Some of the best tribute bands I've seen haven't "dressed the part". They were just damned good bands playing the music of other damned good bands. I would definitely play in the right tribute band.
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When are too many tribute bands too many?
- Thread starter HauntedDave
- Start date
Off the top of my head there are currently tribute bands for Dave Matthews Band and Sublime, both of which are still around. I realize the lead singer of Sublime is dead, but the rest of the band has been travelling with some guy named "Rome" for a while now. The Sublime tribute band is called Badfish and they play all the time. I don't know anything about where they're from (I don't care for Sublime), but they come through the Tampa Bay area with some regularity. What I do know is they are doing something right if they're getting that many gigs.
There used to be a group near us called All Together Now. They were "a tribute to the music of the Beatles." Made no effort to lookalike and wouldn't have been able to pull it off if they tried - too different in appearance. Switched some of the vocal parts around to fit their voices rather than recreate who did what (e.g. no one person was "John" or "Paul"). But they nailed the music and put on a fantastic show.
Where there is demand there will be supply. I've seen a few top notch tribute acts around here and they never seem to lack an audience.
I always find it weird when there is total insistance on accurate visual details. A friend of mine plays in a Beatles tribute band that does a lot of shows here in Quebec (Quebec loves its tribute bands). He was telling me that the bass player is right handed but he learned to play lefty for the gig (and the playing is apparently suffering for it).
Next phase? I'd say current. There are more 90's grunge/alt tribute bands in my area than you can shake a stick at. We're so inundated up here in the Boston/south shore area I decided to modify my secondary bands material from a One band tribute to a tribute to the entire genre. It's worked out pretty good so far.
I got fired by the Milli Vanilli tribute band for actually singing.
There is nothing to 'get.' Some people like it, some people don't.
I don't 'get' why people always think there is something to 'get.'
Will Lee's Beatles tribute The Fab Faux is phenomenal. Not that this has anything to do with the OP's question.
Very, very good. Remind me to save this link for the next "Rickenbackers have no low end" thread....
In the 60's we played whatever was popular, from 50's country (which was rock'n'roll) to what was on top 40 radio at the time. I remember when Abbey Road came out, things changed. Some bands were rushing to learn and perform the entire LP. This was the first time that I recall that bands tried to reproduce entire albums. It was about the concept. Up until then, you did a mix of songs that were on the radio, obscure B sides from singles if you wanted something different. I think that's where tribute bands got their start. Yet another thing that the Beatles inspired. Well, that and Elvis impersonators which is something else.
Bands started to specialize as well, some only played hard rock, psychedelic acid rock, etc. In the 70's progressive rock became popular, these bands performed their albums at shows. It was a natural progression to fill a show with songs from just one band.
Tribute band ares fantastic. The more the better. It's the only way many are going to experience live performances of music that they like. Almost like experiencing the real thing.
Bands started to specialize as well, some only played hard rock, psychedelic acid rock, etc. In the 70's progressive rock became popular, these bands performed their albums at shows. It was a natural progression to fill a show with songs from just one band.
Tribute band ares fantastic. The more the better. It's the only way many are going to experience live performances of music that they like. Almost like experiencing the real thing.
Interesting thought. here is the problem. there are too many tribute bands (usually of the 1980's and classic rock variety) that keep pumping out the same tired old songs. I'm not knocking the genre I actually am a huge fan). Though that time is done. the reason classic rock and 80's tribute bands worked so well was the nostalgia and mid 30's early 40's had money to burn and wanted to relive their youth.
Now those same people are 50-60 and no longer going to bars (unless they are in the band). So yes there are too many over the hill tribute bands. In my area of the world anyway. want to cater to nostalgia....update the music to the 90's and early 2000's and there will be better turnout and less competition.
Now those same people are 50-60 and no longer going to bars (unless they are in the band). So yes there are too many over the hill tribute bands. In my area of the world anyway. want to cater to nostalgia....update the music to the 90's and early 2000's and there will be better turnout and less competition.
I look at it that "tribute" bands and "impersonator" bands are slightly different. Impersonator bands try to sound, and look, the part whereas tribute bands are mostly about the music and not the look.
After all, they are just cover bands, which is what most of us do. However, they try to stay true to the original sounds, vocals, and arrangements of the songs of the acts they cover.
I just booked two of these types of acts for a large festival this past weekend and both were great for the event since we can't afford the real acts.
I booked Tom Sadge - Neil Diamond impersonator, who performed Saturday and Bon Journey (Bon Jovi & Journey tribute band) played Sunday. We get big audiences for these shows and they spend money at the festival.
After all, they are just cover bands, which is what most of us do. However, they try to stay true to the original sounds, vocals, and arrangements of the songs of the acts they cover.
I just booked two of these types of acts for a large festival this past weekend and both were great for the event since we can't afford the real acts.
I booked Tom Sadge - Neil Diamond impersonator, who performed Saturday and Bon Journey (Bon Jovi & Journey tribute band) played Sunday. We get big audiences for these shows and they spend money at the festival.
I know what you are saying but what's the alternative? With some exceptions, people don't know how to write songs anymore. Songs don't catch people's attention, they don't inspire. There once was a time when music mattered. Other than teen pop which sells well to their target audience, much of the population doesn't want to listen to current offerings.
Rehashed music sells. Yes, if it is too restricted to the 80's for example as you said, it can wear thin quickly. Locally there are a number of venues that only host tribute bands. They do very well financially and there's no sign of it letting up. It isn't the same bands covering the same era. There's variety and a long list of showcase bands that perform material that dates back to the 50's to present day.
At least it's live music which is all but dead in some areas.
