Members SandyCo Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 What I love about this forum (and this thread in particular) - Everyone here knows the difference between a tribute band and a cover band! I can't even begin to count the number of times I've seen something like: "America's premier 80s tribute band!" Unless there was ever a band named "80s", it's a @#$% COVER band! I know I'm nit-picking, but that really bothers me. I've seen a couple of tribute bands; one was called "Lights", a Journey band, and the lead singer sounded just like Steve Perry. I've also seen Hollywood U2 twice. http://www.youtube.com/user/SandyCou?feature=mhee#p/u/22/4n-ypReKiho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members richardmac Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Live and let live. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and everyone is entitled to express it here. But once again, the market determines the value of something. If a tribute band can pack a venue, and people go and have a good time, that's all that matters. I try to not look down my nose at anyone. We're all musicians, playing music, having fun, and earning some coin. I know a guy who was in an Eagles tribute band for a while. He'd always wanted to tour but never had the chance. So this gave him the chance. He said he had fun and it was a great experience. But I agree that if you want to make serious jack as a tribute band you're gonna need to hit the road in a big way. Original bands look down on cover bands, cover bands look down on tribute bands, tribute bands look down on solo performers who use backing tracks, solo guys look down on singers who just sing along with CD's, singers with CD's look down on karaoke. Too much looking down IMHO. I say that whatever your thing is, take it seriously, put the work in, and do it well. The world doesn't need another bad cover band. But there's room for another good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members troyguitar Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Not trying to piss anyone off who does it, but I don't get it. I'd rather be an accountant than play in a tribute band that's full time and tours all over impersonating the members of a famous act. To make a living as a musician impersonating someone else, eh, like I said, I'd rather be an accountant. Guys that just love a band and want to play their music, that I get. But to do it as a career, that I don't get. Your a professional musician and what you bring to the table is the ability to impersonate someone? Are the groupies you get impersonating real groupies? Or are they pretending to screw the "real" guy? The fans, digging the fact that you really looked, moved, sounded, and acted like the "real" person. WTF????!!!!!!!!!! Those girls doing AC/DC. -the girl wearing a short shirt and moving her legs up and down like angus-the singer wearing the brian johnson cap-man that is freakin sad to me. I know others feel differently, but what can I say, it's the way I see it. For that matter, I'd never go see a tribute act. I did once, I saw beatlemania like Tim, and I have to admit it was great. It was more like a broadway show than a club gig. I wouldn't go again. I can't think of a single band or musician who I'd go to see someone impersonate. There's something pathetic about it IMO. This is in part why I'm mainly only interested in doing a tribute act to artists who are no longer performing themselves. It seems silly to me to put together a Judas Priest tribute when the real Judas Priest will be playing a stadium here this Fall - they'll make my show look like a bunch of amateurs. But Ronnie James Dio is dead and he's my favorite singer in the world - if/when I ever get to the point where I feel I can do the songs justice I'll have no qualms about doing a tribute act to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vito Corleone Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 What I love about this forum (and this thread in particular) - Everyone here knows the difference between a tribute band and a cover band! I can't even begin to count the number of times I've seen something like: "America's premier 80s tribute band!" Unless there was ever a band named "80s", it's a @#$% COVER band! I know I'm nit-picking, but that really bothers me. I've seen a couple of tribute bands; one was called "Lights", a Journey band, and the lead singer sounded just like Steve Perry. I've also seen Hollywood U2 twice. http://www.youtube.com/user/SandyCou?feature=mhee#p/u/22/4n-ypReKiho I've always thought if you are going to just play the music and not do the SHOW you should call yourself "A Tribute to the MUSIC OF...." Some acts book themselves that way. But unfortunately, we don't have Cover Band Police to help us with this.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SandyCo Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 I've always thought if you are going to just play the music and not do the SHOW you should call yourself "A Tribute to the MUSIC OF...." Some acts book themselves that way. But unfortunately, we don't have Cover Band Police to help us with this.... Don't you mean the Tribute Band Police? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mutha Goose Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 MartinC: Not taking offense, but for a different point of view.. For me, playing in a tribute act had nothing to do at all with being a musician. It's about being a performer. It's as simple as that. I run sound and lights too, which to me are also just performances. I know a lot of musicians HATE the whole idea of a tribute act. But then again, I don't perform for people that didn't get it. I perform for people that do get it. And that's how I can play in a tribute act, even if I'm not a fan of the music per se (within limits). It's because that was a band that drew a rowdy crowd. And when we performed we had a lot of fun, and so did the crowd. There's a snob factor amoung musicians. We all know the pecking order: Bottom of the list is a tribute act, followed by someone playing covers, then there's the sell outs, then at the top of the list, the musician with musical integrity only doing their own thing... But funny enough, audience size and pay (at the club level) is in the exact opposite order. Personally, I'm at the point musically where I'm not trying to make it big. I like playing, and I like performing for more than just a couple of my buddies on a Wednesday night. I don't need to pay to play. That is something I don't get. I just really enjoy playing to a full room and all of the energy that comes with it. Then a couple of times a year, I put on a show where I can be a musician. nijyo: yeah, he could get pitchy (especially after a few drinks). But he could keep a crowd entertained. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nijyo Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Don't you mean the Tribute Band Police? Technically, that's "Doo Doo Doo De Da Da Da - A Police Tribute" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kmart Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Not trying to piss anyone off who does it, but I don't get it. I'd rather be an accountant than play in a tribute band that's full time and tours all over impersonating the members of a famous act. To make a living as a musician impersonating someone else, eh, like I said, I'd rather be an accountant. Guys that just love a band and want to play their music, that I get. But to do it as a career, that I don't get. Your a professional musician and what you bring to the table is the ability to impersonate someone? Are the groupies you get impersonating real groupies? Or are they pretending to screw the "real" guy? The fans, digging the fact that you really looked, moved, sounded, and acted like the "real" person. WTF????!!!!!!!!!! Those girls doing AC/DC. -the girl wearing a short shirt and moving her legs up and down like angus-the singer wearing the brian johnson cap-man that is freakin sad to me. I know others feel differently, but what can I say, it's the way I see it. For that matter, I'd never go see a tribute act. I did once, I saw beatlemania like Tim, and I have to admit it was great. It was more like a broadway show than a club gig. I wouldn't go again. I can't think of a single band or musician who I'd go to see someone impersonate. There's something pathetic about it IMO. Unless I'm mistaken, didn't you say that you play sitting down in another thread? WTF??? You're a professional musician and you can't stand up for a simple show??? I'd rather be an accountant than play in a band with a guitarist who can't bother to stand for a gig. I'm just kidding, but I think it makes my point well enough; different strokes for different folks. Personally, I know I'd rather be in a tribute act for dozens of other bands than than play BEG, Mustang Sally, Free Bird, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nijyo Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Unless I'm mistaken, but didn't you say that you play sitting down in another thread?WTF???You're a professional musician and you can't stand up for a simple show???I'd rather be an accountant than play in a band with a guitarist who can't bother to stand for a gig.I'm just kidding, but I think it makes my point well enough; different strokes for different folks.Personally, I know I'd rather be in a tribute act for dozens of other bands than than play BEG, Mustang Sally, Free Bird, etc. Sitting down! That was another one missing from my list of "Things Never Allowed Onstage by BSWtB" So now we have: - hawaiian shirts with guitars on them- white tennis shoes- music stands- backing tracks- backwards Kangol caps- sitting down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Austincowbell Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Personally, I know I'd rather be in a tribute act for dozens of other bands than than play BEG, Mustang Sally, Free Bird, etc. this times a million. When i read that comment I started thinking about the bands I would rather forsake for a tribute band and its a long list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rezrover Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 I got friends in a GNR tribute band, they get called to Sturgis from Portland Oregon every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vito Corleone Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Don't you mean the Tribute Band Police? Maybe the cops are kinder if you're Italian? [video=youtube;W544YQNqA-8] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members modulusman Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Heres a link to a Johnny Cash Tribute band playing on David Letterman. These guys are on the same day as my band at http://www.headwaterscountryjam.com/index.html Needless to say I won't be singing "Folsom Prison Blues " that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KeysBear Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Doors here. We do this five or six times a year, been at it for awhile now, third guitarist, recently replaced the drummer. http://www.youtube.com/reachinglove#p/u/13/LtC0pKaIBMM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIMKEYS Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Heres a link to a Johnny Cash Tribute band playing on David Letterman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LblMcCaFUQA&feature=related These guys are on the same day as my band at http://www.headwaterscountryjam.com/index.html Needless to say I won't be singing "Folsom Prison Blues " that day. Pretty good job on cash.... I had trouble hearing the bass guitar though lol. He needs to turn it up. mabye a bigger amp would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 3shiftgtr Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 In late..... Uh, what is the difference in playing a bunch of cover tunes by a bunch of bands, or a bunch of cover tunes by one band? THEY ARE {censored}ING COVER TUNES! You either wrote or were a part of writing the stuff you play, or it is somebody else's music. I know some guys that are either in or have been in tribute bands, and they make some good coin. The best was a guy in an Elvis in Vegas tribute. Was the road manager, and bassist and pulled in 6 figures in the 90's. They were doing something like 150-200 shows a year and getting like 8 to 10k a show. 12 against Nature is a Steely Dan cover band and they get some good money. That said, it'd have to be right for me to be in one. I was asked to be in an 80's hair metal tribute a 10 years ago and said no. I wasn't willing to wear a wig and the money wasn't right. I was asked to be in a Primus tribute band, and while I love me some Primus, there was a lot of work for not a lot of gigs and not much money, so I said no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Remedy Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Beatallica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MikeyParent Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Goddamn batman but he does sound like Sting doesn't he (minus the accent)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MikeyParent Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Beatallica YES![video=youtube;vUWoiwWk66g] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KeysBear Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 I know there is snobbery about original bands vs. covers or tributes but to me there's little difference between me playing a cover or playing a song my lead singer wrote. Unless the entire band wrote the song it's still performing someone else's material. And while your at it please get an education as to how many songs you think some of the more famous players wrote that were actually written by someone else and they tacked their names on for a slice of the royalties. You can make any cover song your own by playing it better than the original or adding your own style in some way. I prefer Van Halen's "You Really Got Me," Buffet's "Brown Eyed Girl," Pearl Jam's "Last Kiss," and Idol's "Mony Mony." Also, I have a ton of beautiful music I've written that in my opinion isn't commercially viable yet it still it satisfies my soul that I wrote those songs. One of them was sung on a national children's TV program so it found a niche, just not a niche I wake up every day excited about pursuing. I'm not going to insist that an audience enjoy my personal overly sappy material so I play covers, tributes, other people's originals, and it's all good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MikeyParent Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 What I love about this forum (and this thread in particular) - Everyone here knows the difference between a tribute band and a cover band! I can't even begin to count the number of times I've seen something like: "America's premier 80s tribute band!" Unless there was ever a band named "80s", it's a @#$% COVER band! I know I'm nit-picking, but that really bothers me. Respectfully I disagree. I am OK with the notion of a decade-tribute band. I see the distinction as being more about the performance part of it. An 80s cover band is a bunch of dudes (and/or dudettes) who just get up and play 80s songs. An 80s tribute band will dress and act the part. Just my take on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MartinC Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Sounds kinda silly now, don't it? :poke: Not really-an actor's profession is all about pretending to be someone else. That's what I don't like about the full on tribute thing. I have no issue with playing other people's music, even imitating their playing, sound, etc. That's how most of us learned to play. I think most people at a certain point, try to go beyond that to create something more personal, even in the context of playing covers. But to make a living dressing, sounding, moving, like someone else every gig is leaving a lot on the table. As David pointed out, there are guys who for them that's the best option they have to make a living, and I get that there is a demand for people to do the gig. And it's not like I haven't done strange, even somewhat demeaning gigs in my time. RE:live and let live-it's not like I'm out there picketing tribute bands......and it's not that I don't respect the skill of good musicians that play in them. I just see it as a really strange way for a musician to make a living. Mutha Goose, I'm glad you didn't take offense. A tribute act making big dollars is not at the bottom of the "pecking order" IMO. If anything, they are above a band making less in my mind in many cases. So, it's not about the pecking order. Those guys in beatlemania made more money playing than I ever will, and are great musicians, but I'd hate that gig after a few months. Sitting down while playing-the hardest gigs I ever did, you sit down for. If I do one wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, with a music stand, while playing to backing tracks with a hat on backwards, can I get in the BSWTB hall of fame? A BSWTB T shirt perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vito Corleone Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 Yeah, I try not too get to caught up in the pecking order. Being able to make a living playing music is a gift. However anyone chooses to do this (or chooses not to) is up to them. I'm not going to look down on a guy who plays to tracks as a casino solo act at 7AM simply because that's a gig I'd rather not do personally. He's still a musician and he's still working and that's something the vast majority of people in the world could never do no matter how hard they tried or how low-in-the-pecking-order the gig might be. It's NEVER something to be looked down upon, IMO. And we ALL sell our souls a bit in order to make a living at it. Very few musicians can make a living doing it COMPLETELY on their own terms. The Rolling Stones still write songs with one ear towards the radio and know they are going to play "Satisfaction" for the 8 millionth time before the show is over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tim_7string Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 This is in part why I'm mainly only interested in doing a tribute act to artists who are no longer performing themselves. It seems silly to me to put together a Judas Priest tribute when the real Judas Priest will be playing a stadium here this Fall - they'll make my show look like a bunch of amateurs. I agree that bands that don't exist anymore should be tributed more than the ones that aren't. The Doors, Grateful Dead, Bon Scott-era AC/DC, etc. I would have enjoyed doing a tribute to The Cars, but they are back together (well, 4/5ths of them anyway since Benjamin Orr passed away 11 years ago). Then again, having a Cars tribute with a Ben look-a-like/sound-a-like might be perfect timing. Not sure how big the audience would be for that, but The Cars' recent tour *did* sell out... But Ronnie James Dio is dead and he's my favorite singer in the world - if/when I ever get to the point where I feel I can do the songs justice I'll have no qualms about doing a tribute act to him. There is a guy around here who can nail Ronnie James Dio's voice to a "T". Funny thing is, unlike Dio's incredibly small stature, he is built like a huge football player, around 6'8"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tim_7string Posted June 23, 2011 Members Share Posted June 23, 2011 That said, it'd have to be right for me to be in one. I was asked to be in an 80's hair metal tribute a 10 years ago and said no. I wasn't willing to wear a wig and the money wasn't right. I was asked to be in a Primus tribute band, and while I love me some Primus, there was a lot of work for not a lot of gigs and not much money, so I said no. Heh, I know a bassist that can play Les Claypool stuff in his sleep. I told him it would be cool to have a Primus tribute band with him with me on guitar. Problem is, he can't sing. Then there is the problem of getting a drummer that can play like Tim "Herb" Alexander... And yes, there is the money factor as well (probably be lucky to play twice a year)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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