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Location: Chicago | Are (competent) copy bands legit or pathetic? Beyond taking the money of sentimental middle-agers, does the copy band idea have merit, in your opinion?
I have only seen one: a dead-on "Van Halen" some years ago; It convinced me that I need to get on with my life. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | It's an evolutionary dead end. Though apparently popular with the metal heads, so I guess if you like metal, it's a good thing.
Interestingly, some bands, like the Beach Boys, have become, self tribute bands. And I actually enjoy them. So I guess it all depends on whose in the band and if you like the music. |
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Location: Chicago | Yeah, sort of "Theater for the Developmentally Arrested"? :) |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | IMO, most 'copy' and even 'self tribute' bands seem to 'just miss the mark'.
Now a good 'cover' band for dancing is a different matter to me. There was a terrific 'cover' band in Idaho in the late '70s/early '80s that would always pack the house. You name it, they could play it! I can't recall the name. The lead singer was short and stout with black hair. Mark?
For oldie listening, I normally go to the originals... |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I'd rather buy the record. |
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Location: SoCal | Question, are you talking about bands that play covers of tunes or bands that just try to pretend they are the band who's tunes they are playing?
There's a Beatles copy group out here that actually dress the parts, covering the different phases of the Beatles.
Or are you talking about people like me that do covers of different tunes It would be too hard for me to dress like Jimmy Buffett, Glen Campbell, Steve Goodman, etc all in one night...... |
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Location: Chicago | I mean bands that wear wigs, get the original spandex from the old boys and put on theater of 35 years ago, note for note. It's kind of like a good wax museum: you are almost there, but only NOT. |
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Location: NJ | I believe he' referring to the former, and the proper term would more be along the lines of "Tribute Bands".
Unfortunately, Jersey's FULL of 'em (and even get booked into some pretty major venues) . . . |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | <>
They may have real talent... but, are using it for evil. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I think the vast majority of tribute bands are just fans that have marginally enough talent to sound vaguely similar to the original. What they lack is any creativity of their own. I wouldn't waste my money on it.
But there are a few exceptions. I think the "Music Of Led Zep" philharmonic tour with Randy Jackson was awesome. Jackson (of Zebra) sounded more like Plant than Plant himself ever did. It was extremely well done.
Another exception is "Close To The Edge" which is a YES tribute band in Canada. The damn singer (Benoit David) was so good that when the real YES went on tour this fall and Jon Anderson was ill, they asked David to fill in and he pulled it off incredibly well. Weather you like that music or not, imagine it from his perspective - he''s fixing boats by day and doing a YES tribute gig at night and all of a sudden the real band taps him on the shoulder to join them? That's got to be every cheesy tribute band members wet dream.
Toby |
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| You guys are confusing art with the music business. If it sells tickets, that's all that counts.
You're searching for some kind of moral right or wrong in all this? Knock yourselves out. |
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Location: Tennessee | The bands doing it are legit. It's the people going to see them that are pathetic. |
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Location: Round Rock, TX | I was shocked to see Losov's post...
You guys are confusing art with the music business. If it sells tickets, that's all that counts. You're searching for some kind of moral right or wrong in all this? Knock yourselves out. I would've thought that combing the word "moral" with the term "music business" in the same post would have crashed the server.
Curious... |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | If it puts cheeks in seats and sells beer it's legit.
RAIN may be the band referred to above. Saw them once, they were great for the audience but I found it quite boring....and I really, really wanted to like it. They had the look and the sound but that 'certain something' wasn't flowing off the stage at you.
'Course, I may have been distracted because the band I did sound for was closing the night as the concert turned into a dance party, which is what Reunion was/is all about.
There are tons of Jimmy Buffet Tribute acts (solo & band) as an example. Large following all over, links to Jimmys website, and they sell a TON of umbrella drinks! Totally legit. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | It can be argued that anyone (including myself) who plays covers is a "copy band" to some extent. I don't happen to confine myself to covering one artist, but if people like it, I don't see a big difference.
I saw a pretty good Rush tribute band a few years back. They sounded good and the place was packed with people who seemed to be having a blast. |
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Location: Round Rock, TX | Originally posted by John B:
It can be argued that anyone (including myself) who plays covers is a "copy band" to some extent. It can be argued, but not very convincingly. I mean, even the Beatles did covers, but it would be very difficult to convince me that they were a copy band. Most artists who do covers (including myself) try to put their own spin on the song. Copy or tribute bands, on thee other hand, try to look, act, sound and exclusivly play the music of one band. There's a huge difference (artistic not moral) with very different goals in mind. When I do a cover, I'm honoring the song and, in most cases, emphatically not trying to emulate the original artist, even though I may be a huge fan. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Tribute Bands are the Female Impersonators of the rock&roll world.
- but, stranger |
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Location: PDX | There's a really good "in the style of" band in Chicago that evokes the Mahavishnu Orchestra from the 70's, but i forget their name ... Guitars of something or other? :)
_____
gh1 |
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Location: Round Rock, TX | originally posted by Jeff W.:
Tribute Bands are the Female Impersonators of the rock&roll world. - but, stranger And equally unsatisfying. |
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Location: NJ | it is more interesting to me to interpret a tune and make it my own than to cover it note for note like the record.
but hey if you are getting gigs why not?
I have a friend who was in the best local wedding band they were booked 3 years in advance and were commanding minimum 5K for 3 hours. (this is all prior to 9/11)
I used to laugh about it but then when I heard them I realized that these guys were really good and performed the tunes perfectly and if that is what you want at a wedding they were the band to hire. i have nothing but the utmost respect for musicians who copy these tunes as exact as they can |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Okay, Let's put this in perspective...
At some point in my life I remember hearing about three different KISS tribute bands traveling around the Maryland/Va/DC area at the same time. With Make-Up, I'm guessing...
Although I have never been to any of these shows, I know that there are Pink Floyd and Yes tribute bands that are mostly comprised of their music and a light show... (zmoke 'em if ya' got 'em :cool: ). That is acceptable.
So long as you understand that you are doing a show, and don't get too weird.
[I also remember a coupla "Ziggy Stardust" David Bowie tribute bands in the 70's] |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I'm with Al on this.
A Tribute band is no easy feat. A cover band is hard enough. I prefer to interpret my way.
It really depends on the musician and what they want to do. There were clubs when I played in Hawaii that had "cover" bands. If you didn't sound like record, don't bother getting booked. If you wanted the $'s and wanted to play in the club, you played what they paid you to play. Some clubs were better than others and you could sneak in some original material or even your own interpretation of a tune. Others, you better wound like the hit on the radio. Period.
Around here at the Casinos, "Tribute" acts are VERY popular. They draw huge crowds and it's a "nostalgia" night. Everyone has a good time and the bands some of the best paid, they are actually touring as an act.
Cover bands can be fun. I know two that are outstanding. If you are ever in Ohio, and into Rock, check out http://www.reaganomics.com/ . They do covers, but with a twist. It's like each song is performed how the original band might have or actually had performed it live. So rather than hearing a live version of the album, you're hearing a performance of each tune. One of the members has been known to lurk here :)
Another from a completely different genre is The Hubcaps. Again, they take it seriously and they'be been going it for many years and played some very prestigious gigs. http://www.thehubcaps.com/
I have heard of tributes of Beatles, Kiss, AC/DC, Eagles and many Country artists I recognize the names when I see them, but have no interest in Country so they don't register. They all are huge draws...
If you are lucky enough for music to pay your bills, you play what the person signing the check tells you too, or you work elsewhere, like any other job. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I'm still stunned thinking about Iffy being in Idaho in the late 70s and early 80s and the possibility we could have bumped into each other. We did actually go out to some of the clubs back then, before kids, but I can't think of a single band we saw back then.
I don't mind covers, even if someone tries to do it note for note. In fact, if I like the song, I tend to resent it if they don't do it as well as the original. I don't like the Elvis impersonator types, because they are just too weird. I was never a big fan of Elvis, so I wouldn't go across the street to see an impersonator. Beatles impersonators are the second creepiest that I can think of. |
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| Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
I prefer to interpret my way.
And there ya go. I knew of a guy who was a good guitarist, good singer. But when he did a James Taylor song, he sounded EXACTLY like James Taylor. When he did a Tracy Chapman song, he sounded EXACTLY like her. Boring, boring, boring.
I do lots of songs by other artists, but none I'd call covers. Maybe Lennon/McCartney wrote it, maybe Harry Chapin worte it, but when I do it, it's MINE. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Originally posted by Losov:
I do lots of songs by other artists, but none I'd call covers. Maybe Lennon/McCartney wrote it, maybe Harry Chapin worte it, but when I do it, it's MINE. McCartney's lawyers might disagree....; ) |
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| They're getting paid by the venue. A paid lawyer is a happy lawyer. |
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| Besides, doesn't Jacko own that catalog now? Or did he sell it? |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | I've been at BB King's place in Times Square a few times to see tribute bands. The shows were all good. In particular Object Project, a Frank Zappa tibute act was excellent. BB's is a really nice venue and tickets can be bought at the door minutes before the show. For $22 I think it is well worth it.
It is the music business that gives rise to these bands. Stadium concerts cost $100 and up, the seats are far away and for that price I just don't think most bands are worth it. Tribute bands on the other hand play mostly in small venues where you can relax and enjoy the performance. At BB Kings, I can go on a spur of the moment.
This is capitalism. I like tribute bands. If you don't, then don't go to see them. The bands I saw were definitely legit, not pathetic. |
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Location: Chicago | Guilty as charged. Actually a concern of mine: once you've "covered" a few tunes, it is time to go forward with original material!!!
PS: As far as looks, I'm better in a Penn & Teller lookalike contest than Mahavishnu :) |
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| There are some really entertaining tribute bands. It ain't easy.
Once or twice a year I just love to go out and see The Illegal Eagles or some such and have a bloody good time. No concentration required, 1500 people singing along (me miming), beer flowing. I love it.
A very famous jazzman once said to me "Don't knock what you can't do".
True dat. |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I think of them as more of a 'show' than a 'concert'.
I'd go to see the Beatles tribute band, because from all reports I've heard, they copy them very well. I didn't see the Beatles when they were in Australia, and even if I did, I wouldn't have heard them.
I think there is a place for tribute bands. Like Mitch says, if you don't like it...
I saw Roger Waters' Dark Side of the Moon tour recently. The people at the back of the venue wouldn't have known for sure whether it was Roger Waters, Peter Sumner or Cliff Doenges playing the bass. When they played the concert I thought I was listening to the album - it was so close. Should we call THAT a tribute band, even though one of the members was in it.
What was even weirder, in my opinion, was the THOUSANDS of faded old Pink Floyd and Dark Side of the Moon T-shirts being worn by the audience - even though it wasn't OFFICIALLY a Pink Floyd concert. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | You could do worse...
You can pay big bucks to see Lynyrd Skynyrd do a tribute to it's Old Self...
You can go see Steppenwolf or Black Sabbath with No original members.
Like the Muzza-man said, It's a Show... Enjoy it!
(and save $120! :p ]
Oh, There used to be a Doors tribute band that was consistently Good...
Whereas the Real Doors could be the Best or the Worst band you've ever seen... Depends on the day. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I'll give you this, there are some bands that just warrant Tribute Bands . . .
I give you Mini-Kiss
(why don't these guys just form an original band ?) |
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Location: south east Michigan | A prime example. HERE
Good or bad??? I dunno. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Wow Brad....sure makes you appreciate John. That bass player was horrible! |
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Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by Mitchrx:
In particular Object Project, a Frank Zappa tibute act was excellent. Got 'em turned around Mitch, it's Project Object. And you're right. EXCELLENT! I got lucky and caught them at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park three years ago. Best part about that night was Ike Willis and Napleon Murphy Brock were with them. :eek: Too cool... Not a Frank concert but just about as close as you're gonna get these days and they were practically playing in our laps the place was so small. Awesome show. I still get the grins just thinking about it.
Project Object may not fit the popular perception of a "tribute" band, I suppose. I mean there was no one disguised as FZ onstage trying to pull off the impossible. (I'm sure I would have been pretty disgusted if there was.) Exception or not, I believe that done well, Tribute bands definitely have their place.
Otto
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | That Who band's performance was laughable. Tribute bands do well cause some of us just can't get enough. In my opinion, they're just an imitation. Last year I went to a Beatle fest, and saw a band called Liverpool. It was interesting to see them pull off the Beatles songs in a live setting. They satisfied my curiosity, but I wouldn't make a point of going to a tribute band concert. |
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| Originally posted by Tommy M.:
They satisfied my curiosity, but I wouldn't make a point of going to a tribute band concert. In the early eighties I was playing a festival, and one of the bands was "The Cast," a group of former cast members from Beatlemania, which had recently closed.
These guys were dead on and it was really interesting - for about ten minutes. I was glad I hadn't paid to sit through two hours of it. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I hadn't watched that 'WHOoligans' clip...
Now I wish I hadn't... That was SAD. |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | The "guitarist" should have hit the "drummer" over the head, then it would have ended peacefully |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by stephent28:
Wow Brad....sure makes you appreciate John. That bass player was horrible! UNDERstatement... |
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Location: New Hampshire, USA | There's a Beatles tribute band called 1964 that I've seen about 10 times or so. They're very very good at both the music and the stage mannerisms of the Beatles.
I'm not old enough that I ever had a chance to see the real deal live, so I find it fun to go to these shows. I get to see how some of the songs are played, and the band is actually very funny with their between-song patter as well.
Here's a clip of them doing And Your Bird Can Sing, with "George" playing both leads at the same time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjZTvyfR3bI |
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Copy Bands: Legit or Pathetic?