How do you guys feel about tribute bands...?

[bliss_eternal]

I got into a conversation about how much music sucks these days in another area of DU--which prompted me to come and check out this forum. Hope you guys don't mind my popping in and posting here. :hi:

I was reading an older thread here about earning a living in music. I was reminded of a television entertainment piece I saw about tribute bands. I was surprised to hear that the good ones that establish a following can earn a pretty good living. Just wondered how people here feel about them?

Would you play in one to earn a living as a musician or do you feel this would be a "sell-out" or against your artistic integrity to earn money for music that isn't your own?

Here's a link to an article about tribute bands and a particular one that performs the music of the former California band, Sublime:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-li.scene13apr13,0,7127465.story?coll=bal-live-archive

Anyway, looking forward to your thoughts on this. Thanks! :hi:

[mitchum]

1. It's fine if someone wants to do it, but it is incredibly cheesy...

and no, I don't buy the argument "Well, a lot of jazz bands are just Coltrane, Miles, Monk, etc... tribute bands" That's something else entirely different.

I think that the only tribute bands who are aesthetically "correct" are Kiss tribute bands. The original "art" was already very schlocky and the face paint allows the tribute musicians to fully assume the roles. There's none of that disconnect of "Well, the guitarplayer kinda looks like Jerry..."

[bliss_eternal]

3. Thanks for sharing your thoughts...

:hi: I appreciate it!

[leftofthedial]

2. I'm a singer-songwriter

I also work as a sideman and as a producer

I've just started a tribute band, doing a two-hour "tribute" set. It's not an impersonation thing, just two hours of great music I didn't happen to write. It's not easy and it's not cheesy.

[bliss_eternal]

4. Hi leftofthedial--

I hope your tribute band is successful! :hi:

It seems in some cases that they can fill some sort of void in the musical landscape--or else why would some become so popular? People really seem to enjoy reliving the fond moments in their lives which was played out to the music tribute bands cover.

I frequently go to hear (and see)a few tribute bands in my area. While the one's that take on the dress and style of the original groups may have a "cheesy" factor for some, I don't think it makes them any less enjoyable--at least as far as I'm concerned.

One of the groups I've seen have their own kitschy choreographed moments and they've taken on personas based on the culture and style of the day, more so than an individual impersonation of anyone. For example, one guy dresses like the title of an 80's movie, another is representative of the metal/hair bands of the 80's and named himself accordingly. Is it silly sometimes? Yes--but that's part of what I like about it! 80's music was frequently silly, theatrical even over the top and cheesy--but they are "entertaining us" and I enjoy it!

The band seems to have a lot of fun, too--which adds to our enjoyment of it! If they didn't dig it, I doubt they could get up there so many times a week and do what they do.

I was surprised to see that a Beatles cover band still packs them in. All the Boomers were there, singing along to every song, nostalgic looks on their faces. It's really cool(to me) to see what music can do for people in that sense!

Sorry to go on and on. Just wanted to encourage you and share my positive experiences with tribute and cover bands. :thumbsup: :)

[leftofthedial]

5. thanks!

while the other facets of my performing career are going pretty well, it is harder and harder I find to get people to come to a live show. The tribute thing gives them a little extra something--nostalgia or whatever. I know we get consistently larger crowds and much better pay than I would for a local songwriter show, which might draw 250 people one week and 5 people the next. Very fickle and unreliable market here . . . but the tribute thing draws on a much larger, more focused fan base.

[bliss_eternal]

6. Amazing...

...I would think it would be the other way around--that people would want to hear more original stuff. But I guess it's part of what you said--the nostalgia aspect.

I was pretty taken aback to hear the numbers of what tribute bands can earn when I watched a show about local entertainment a few months back. They can do really well! :wow:

[leftofthedial]

7. we book the tribute band for a minimum of five times my guarantee

for me and my band

I happen to love the music we are doing in the tribute band, so that's a bonus.

[bliss_eternal]

8. That sounds so cool--

to have gigs that you look forward to because you enjoy the music! Wish I was closer--I could come out to hear you! :)

[ProfessorGAC]

Ooops!

.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. Who Are You "Tributing"?

Just wondering. I played lots and lots of covers in my time, so i'm not an "originals" snob. Not by a long shot!

But, sometimes i find it hard to see any difference between a tribute band and an Elvis impersonator. (I know you said there's no impersonation, so the difference for you guys is obvious.)

The Professor

[leftofthedial]

17. It's an Elton John tribute

Definitely not an impersonation thing, although it's a very good show. I occasionally wear some goofy glasses, but that's about the extent of it.

The focus is on the music and it's a trio format--piano, bass and drums. (The bassist occasionaly doubles on guitar and keyboards.)

[mitchum]

12. It's not just the nostalgia thing...

despite the self-serving myth, Americans are becoming less adventurous and less trusting in their own discernment. They want their art/entertainment to be validated for them before they know it is "alright for their consumption" If an entertainer has a measure of fame "well, it must be good" because the powers-that-be have decided so. Hence, the money and energy which goes into hyping contemporary "artistes" In this vein, tribute bands benefit from secondhand validation. A known quantity for that "wildass, back off man rockandroll animal" in the audience. Outlaws, Ltd.
I understand why working musicians would play in a tribute band and do not fault them for it, but the reasons that they do just sadden me.

[bliss_eternal]

13. Interesting , mitchum...

...you make a good point, and I can see how that would add to the success of tribute bands.

[ProfessorGAC]

16. Astutely Observed, mitchum!

Good add to the discussion.
The Professor

[leftofthedial]

19. with all due respect, I find nothing sad about it

I love the music we're covering. So do the people who come to our shows. It's fun, demanding, rewarding and a great complement to a reasonably busy schedule of original music performances.

Let's establish a clear baseline: I think anyone, anywhere, anytime who is making live music of any kind deserves basic respect and support. It takes guts, desire and talent to perform. Plus it beats the hell out of sports bars or places that regurgitate canned music.

Undoubtedly, there is some truth to what you say about a lack of adventurousness among listeners. Ironically though, "validation" by "powers that be" is FAR less a factor in the market today than it ever has been. The unrestrained access to cheap digital recording and distribution technology and the Internet have flooded the market with such an overwhelming volume of "art/entertainment" that it is daunting to consumers, who may not have the time or expertise to filter it. They don't know where to begin when deciding how to spend their time and money. In my experience with the indie music industry, for every indie gem one may find, there are several thousand painfully awful things to be weeded through. It has become almost impossible for an artist to break through the noise. (And unfortunately, I literally mean "noise.") The karaoke/American Idol phenomenon is the absurd extreme of this trend. Anyone with a few hundred bucks can be a pretend "rock star" today. I give them all a slap on the back for trying, but it doesn't make them good. On the establishment front, the major labels also have made things worse with predatory marketing strategies and by relentlessly seeking ever lower "common denominators" and driving consumers away in droves. Taken together, these trends are driving standards lower and lower and lower. Almost anything can be passed of as "music" today. No wonder consumers are wary. And no wonder they frequently choose the music they already know they like.

I also find that most consumers are maddeningly rigid in their musical preferences. They seek out a preferred genre or even an arcane subgenre and actively avoid any exposure to a different genre. They are utterly intolerant of even a whiff of whatever genre they hate (usually either country or rap/hip hop). It's less the case that they want their music to come to them pre-validated than that they want it pre-sorted. The "powers that be" aren't widely respected for their taste, but they are unquestioningly accepted as the all-powerful masters of labeling, packaging and pigeonholing.

[bliss_eternal]

23. I've noticed this, too...

(Some's inability to listen to different genres).

I've always wondered if it has anything to do with how they were originally exposed to music. You know like if someone grew up in a home where they heard country, and the people listening told them all r&b and hip hop was crap. :shrug:

Personally, I appreciate that I was exposed to various kinds of music very early and told it was ALL GREAT! I heard classical, Motown sound, rock, easy listening, pop, The Beatles, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, the Stones, Hendricks, jazz, fusion, big band, the blues, etc. I admit some forms too some years to grow on me. :blush: But I've never been one to say,"...oh that sucks"...unless it's Jessica Simpson or the whiny assed garage bands of today :eyes:.

Having been exposed to so much early, I feel lucky because I appreciate more. I can listen to lots of different things and appreciate it...

[mitchum]

24. But it's the very fact that the choices are overwhelming...

which makes the validation by the "powers that be" to be so crucial.
"What to like? What to like? Oooh...I just don't know...oh my...oh my... Look! That one has the brightest light on it! It must be good!"
It's marketed through $$$$$$$$ and immense effort just like soap and steak sauce

The audience is sheep in wolves clothing

[mitchum]

26. When I said "sad", I didn't mean that I found the musicians to be...

pathetic. It's much of the contemporary audience I find to be pathetic.
Hell, I'm always on the side of the musicians.

[leftofthedial]

18. As unbelievably great as my original music is,

I don't have nearly as many fans as a major label artist with a thirty-plus-year career . . .

[pepperbear]

9. I think it's cool if the band can handle the music.

I like the fact that bands pay homage to their heroes. I think it's a cool way to make great money.

[bliss_eternal]

14. Agreed--because nothing sucks more

than listening to someone butcher songs you love. :scared: Been there, seen that, bought the shirt. It's so wrong when that happens. :(

But when they're good--it's awesome! :hi: pepperbear!

[johnnie]

11. I don't mind them

I wouldn't play in one because that's not my trip. The guitarist in my band plays in a Beatles tribute and my drummer just joined a Garth Brooks tribute. The guitarist does it because he likes the Beatles and the drummer does it because he likes making cash.

The drummer and the bass player in my band had a Zeppelin tribute years ago. They had no problem getting $2500 a gig.

[bliss_eternal]

15. Wow--that's a good gig.

I can see how a musician wanting to actually make a good living, might turn to this sort of thing. Good for them! Half the battle in life is finding a way to do what you love and not starve, right? ;)

Tribute bands don't bother me one bit. Again, IF they can handle the music it can be a lot of fun. To handle the music for me, doesn't necessarily equate to staying true to the original. I've heard an 80's tribute band I see perform covers where they change things up a bit and the song sounds great!

Guess it also depends on individual tastes. I can understand if some just aren't into the tribute thing.

[johnnie]

20. Yeah, it was funny

I went to some of their shows and they were always packed with Zep fans. The band did a pretty good job looking like the guys and these chicks would get all turned on by it..lol. It was like they were really hanging out with Zeppelin backstage. It was weird and funny.

[bliss_eternal]

22. Yikes...tribute band groupies.

Seen them.

The 80's group I've spoke of have them.:eyes: The totally creepy thing is they play at an amusement park sometimes, so a lot of the girls aren't of age yet. :scared:

Then there were the one's that are of age... :scared: Women that would drive and travel wherever they were playing, knew all their sets by heart, took incessant digital pics of them--got to know their real names, e-mailed them, met them backstage, etc., etc. They followed them around like little puppies. :( AND they were VERY territorial and possessive of them. They seemed to feel threatened when new girls showed up and became fans. :crazy:

We talked to them casually between sets a couple of times. When we realized all of the energy they were putting into these guys...:scared: and how angry they were about "the new girls".... :wow: We haven't seen them play in a looooong time. They seemed to attract some "interesting" people to put it mildly.

THAT was really kind of strange, to me at least. I mean they were just guys playing 80's music, wearing wigs and costumes--but still just normal guys underneath. I kinda' felt sorry for those women. They must have been really lonely to put so much energy into a band--borderline stalker issues aside. :P

[Ron Green]

21. I may be in some tribute bands, I'm not sure.

We play stuff by Benny Gholson, Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, Miles Davis, and a bunch of other guys.

Maybe that's a tribute - I dunno.

[mitchum]

25. Nope, that is something entirely different...

despite the protestation of Elvis imitators