Serious question on 'Tribute Bands'

[blue4]

I have nothing against anyone playing music, but just for my own tastes I prefer to see a band that does not attempt to recreate the stage show or attire of the band they are covering. For me, it's more distracting then anything else.


Again, I'm not criticizing. Just my own personal preference. There's a big market for good tribute bands.

 

[Holdsg]

I'm trying to get into a Who tribute band, subbing on keys.
The bass player is band leader, so I don't really have a chance to sub there much.
But I like it because I don't have to dress the part (other than "stage nice") because the keys were always behind the scenes for or those 4.
The other guys dress the part, and the singer looks like Roger, curly blond hair and all (not a wig!) and likes to show his abs.
It is all about the show, isn't it.


And the more I am learning the keys parts to these songs, the more I am impressed with the brilliance of Pete Townsend. Replicating the sequenced synth parts in songs like Baba O'Riley, and Won't Get Fooled Again on modern instruments is more challenging than I care to admit. I like it, though, that the band does not want to play to a backing track, they still want live keys.

 

[electracoyote]

I could not shake the feeling that these musicians were living someone else's career.

Well, to be fair, all three bands were living someone else's career to a great extent, regardless of how close they were imitating.

The more important question in my mind is, as entertainers, were they addressing a need by a distinct target audience? Because these musicians, by making the decision to mimic an established band, are making a sacrifice to be great entertainers, assuming the market is there.

I always avoid fixating and critiquing a band by what's going on up on the stage. I always look around the room to the patrons, booking entity, and venue owner to make the determination as to whether what the band is doing is "worthwhile."

If these musicians are selling tickets, getting people in the room, keeping them there, and entertaining them, IMHO, they are doing their job. Who am I to judge or downgrade them based on how they're doing it?

The opinionated working musicians in the audience are <1% of the people in the room. Smart bands play to the other >99% of the people in the room.

 

[petrus61]

You can potentially ruin their vicariously lived careers with one phone call to ASCAP if it really bothers you. I don't have a problem with any cover/tribute act that doesn't use elements of the band in question's franchise in their marketing, but those that do need to pay the piper.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I used to laugh at Elvis impersonators. Now it seems like everybody is an Elvis impersonator.
I'm not completely knocking it, but I'm personally more comfortable being in a genre band (in my band's case, soul music) than doing a "tribute" that involves an impersonation. It sometimes seems very silly to me, as in the case of all the 65-year-old American men dressing up as 25-year-old Liverpudlians.
I would agree, however, that there's a market for some of these acts and there are a few really good ones out there.

 

[bassbully]

I have no interest whatsoever in being in a Tribute band it's just not my thing. I will say I admire some of the good trib bands I have seen. Some are very entertaining and pull off the look and sound very well

 

[ctpunk]

I find it odd when they exist for bands that are still quite relevant and still tour. Like a Foo Fighters tribute band for instance. Kinda odd but just my opinion.

 

[Hounddog409]

I went to a gig last week featuring cover/tribute bands. There were three, and I'm going to be general here rather than specific.

Of the three bands, one had taken the stance of being a very good band who played the songs (very authentically) of their favourite band, but didn't really go for the dressing up/looking/acting like them.

The other two bands were going for the full tilt dressing up/speaking like them.

All were great musicians.
My concern (and I'd love to hear from people who are in such bands) is that although I greatly enjoyed hearing all the songs in a live setting, and they were performed beautifully, I could not shake the feeling that these musicians were living someone else's career.
The first band didn't strike me that way, but the other two did.
What say you?

Just to add: Some wonderful guest musicians appeared that night. They were either former members, or current members of the actual acts being portrayed, so that's somewhat of an endorsement by the originals.

in my opinion. Again in MY OPINION. I hate tribute bands and think it's lame. I would also never waste my time to go see a tribute band.

I do enjoy seeing a band perform, be it general covers, original, or a mix.

Will never understand this whole tribute thing. Why limit the songs? And why in the name of all that is holy, would you dress up like another band?

Just not my thing.

*********disclaimer****** The opinions expressed in the post are strictly mine and did not intend on offending anyone or getting any panties in a bunch. No animals where harmed in the making of this post.

 

[Stumbo]

If you look like a popular musician and can sing/play like them, more power to you. Why not take advantage of it and make some money in a tribute band?

 

[wolfkeller]

If you look like a popular musician and can sing/play like them, more power to you. Why not take advantage of it and make some money in a tribute band?

In many cases, a hell of alot more money to be made that playing original music live.

 

[RoadRanger]

In many cases, a hell of alot more money to be made that playing original music live.

Even a freebee cover gig is a hell of a lot more than a $50/man PTP gig .

 

[lokikallas]

I play in a tribute for Judas Priest. The guys wear wigs and the whole deal. We are playing the songs that Priest hasn't been able to play for 20 years because our singer can still hit all the notes.

 

[LT131]

I like hearing bands play Beatles tunes but I don't really care for the dressing up and talking like The Beatles tribute bands. However Elvis impersonators are a whole nuther thang

You just can't have too many Kangs! Thank kyew, Thank kyew verrr mush!

 

[LT131]

You can potentially ruin their vicariously lived careers with one phone call to ASCAP if it really bothers you. I don't have a problem with any cover/tribute act that doesn't use elements of the band in question's franchise in their marketing, but those that do need to pay the piper.

How do you know they don't? It would seem pretty risky for a bunch of guys to make an investment and a commitment to a serious tribute band without doing the legal side also.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Both are valid. No one does Beatles music better than the Fab Faux. Australian Pink Floyd go for the whole concert experience.

It's just entertainment.

 

[petrus61]

How do you know they don't? It would seem pretty risky for a bunch of guys to make an investment and a commitment to a serious tribute band without doing the legal side also.

A serious tribute act would do that. I'm not talking about serious tribute acts. I'm talking about the guys that claim to be as much and skate by on it for years without a complaint because of the medium sized venues run by questionable management teams that continue to book them. They're out there.

 

[40Hz]

It's just a specialized case of supply meeting demand AFAIC. If somebody's willing to watch and listen, it's all good. Even if I'm not the one who's going to watch or listen.

If a tribute band floats your boat, buy a ticket and enjoy the show. No fault, no foul in that.

 

[QweziRider]

I could not shake the feeling that these musicians were living someone else's career.

I'm in just such things, most are meh, one in particular is out of this world scary good. I look at it this way (well...a few ways): it's no different, to me, than orchestral music (especially with artists who are no longer living or working). You can't hear the originals anymore, so what better way that to keep it alive through tribute acts?

I used to think of it as a rather cheesy thing. Kind of like you said, living through someone else' dream. But after doing it for a decade and seeing how audiences love a lot of it, hearing things again they can't from the originals, I've lost that thinking. Besides, if people are willing to pay very well for tickets, who am I to not take their money?

 

[Stumbo]

That why it's called the "entertainment" industry.

 

[Renaissance]

I play in an Eagles tribute. Our focus is the music, we don't dress up or try to "be" the Eagles. I don't think I'm channeling Schmit or Meisner - in fact - I have no desire to be either one. If some other tribute band wants to dress up and "be" the artist, it doesn't bother me. It all depends on the market you're trying to capture and, of course what blows your skirt up. Personally I don't care for "dress up" bands. Given two musically equal tribute bands - one dressed, one not - I'd choose the non-dressed band. Just my preference.

I enjoy playing the music and I enjoy being around focused musicians. I enjoy being a part of a team working on a common goal. We have decided what our product is going to be and now we're working to sell it to the public, all while having a little fun ourselves. Tribute bands appeal to a different kind of musician IMHO.

I think this is standard issue TB. We make it a much bigger issue than it really is. "Civilians" want to go out and have a good time. Some nights it's pizza, beer, and a movie. Other nights it's pizza, beer, and a band. Hopefully our tribute band is enticing enough to pull 'em in on the band nights!