Tribute bands - looks

[Remoman]

A buddy of mine is gigging and touring constantly with a couple of tribute bands. One is very much into looking the part (to the point of wigs and fake beards at a few top shows) and playing the proper looking instrument. So out of his collection of fine basses including a couple of Alembics, he's making his most money on a Danelectro Longhorn. The other band isn't nearly as stickler, but he has a white Fender P bass and that fits the bill.

I think looking the part as best you reasonably can adds to the effect for a tribute band. And if it's an excuse to buy another bass, all the better!

 

[wolfkeller]

It matters not how you look in a studio, but onstage, infront of people who paid to see a certain thing, its totally different than

 

[wolfkeller]

A buddy of mine is gigging and touring constantly with a couple of tribute bands. One is very much into looking the part (to the point of wigs and fake beards at a few top shows) and playing the proper looking instrument. So out of his collection of fine basses including a couple of Alembics, he's making his most money on a Danelectro Longhorn. The other band isn't nearly as stickler, but he has a white Fender P bass and that fits the bill.

I think looking the part as best you reasonably can adds to the effect for a tribute band. And if it's an excuse to buy another bass, all the better!

Its amazing what you suddenly "need" for a tribute lol. Wife, "wait, he didnt use that ampeg stack and Spector, and it also stays at home you dont use it" me, authentic studio gear!

 

[cheapbasslovin]

No, but those bookings agents and whomever is looking at your EPK and YouTube videos look at things like that.

So far people are cool with us just trying to look cool and sound great. Again, the instruments represent the era even if they're not a clone of what happened in the era.

 

[wolfkeller]

So far people are cool with us just trying to look cool and sound great. Again, the instruments represent the era even if they're not a clone of what happened in the era.

Hey glad to hear it! Some bands fans are more into details than others. Ive found that 1 or 2 little details turns into 10 and then its a concern

 

[cheapbasslovin]

Hey glad to hear it! Some bands fans are more into details than others. Ive found that 1 or 2 little details turns into 10 and then its a concern

One of the benefits of being in a Blondie tribute band is that nobody cares about anybody except Debbie Harry.

An interesting side note, Blondie never had a bassist play with a steinberger style bass, but I recently bought bought one that matches our drummer's kit and posted it to social media to a huge response. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have had such a strong response had I bought a white jazz bass or a black p-bass (both of which Harrison definitely used).

 

[The Mogpipe]

Except Sholtz smiled now and again.

CORRECT!!!Right you are sir!

 

[Hambone70]

To me, it’s all about the musicianship. I find costumes cheesy, especially when they involve wigs, beer guts, and poorly-fitting costumes.

For me, these guys nail it: Classic Albums Live | The World's Greatest Classic Rock Albums - Note for Note, Cut for Cut

 

[wolfkeller]

To me, it’s all about the musicianship. I find costumes cheesy, especially when they involve wigs, beer guts, and poorly-fitting costumes.

For me, these guys nail it: Classic Albums Live | The World's Greatest Classic Rock Albums - Note for Note, Cut for Cut

Thats great for you, but generally speaking its not. How is is chessy? Is stage acting, musicals, plays, tv, movies, Hollywood chessy as well. I mean, most of the actors in Vikings wear fake hair. How is performing as a tribute act somehow different? That is why few are successful at it.

 

[TWolf]

To me, looks are very important when it comes to tribute bands. And I'm not only talking costumes, but also demeanor.

This is true. Some time back I tried out for a RHCP tribute. Of course I am 6'5 and stand pretty much perfectly still when I play so......I didn't get the gig.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

This is true. Some time back I tried out for a RHCP tribute. Of course I am 6'5 and stand pretty much perfectly still when I play so......I didn't get the gig.

I'm pretty active on stage, but I'm about 50 lbs too heavy and 50 tattoos short to pick up that gig .

 

[FC Bass]

A buddy of mine is gigging and touring constantly with a couple of tribute bands. One is very much into looking the part (to the point of wigs and fake beards at a few top shows) and playing the proper looking instrument. So out of his collection of fine basses including a couple of Alembics, he's making his most money on a Danelectro Longhorn. The other band isn't nearly as stickler, but he has a white Fender P bass and that fits the bill.

I think looking the part as best you reasonably can adds to the effect for a tribute band. And if it's an excuse to buy another bass, all the better!

I'm in a tribute band and have to take the Alembics to stay true to the looks of the band we're trying to copy (Metallica, so there's some wiggle room brandwise )
Imho a tribute band should do everything to look, sound and act (stage performance) 100% as the real deal.

 

[hintz]

To make the point more clear - I understand the need to look as close to the original band as possible. I have appropriate gear, I can dress the part.

For those who have seen good tribute bands, is it necessary that the bit players look like the band members? Obviously it is good if the front people do. I"m not sure the average Journey fan knows what Valory looked like, or even knows the name of the Foreigner original/current bassist.

Thanks.

I played in a combo Journey, Styx and REO speedwagon tribute band and I look nothing like the bass players. The singer however *would* change wigs/clothes in between sets, but that was it. Everyone else would just change shirts to fit whichever set, I had long hair at the time so that helped I think. Good luck!! Then again that was 3 different acts versus just 1....

Speaking of, I just did an audition for a sorta Spinal Tap/spoof metal group. I won the spot and gotta go shopping for some stage clothes now! LOL

Edit: here's some pics of the Journey tribute I was in almost a decade ago. The singer could copy literally anybody perfectly, it was always a good time with great pay!

 

[5StringBlues]

I've been wanting to do a Neil Young and Crazy Horse trib recently.

I can pull off the hair and the sunken eyes/caveman brow look easily and make some patchwork jeans to wear. I can also sing all the tunes I want to do. ( Mostly the electric stuff on LIVE RUST)


My problems are:


!. I play bass, not guitar.

2. I'd have to lose a couple hundred pounds to be as skinny.

 

[wolfkeller]

I played in a combo Journey, Styx and REO speedwagon tribute band and I look nothing like the bass players. The singer however *would* change wigs/clothes in between sets, but that was it. Everyone else would just change shirts to fit whichever set, I had long hair at the time so that helped I think. Good luck!! Then again that was 3 different acts versus just 1....

Speaking of, I just did an audition for a sorta Spinal Tap/spoof metal group. I won the spot and gotta go shopping for some stage clothes now! LOL

Edit: here's some pics of the Journey tribute I was in almost a decade ago. The singer could copy literally anybody perfectly, it was always a good time with great pay!View attachment 3302971View attachment 3302972 View attachment 3302973View attachment 3302974

Very cool. Bottom line, gotta have fun!

 

[Groove Doctor]

Iconic clothes of that era and iconic sounds of that bass player are often enough.

For Ross Valory, a good stage mustache, aviator sunglasses, and either jeans and sleeveless Tshirt or a jumpsuit will get you close enough.

For Rick Wills, a curly blonde wig and more or less 80s clothes and that's all anyone would register.

We ditched the wigs/mo’s really quickly in the tribute shows I’ve played in. A bandana, headband or era-appropriate hat are much better for band/musos IME. Less hot and less embarrassing when they fall off.

 

[dalkowski]

CORRECT!!!Right you are sir!

 

[Bass Viking]

I think looking the part as best you reasonably can adds to the effect for a tribute band. And if it's an excuse to buy another bass, all the better!

You got it!

Makes me wonder though, if I show up to a Beatles tribute audition with an Epiphone violin bass instead of a Hofner will it decrease my chances?

 

[The Mogpipe]

In my best ED Macmahan voice.

 

[zontar]

I'd need to shave the beard or pick a band with a bearded member--I guess...

This guy gets the looks & moves down for Page, the Singer does a decent Plant--and the bass player is close enough for Jones--nto sure about the drummer's wardrobe (& he's probably the best known of the four)--maybe he was just filling in here?