mudheads do Greenday.....that's got a nice ring to it don't you think!
 
Tribute bands?
I think tribute bands serve their purpose – for Mardi Gras events, stag nights, weddings, that kind of thing – where people (who are essentially not  musicians) just want to be entertained.
I think most musicians however, would demand something challenging and original. But then again, music isn’t just there to be enjoyed by musicians.

However, what I do find very sad, is that one-time decent venues such as ‘The Fleece’ have just become regular venues for tribute bands. This seems due to the fact that they aren’t interested in booking original bands unless they bring an audience with them! And THAT  is the unfortunate paradox – surely the whole point in playing gigs is to play to NEW people?
 
I have to agree with you on your comments about tribute bands, although you forgot say
what a good experience it is for learning how to be a pro player for the musicians involved. I played in a very successful tribute for three years about ten years ago and it gave me fantastic experience of live playing how to work hard as a band, using equipment properly and working with a proper sound crew.
I also regularly played to audiences of between 500 to 1500,and on one occasion 2500.Also travelled a lot and made good money and had a laugh (most of the time). Doing original stuff you've got to be pretty successful to be playing those sort of gigs and I think that is maybe where the gripe really lies.
If people wanna see it then its an ok way to earn money.
 
 
 

 

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