Can a Tribute Band succeed without the costumes?

[BlueMood]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I think it depends how authentic you want to be.

Me? I'm all for playing the music and dressing however I want.

I agree 100%. My pet peeve with tribute bands is they usually try to dress and act like the band. It's a total distraction to me. I know I'm not actually looking at Keith Richards.

Be yourself, and try to sound like him. I'll enjoy it much more that way.

[Mr. Sound]

The term "tribute" is vague enough to cover what ever you want it to!
Sound alikes, dress alikes, exact replicas, heavily influenced bys?
Is Wolfmother a Zepplin tribute band, although all their songs are original?
I had the idea of a tibute band's tribute band, but I bet it's already been done.

Powerful warlike bands could extract a tribute from defenceless neighbours.

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sound

The term "tribute" is vague enough to cover what ever you want it to!
Sound alikes, dress alikes, exact replicas, heavily influenced bys?
Is Wolfmother a Zepplin tribute band, although all their songs are original?
I had the idea of a tibute band's tribute band, but I bet it's already been done.

Powerful warlike bands could extract a tribute from defenceless neighbours.

tb hall of fame post.

[plankspanker13]

To address the OP's question: It really depends on the artists being given the tribute. In the case of Elvis, yes, the look and mannerisms were part of his original appeal, and thus, would be critical. In the case of other artists, particularly bands that were known for things other than their looks, it might not matter, so much. The larger the original band, the less-important the look. It might be more important for a Police tribute band to have a blonde bassist, with somewhat spiked hair, than it would be for a Yes tribute to have personnel who look like the original band. In the latter instance, sound is the most important ingredient (indeed, any prog-rock tribute is going to be primarily sound-focused, although an exception might be a Rush tribute). I'm doing my best to get a tribute going for a certain keyboard-based trio, where the singing bassist is somewhat stocky, whereas I'm on the slim side. What matters more is that I can play and sound like him.

[PDQbass]

I hope you guys playing Hofners in Beatle bands are left handed. Right handed Maccas look all wrong somehow.

[mrpackerguy]

Originally Posted by plankspanker13

To address the OP's question: It really depends on the artists being given the tribute. In the case of Elvis, yes, the look and mannerisms were part of his original appeal, and thus, would be critical. In the case of other artists, particularly bands that were known for things other than their looks, it might not matter, so much. The larger the original band, the less-important the look. It might be more important for a Police tribute band to have a blonde bassist, with somewhat spiked hair, than it would be for a Yes tribute to have personnel who look like the original band. In the latter instance, sound is the most important ingredient (indeed, any prog-rock tribute is going to be primarily sound-focused, although an exception might be a Rush tribute). I'm doing my best to get a tribute going for a certain keyboard-based trio, where the singing bassist is somewhat stocky, whereas I'm on the slim side. What matters more is that I can play and sound like him.

interesting perspective that I probably agree with

[Fair Warning]

A couple of the best LA trib's (Which Ones Pink (Pink Floyd), DSB (Journey)who are now national acts dont look anythink like the real thing but more than make up for it in the music.

So the answer is yes.

[Raymeous]

Without a question my favorite tribute band has to be "The Iron Maidens".

http://www.theironmaidens.com/band/bio.html

Yes it's exactly what it sounds like: an all girl band playin' Maiden! Whats not to love?

Their line up has changed over the years but regardless they put on a hell of a show including lots of the halmarks of an Iron Maiden concert complete with British flag waiving during The Trooper, and a Somewhere in Time era Eddie that walks out on stage. There are a few clips on YouTube. It's a great time if you get a chance to see them.

Oh and not only are the girls beautiful, and talented musicians, they have been absolute sweethearts the times I've had the chance to sit and chat with them.

[Mr. Sound]

Originally Posted by PDQbass

I hope you guys playing Hofners in Beatle bands are left handed. Right handed Maccas look all wrong somehow.

How about all lefties, except the macca?
I even have a name. The Beatlefts

[ERIC31]

The best tribute act I've ever seen was ATOMIC PUNKS (DLR era Van Halen) out of SoCal in 2010. They nailed the music and the look (except for the drummer who looked normal). It was amazing and they sounded way better than the current real version of VH plus they played deep cuts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JIJTJOCzFM

I was in a Joan Jett tribute band for a couple years. Our "Joan" looked the part but didn't play guitar. The rest of us looked like ourselves. LOL

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by ERIC31

The best tribute act I've ever seen was ATOMIC PUNKS (DLR era Van Halen) out of SoCal in 2010. They nailed the music and the look (except for the drummer who looked normal). It was amazing and they sounded way better than the current real version of VH plus they played deep cuts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JIJTJOCzFM

I was in a Joan Jett tribute band for a couple years. Our "Joan" looked the part but didn't play guitar. The rest of us looked like ourselves. LOL

i went to school w/the former "eddie" and also former/current "alex"... small world.

[Pet Sounds]

I agree a lot of it is down to how much the public associates a given look to a band. Elvis and KISS, yes. Steely Dan and The Eagles, maybe not so much.
I'm in a "genre band," not a tribute. We play soul music. The clothes a lot of the '60s soul artists wore haven't dated well, so you wouldn't really want to replicate them. Plus, some of us are white. We're not trying to do a direct visual copy, just deliver credible music. It has worked well for us for more than a decade. We do dress alike, in flashy stage shirts, but don't agonize over impersonation. I can see why some bands do, though.

[AMp'D.2play]

Originally Posted by plankspanker13

I'm doing my best to get a tribute going for a certain keyboard-based trio, where the singing bassist is somewhat stocky, whereas I'm on the slim side.

ELP?

[QORC]

Originally Posted by Pet Sounds

I agree a lot of it is down to how much the public associates a given look to a band. Elvis and KISS, yes. Steely Dan and The Eagles, maybe not so much.

This. Yes, it does depend on the tribute you're doing. But in general, those that look and sound like the real band do better than those that just sound like the real band, but if the band doesn't have an iconic "look", it matters somewhat less. If they DO have an iconic look, then you'd better look the part or people will find you lacking and bookings will become more difficult.

[powderfinger]

Ive only seen tribute bands where I thought costumes really made a difference..

One was a KISS tribute band I saw years back. All 4 guys had the costumes/face paint, and it made the show, IMO. The other was a Beatles tribute. It was just neat seeing the 4 guys play the 1st set in black suits, and the 2nd set in Sgt Pepper era costumes. But on the whole, costumes arent necessary.

Infact, I saw a Stones tribute once where the drummer was African American, and the Keith Richards guy was old enough to be the real Richard's grandpa. And they were jam up!

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by mikegug

It drives me nuts when the members of a Beatles tribute band, with dead on costuming, have drastically different facial features and body types of the original band members. I know they can't help it, but it's a pet peeve of mine.

No on wants to watch an Eskimo Paul, for instance. At least I don't. It's very distracting! No offense to our Eskimo brethren... Thank you for playing left-handed though. Much appreciated!

Im assuming African American Charlie Watts wouldnt have been to your liking then?

[NightTripper]

I would absolutely love to be in a Beatles cover band, but not a tribute band. The costuming and fake accents are always so cheesy. I guess it could be fun though. I just prefer putting my own spin on things to make a fresh interpretation rather than a cheap imitation.

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by NightTripper

I would absolutely love to be in a Beatles cover band, but not a tribute band. The costuming and fake accents are always so cheesy. I guess it could be fun though. I just prefer putting my own spin on things to make a fresh interpretation rather than a cheap imitation.

even if it's not "fresh" i'd much rather sound like me, whatever that means.

[mikegug]

Originally Posted by NightTripper

I would absolutely love to be in a Beatles cover band, but not a tribute band. The costuming and fake accents are always so cheesy. I guess it could be fun though. I just prefer putting my own spin on things to make a fresh interpretation rather than a cheap imitation.

I've always wanted to do Clash tribute band, but none of the Clash had bellies so I'm out of the running there.

I really think a Clash tribute would work. Kids would "discover" musical roots (at least one of the first layers of the roots).