Queen Cover Band

MonsterBass101 · #1 06-17-2008, 09:33 AM

So i came here to get some advice from the other TBers. So do you guys think that a Queen Cover Band could do well. I dont mean to make it huge or anything, just as a fun side project. Maybe play a few gigs and such make a little extra cash. So What do you think.

coxeymcqueen · #2 06-17-2008, 09:42 AM

I'm not really in to tribute bands but there are a couple of Queen tribute acts in the UK that are massively supported and are very popular. They are QEII and Mercury. The best tribute bands always do well. Especially if the original artists have just done a comeback tour...

If you're going to be a tribute band you have to copy the original act as much as you possibly can. People will expect you to look and sound like sound like the real thing...

If your singer can't carry off the Freddie moustache and your guitarist is more Brian Blessed than Brian May then you might struggle...

You could always turn it on it's head though and just play Queen songs in your own style. That might work better if you just want to do it as a bit of fun.

Good luck!

fishtx · #3 06-17-2008, 09:43 AM

There is a local Dallas area "Queen" cover band called "Queen for a Day"...and they are book all the time. I haven't heard them personally, but have heard from others they are really good...

Queen was such a great band that this is a huge undertaking to really do well (ie lead and harmony vocals, and guitars). I'm going to state the obvious here...but to pull this off, you "must" have a singer that can do the Freddie thing, and a guitar player that can do the Brian May thing...

QORC · #4 06-17-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonsterBass101

So i came here to get some advice from the other TBers. So do you guys think that a Queen Cover Band could do well. I dont mean to make it huge or anything, just as a fun side project. Maybe play a few gigs and such make a little extra cash. So What do you think.

Yes, that would be a good one to choose

it would be easier to sound like them than to look and sound like them (eg, are you a dwarf with a moustache that looks good in spandex?).

but yes, in Florida at least, tribute bands are huge and if you choose one as iconic as them and carry it off well, you'll do well.

Phalex · #5 06-17-2008, 09:46 AM

The harmonies would probably be the deal breaker for a project like that. Vocals are key.

MonsterBass101 · #6 06-17-2008, 09:49 AM

Thanks for the advice Guys. Actually our guitardist is very Brian Mayish. but i think it will be more of putting our spin of the songs. Maybe a more Motown spin. Im just getting bored with not having a band and all so you know.

Bruce Lindfield · #7 06-17-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonsterBass101

So i came here to get some advice from the other TBers. So do you guys think that a Queen Cover Band could do well. I dont mean to make it huge or anything, just as a fun side project. Maybe play a few gigs and such make a little extra cash. So What do you think.

I think you will struggle to find anybody who can sing any of the vocals!

sarcastro83 · #8 06-17-2008, 09:55 AM

I think you should be a combination tribute act. Call yourselves "Queen of Spades" and do only Queen and Motorhead covers.

Seriously, a Queen tribute band would be really hard to pull off, but if you can, do it up.

Unrepresented · #9 06-17-2008, 10:00 AM

Yeah, the vocals would be a huge challenge, as would the arrangements. Queen spent a lot of time in the studio and did a lot of complex multilayered pieces and used a lot of studio tricks. Hell, even live QUEEN relied on prerecorded tracks to do their stuff right, which would suggest that it would be a true challenge for a live band to pull off.

That said, I'd absolutely love to be in one too, Queen's one of my favorite bands.

JPaulGeddy · #10 06-17-2008, 11:19 AM

Queen's definitely one of those where people would be expecting the look. Some, it really doesn't matter.

I just got out of a Rush trib. band, but as I came to find out, really wasn't a 'tribute' band. When people see 'tribute', they expect the full-meal deal. Look, gear, mannerisms, etc. We just focused on the music, with very little effort paid towards the look. But then, Rush fans aren't as picky about the 'look'. Queen fans would expect it.

Depending on your focus, might call it more something like 'the music of Queen' rather than a tribute.

fdeck · #11 06-17-2008, 06:49 PM

I have a friend who had a Yes tribute band. It was a labor of love for the players, who had all independently taught themselves the entire Yes book.

WashburnBasser · #12 06-17-2008, 07:08 PM

I saw a Queen tribute band near me called "Almost Queen". They were amazing! The singer even looked like Freddie, and the guitarist looked like Brian May. Best part was the guitarist called himself "Brian Maybe"!

dj150888 · #13 06-18-2008, 03:46 AM

I wish you guys the best of luck with this! I'm a huge Queen fan and if I'm honest, I've never been impressed by a Queen tribute, solely because Freddie is quite possibly one of the best singers to have graced the world of rock, a very difficult man to emulate. If you have someone who can sing like that, well done and it'd be a crime not to get it together!

joninjapan · #14 06-18-2008, 07:25 AM

Queen has a huge following here in Japan...

this is the first tribute band: KWEEN started just after the death of Freddie Mercury.

KWEEN on Youtube

the lead singer is a brave man...

dj150888 · #15 06-18-2008, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joninjapan

Queen has a huge following here in Japan...

this is the first tribute band: KWEEN started just after the death of Freddie Mercury.

KWEEN on Youtube

the lead singer is a brave man...

....thats the reason I don't like most Queen tributes. They're not bad individually or anything....but they're not Queen

Main vocals and backing vocals are horrible

tapehead · #16 06-19-2008, 08:14 AM

[quote=fishtx;5868875]There is a local Dallas area "Queen" cover band called "Queen for a Day"...and they are book all the time. I haven't heard them personally, but have heard from others they are really good...

Definately check out Queen For A Day....They are on myspace and youtube....I've seen them a few times and they nail it...I've seen Queen tribute bands on youtube from around the world and these guys are the best.