Can a Tribute Band succeed without the costumes?

[bassgod76]

I've always thought of a tribute as a band that exclusively plays one band's material and tries to replicate their show. A cover band isn't bound by one band. Just my .02

[mrpackerguy]

Originally Posted by bluewine

The better tribute bands in Milwaukee (U2 Zoo & The Brittins) are doing 3k shows and up.

Both bands have made huge investments in the best gear, costuming and elaborate sound.

Blue

Yea, I'm not interested in going there. I get approaching that for corporate/weddings for our 7 piece group.

[fraublugher]

What about a Zeppelin tribute band ? [without 1974 being an option]

1968 carnagie street or ....?

[Flyingfrets]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Your probably better off not costuming. I think it's incredibly hard to pull off the Stones look.

Blue

Only ever saw one who pulled it off really well (Sticky Fingers) and that's gotta be close to 30 years ago. Zep is another one that I've only seen pulled off well once (Heartbreaker out of CA), but for sound, nobody tops Get The Led Out. They don't do the costumes, but my God, the sound! Really top shelf stuff.

The Austalian Pink Floyd show is another one that nails the sound, lights, the whole 9 yards. The investment they've got tied up in equipment is astronomical, but Gilmore & Waters have actually guested at some of their shows...they're that good.

[rimbaud]

OTOH Pink Floyd style doesn't require specific costume. I'm auditionning for a french Pink Floyd tribute band, I now realize that, with their manager, we have talk about: sound, effects, precision bass, lights, .... but no costumes' talk !! at all !!

Anyway, not a problem I love wearing black shirts, blues jeans and "simple" shoes


so, if you worry about wearing silly vintage Beatles things (), choose the pink side, no worry at all !!

[twocargar]

While I haven't seen them live, I did see them on TV and was a bit disappointed-- especially after seeing a video of Dream Theater do DSOTM.

Back to the topic, does this mean we need to buy robes for our Rush tribute band?

Originally Posted by Flyingfrets

The Austalian Pink Floyd show is another one that nails the sound, lights, the whole 9 yards. The investment they've got tied up in equipment is astronomical, but Gilmore & Waters have actually guested at some of their shows...they're that good.

[Flyingfrets]

Originally Posted by twocargar

While I haven't seen them live, I did see then on TV and was a bit disappointed-- especially after seeing a video of Dream Theater do DSOTM.

I'm actually not much of a Floyd fan, but one of my nephews is. Saw them with him in Philly around Halloween 2006. I was impressed enough that I bought their tour DVD after the show. Was a nice memory of the evening (recording, production values & mixing all excellent), but nowhere even close to being there.

Originally Posted by twocargar

Back to the topic, does this mean we need to buy robes for our Rush tribute band?

Yes. And some clothes dryers. Or a sausage factory.

[QORC]

I hate to be redundant, but this type of thread seems to pop up regularly.

I've been in a very successful tribute band for 5 years now. We travel. We mostly play festivals and larger venues. We've played in front of as many as 10,000 people. We get paid well. Plus, we have done a lot of things with numerous other tributes. So I know a little bit about this subject.

In my opinion, with some real exceptions, the tributes that look AND sound like the real band do much better than a tribute that just sounds like them or just looks like them.

There are other factors that determine "success" -- including picking the right tribute in the right market -- but I've heard this debate before, and yeah, if you can pull off the look too, you are in a much better position to do well in the market.

If you're just doing a band's material but not trying to replicate the look of the band and their show, you're really just a cover band. Nothing wrong with that.

of course, it depends on how you define "success".

[QORC]

Originally Posted by bassgod76

I've always thought of a tribute as a band that exclusively plays one band's material and tries to replicate their show. A cover band isn't bound by one band. Just my .02

exactly

[Flyingfrets]

Then how does one define the bands (like mine) that exclusively play one artists material, but don't replicate their show/ costumes?

BTW, we play very few bars. Mostly dinner clubs, amusement parks, etc. $$ hasn't been anything to sneeze at either. Could that dry up? Sure, but as long as there are gigs that are willing to pay, I'm willing to play.

[QORC]

Well, that's kind of hard to say -- It's more like "A Tribute to the Music of (fill in the blank)" than a true "tribute" band.

But the label doesn't matter. It depends on what YOU wish to get out of it. If you are happy with the sort of gigs you have, great!

but I think the question was something like, "Do tributes have to look like the real band?"

Answer: No. but it helps. Those that look and sound like the real band get further than those that just sound like the real band.

[hrodbert696]

Just to agree with some others - there's a pretty successful (as near as I can tell) Beatles tribute band in our area, we've seen them a couple times. They do bill themselves as "A Tribute to the Music of the Beatles," and like others that have posted, they play the songs pretty much note-for-note and with similar instruments to the original (bassist uses a Hofner viola bass for the early Beatles tunes and a Rickenbacker for the later ones, for instance), they make no effort to dress like the Beatles. In fact, they split the singing duties based on whose voice fits the song best - one of the guitarists sings some of Macca's tunes, etc.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Flyingfrets

Then how does one define the bands (like mine) that exclusively play one artists material, but don't replicate their show/ costumes?

BTW, we play very few bars. Mostly dinner clubs, amusement parks, etc. $$ hasn't been anything to sneeze at either. Could that dry up? Sure, but as long as there are gigs that are willing to pay, I'm willing to play.

I would say you are in a band specific cover band.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by QORC

Answer: No. but it helps. Those that look and sound like the real band get further than those that just sound like the real band.

For me, if your not investing in the look, your not a true full production tribute band.

Off topic:

There are many bands that don't have a look so I'm not sure how that works. For example The Eagles or Billy Joel.

Also there were bands that were iconic in many ways, but might have only a couple of recognizable songs. I would say not a good choice for a tribute band.

Blue

[Flyingfrets]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I would say you are in a band specific cover band.

Blue

A new musical genre! Is there a club around here for that?!!?

[Staredge]

I love the Fab Faux. I tried to do the same type of thing just for fun, but couldn't make it happen.

I don't like the costuming. I know Rain is supposed to be a really good band, but I couldn't get past a bunch of old guys dressed up like the early Beatles. Was just a distraction.

[fishtx]

I live in Dallas, and you can't sling a dead cat in this town without hitting a tribute band...Most do use costumes, and frankly some are pretty good (Back in Black, Guns for Roses, etc...)...I would say to present the full package, you may need to get into character....

[DarkCanuck]

While the costume is not a full requirement, I would imagine it will be a lot harder to compete with other tribute acts in your area who do go the whole nine yards with it.

[ajpaul59]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

Just to agree with some others - there's a pretty successful (as near as I can tell) Beatles tribute band in our area, we've seen them a couple times. They do bill themselves as "A Tribute to the Music of the Beatles," and like others that have posted, they play the songs pretty much note-for-note and with similar instruments to the original (bassist uses a Hofner viola bass for the early Beatles tunes and a Rickenbacker for the later ones, for instance), they make no effort to dress like the Beatles. In fact, they split the singing duties based on whose voice fits the song best - one of the guitarists sings some of Macca's tunes, etc.

We do the same and it works out pretty well for us. The only difference is I play the hofner for early period and teh rooftop set, but I play a fender precision deluxe or a short scale cutom made eko for the later period stuff. I'm one of those guys who just can't get into Rics... Wish I could but I just don't feel comfortable playing them...

[TRichardsbass]

If you are a tribute band there is an expectation by the audience that you will bring the look as well as the music. There is a band here called the "'80s Hair Metal Tribute Band" and while they play a variety of Hair Band music, they dress like a Hair Band. They pull of the songs well, but not perfect, however when you combine the look its a huge draw.

Even the Fab Faux wear costumes when they do public performances that are reminiscent of the Beatles stage wear.

Obviously, if you are all bald, fat men trying to be an Allman Bros tribute band, there will be a visual disconnect. Fortunately for me bald and punk sort of go together like peanut butter and jelly...