Anyone play in a pro "tribute" act ? - Page 2

bassicinstinct · #21 05-13-2005, 12:46 PM

There are quite a few in the UK too.

B-NoteCowboy · #22 05-13-2005, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMASH

I feel pretty confident that KISS or Metallica lawyers would be in touch ... am I wrong?

Nope. At least not in the case of KISS. Metallica is more litigeous but I doubt with them either.

I have a budding KISS tribute project that is a hell of a lot of fun by the way. We did about 8 shows last year and are breaking in a new guitarist right now, but it is a blast.

My understanding is that KISS in particular encourages tribute bands because it does nothing but perpetuate their music, image, logos etc. etc. while they are off tour and Paul Stanley is getting another hip replacement.

They even have a message board on their official site devoted to tribute bands where people openly post gig schedules and musician wanted ads.

bassicinstinct · #23 05-15-2005, 05:19 AM

I've experienced exactly the same attitude from the Steely Dan camp who seem agreed on the fact that the handful of tribute acts on both sides of the Atlantic keeps the sales of the band's back catalogue bouyant.

Even more so in the case of an act like Pink Floyd IMHO. They have made it abundantly clear that they have no plans to ever appear live again so, in the absence of the numerous tributes dedicating themselves to Floyd material, there would be not exposure at all for any of their "product".

Win /Win situation I reckon.

bassicinstinct · #24 05-15-2005, 02:27 PM

I got into every Tribute act I've ever worked with by answering advertisements either online or in press. The only exception was a band who actually replied to my own ad online.

Another classic case of being in the right place at the right time I guess.

I did once send my CV to a handful of Agents who worked with Tributes but, to this day, I have never had any success using that method of approach.

ERIC31 · #25 05-15-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

My understanding is that KISS in particular encourages tribute bands because it does nothing but perpetuate their music, image, logos etc. etc. while they are off tour and Paul Stanley is getting another hip replacement.

Yeah well everyone knows that Gene Simmons is all about his MONEY so if tribute acts are making him $$$ in the form of record and merch sales, he's down with that.

Petebass · #26 05-15-2005, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMASH

I agree with this thinking, but am surprised if all bands see it the same way. Consider that the same argument can be made for downloading, and certainly not all artists see that as good exposure.

hmmmm, I don't know Smash. To me it seems that most (not all) of the artists who don't agree with downloading either own their own record labels, or are on ancient contracts that are so favourable that you won't see anything like them ever again. Most of the noise about downloading comes from the record labels and from a handfull of artists who have been brainwashed by their labels. Most artists make very little money from the sale of a CD and therefore couldn't care less. To them a CD sale is another potential concert ticket + merchandise sold etc that constitutes a bulk of how the band members make their money. Again it's all about exposure.

Stradosfella · #27 05-15-2005, 06:43 PM

Unless of course they own their own label.

Petebass · #28 05-15-2005, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stradosfella

Unless of course they own their own label.

I did cover that.

Planet Boulder · #29 05-17-2005, 08:48 AM

Here's a link to a good, touring Phish tribute band based in my area. They've been going strong for a few years now and you can download their shows off of etree.

Meyekul · #30 05-20-2005, 08:53 AM

Battery is an awesome Metallica tribute band. They opened for Metallica on the Garage Inc tour; Battery started it out with Metallica covers, then Metallica played covers of other people.

http://www.disasterarea.org

bonscottvocals · #31 05-20-2005, 12:22 PM

I think I understand your concerns: that if you are a tribute act and you are dressing, acting, playing, and portraying the original band, the original band should deserve a cut. Let's take a look at what the tribute band gives both the audience and the original performers (as long as they are doing the tribute well):

1. Any fan who is willing to spend $30 at ticket to see a tribute band probably has most of their albums. They get to live the same fantasy as the members of the tribute band themselves, and that is that the real band is on stage. Whether this is the Stones, Who, Judas Priest, AC/DC, or any number of tribute acts, the fantasy is there. This is what the people are paying for: the immersion in a fantasy. Up close pictures of the band members always show flaws in their appearance, but they try best they can to look, sound, and act like the original for the crowd.

2. Any band that has a tribute act is getting tons of publicity. If you think about it, Judas Priest, the Stones, and AC/DC can easily make several times the amount that a tribute act makes; and any venue in its right mind would rather have the real thing. But the real bands can't make the hike to regular gigs in the same continent, much less the same state or town, so they're not losing money to these tribute bands. Elvis, Beatles, Sinatra, etc... tributes are only helping to further record sales and royalties for the survivors.

Most tribute acts that command a high ticket price are very good. The costumes, music, and actions are dead ringers for the real thing. If this was a problem, why would people like Page, McCartney, Halford, Jagger, Young, and other original members of these bands come and get their pictures taken with them? Many of them go on record and give praise publically for the tribute bands.

Really good tribute bands have really high overhead too. Their gear is often vintage, and that doesn't come cheap. Lights, sound, equipment, techs, roadies, hands, web sites, costumes, makeup, photo shoots, etc. It's not all wine and roses either. It can really be a full-time job. Don't be fooled by the $ signs on the checks, there's a lot more overhead than 4 guys beating out worn-out covers in an every day bar band when you're doing a tribute.

bonscottvocals · #32 05-20-2005, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMASH

Another question :

How do people get into these types of acts, especially if they're already established - send a promo pack to their management or booking agencies I guess?

I answered an online ad. "Tribute band X is looking for singer." Hello, I hear you're looking for a singer, may I come and audition? "Tribute band X has found a singer. Thanks to all who applied." Simple as that.

[I'm a bass player in a country/western band as well.]