Tribute bands

Subject: Tribute bands
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Apr 23 - 05:28 PM

Just been to see a Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons tribute band at a local concert venue and, although the original are a tad before my time, I really enjoyed it. There is any number of reasons to see tribute acts rather than the originals. Mainly that the originals no longer exist but also covering cost and availability. Any views?

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Apr 23 - 06:14 PM

BTW. I didn't see them but the best tribute band name I have come across is By Jovi :-D

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 22 Apr 23 - 06:22 PM

If I were to go to see a band or artist that I have enjoyed in the past, I would expect that there would be a mix of new and old material. Some of that old material, I would hope, would be in the familiar style that I recognise but I would be happy if some of it was enhanced, re-interpreted or improved. No doubt there would be some that I would rather they had left alone but, all in all, I would accept it as part of having seen a live performance.

If I were to go to see a tribute band, the chances are that I would be seeing a performance preserved in aspic. If they dress up as, and even copy the moves of the artist they are paying tribute to, then they are basically stealing someone else's act. If I really want to hear how my favourite band sounded twenty years ago then I can listen to a recording.

I have no problem with cover versions where today's artists give their own interpretation of songs from times gone by, but tribute acts are not for me.

DC

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Apr 23 - 06:26 PM

A live performance, even if it is a copy, is nothing like listening to a recording Doug.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 22 Apr 23 - 06:50 PM

Maybe so, but a live performance doesn't have to be a direct copy. A tribute act is not something I am prepared to spend my money on. I don't do pretend.

DC

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 22 Apr 23 - 06:57 PM

One of the stranger things now, is when even the original band, of the 50's-70's are now effectively only a tribute band.   A heritage name, as all the other band members have passed on. Sometimes one member may still be there.. or some musician who once played as part of one line up claims the right to use the name. Or the name is simply licensed out like a franchise (the Drifters). There's no way round that when everybody pops off with time or retires. E.g.The current line up of the Tremeloes only has one original member. I have mixed feelings about actual tribute bands. Theatres and venues book them as a safe bet, so it gives work to musicians - on the other hand it doesn't encourage originality..or creativity when those musicians could be performing their own material on their own merits.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Apr 23 - 07:23 PM

The nearest I've got to seeing a tribute band was when we went to the Dubliners musical a few weeks ago in Truro. It got stunning reviews but, well, I dunno...The main man there was a bloke who'd known the lads. He and his band were pretty good though over-loud (and he sang with a vibrato that I never heard the Dubs do). There was a lot of in-between commentary and an awful lot of sentiment, and a few of the songs were pulled around or shortened a fair bit. The audience loved it and joined in raucously with the songs (as indeed did I when I knew the words), but I just came away thinking, well, that wasn't really the heart and soul of the lads...

I can listen to Dubs records or YouTubes with a tear in my eye whenever Luke is singing. I'll stick to me records, I think.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: meself
Date: 22 Apr 23 - 08:03 PM

To me, it's another of those live and let live, one man's meat, to each their own, you take the high road, different strokes for different horses, different courses for different folks, you say tomato, I say two words and they ain't Merry Christmas, etc., type of things. I've never had, and, I predict, never will have, any interest in seeing a tribute band. However, I've never put five minutes into concocting a philosophical objection; I'm satisfied to simply acknowledge that the idea doesn't appeal to me, and leave it at that. I have a musician-friend who periodically goes to Las Vegas, and comes back telling me about some tribute band he saw, how cheap the price of admission was, how good the music was, etc. I listen politely, but it's just not my cup of poison.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 23 Apr 23 - 02:08 AM

I saw Canned Heat in Blackpool of all places. The band contained two original members. Bob Hite's part was taken by an American blues singer Robert Lucas. Henry Vestine, with his veins full of drugs, still managed to bounce around like the 'Sunflower' he was nicknamed. and was found dead in a French hotel room three weeks later. Junior Watson replaced Blind Owl Wilson. The music was rough but good. I came away thinking what a powerful band the classic lineup must have been, when and if they got it right, and were not tearing lumps out of each other. Fito de la Parra, was still banging away on the drums, but protecting himself with earplugs, and looking tired as hell. Yes they are a working blues band, doing Al Wilson's songs to this day, and refusing to let go of the Golden Woodstock days. The band have a row of coffins in their wake that testify to the fact that they are still a bad luck band. Am I happy or sad that I saw them? A bit of both I suppose. Should they stop touring? Well, there's a question. It comes to us all I suppose. When you become your own tribute band, questions should be asked- but then 'Don't foget to boogie!'

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Apr 23 - 02:23 AM

I have no interest in seeing a tribute band.
Tribute bands would not be able to perform without the original bands material so providing they pay the correct PRS etc they are not breaking any law.
It is not something I concern myself about, I no longer waste time on things I cannot change, they give people pleasure and if they pay all the correct royalties, why not , but not for me

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 23 Apr 23 - 05:53 AM

> One of the stranger things now, is when even the original band, of the
> 50's-70's are now effectively only a tribute band.

I remember my brother telling me about a late-era Wishbone Ash concert, where only one of the original members was present. Of the four, only he felt able to actually improvise, rather than copy the improvs as originally recorded.

OTOH they did actually play their instruments, not fake it in front of a backing track. Some fans *demand* bug-for-bug compatibility with the original.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 23 Apr 23 - 06:39 AM

Good point.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Apr 23 - 01:05 PM

I must say that the performance, compared to some of the lacklustre performances I have witnessed on the folk scene (present company excepted of course!) was quite spectacular. Conversely, they did about 50 minutes each half which, again compared to folk concerts, was nowhere near enough :-( Mind you, apart from Maddy Prior, I have not seen any folk artists dance like that:-D

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 23 Apr 23 - 01:47 PM

I HAVE BUT WITH ZIMMER FRAMES

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,Ed.
Date: 23 Apr 23 - 01:53 PM

Dave,

I'm not going to comment on this thread but, by a complete fluke, today I came across this old BBC Arena portrait from 2007:

Into the Limelight - Tribute Bands.

It won't be to the taste of many here, but from very the little I know of you, thought that you might enjoy.

Music by the people, for the people. We can't be having that.... *grin*

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Apr 23 - 02:29 PM

Thanks for the link Ed. I shall enjoy that later. And thanks for the sentiment. I enjoyed that straight away:-D

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Apr 23 - 02:32 PM

I like yot comment too, Dick. Self depreciation is one of our better human traits:-)

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Neil D
Date: 24 Apr 23 - 02:48 AM

I'm not a fan. The only time I ever see them is when the carnival comes to town and they park a flatbed trailer on Canal St that is set up a stage. The free entertainment is mostly tribute bands and cover bands. The latter are bands doing all covers but they cover different artists instead of just one band. For 15 years ending last year I lived a half block away from that stage so I got to listen to these bands whether I wanted to or not. The weird thing is that the cover bands didn't irritate me nearly as much as the tribute bands and I don't even know why. I'd still rather hear a band doing their own material even if they are young kids still searching for their sound. The tribute bands are not young, some have been tributing the same bands for thirty years or more and are quite adept. I don't know how they don't get sick of playing the same songs year in and year out. I do know why. They, surprisingly. make very good money doing this shtick. Top Beatle bands like 1964 and Abby Road earn six figure plus yearly incomes.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Apr 23 - 09:24 AM

I just watched the BBC documentary - I can highly recommend it. Thanks again, Ed.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Apr 23 - 06:29 PM

We have a couple of shows coming up in Edinburgh theatres in the next few weeks:
Firstly, A Dubliners-style concert at Edinburgh's Playhouse theatre on Sunday the 30th April, called "Seven Drunken Nights" I would have gone, but will be out of town at......an..other folk festival! (Husband will be at home fending off any would-be burglars!) For me, some of their magic is in the tunes of John Sheahan, who played fiddle and whistle for them for many years - he has some outstanding tunes of his own, as featured on his CD "Flirting Fiddles".
Then, since Runrig, another of my favourite bands, has officially retired, there is a musical on the circuit called "The Stamping Ground": this has already done well in Inverness and will be on stage at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre from May 23-27th. A tribute to Runrig.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Captain Swing
Date: 25 Apr 23 - 05:57 AM

..... and of course, Fairport continues to be its own tribute band!

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Apr 23 - 07:54 AM

Runrig were one of my favourite bands so I shall look out for that show if it ever heads south. Thanks Tattie

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 25 Apr 23 - 07:59 AM

Bothy band tribute

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Apr 23 - 08:28 AM

The Dubliners thing I mentioned above was called Seven Drunken Nights.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Apr 23 - 08:48 AM

Tribute bands aren’t really my thing, but each to his own and if others enjoy them, that’s good. ‘The Legal Eagles’ and ‘Bjorn Again’ were pretty decent.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Donuel
Date: 29 Apr 23 - 06:54 AM

Non human tribute bands and songs are coming in the form of AI versions.

Be it deep fakes or AI. there are better lies coming.
That is why I suspect there will be new laws pertaining to new forms of speech and music. It is a brave new world.

Music AI hybrids are already here. Its been done with Drake creating his voice, band, and lyrics.
I would like to combine AI Raval and Debussy since copyright infringement doesn't exist. AI music can evade copyrights strategically so its the wild west out there currently. Some artists accept the inevitable and welcome new versions of themselves emerging.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 29 Apr 23 - 09:36 AM

The original Doctor Who theme tune was built up from oscillator outputs using tape and a razor blade. Once the four-track tape recorder came along, bands such as the Beatles started building tracks like a layer cake. Dr Moog started the death march of the physical instrument: synths make good musician sound excellent and beginners sound passable. Then there's that wretched AutoTune, which to me sounds like someone's made a smoothie out of a Dalek.

Deep-fake music is just another tool in the box. What I'm waiting for is the copyright scraps: at least with sampling, the original is obvious, and what is a deep fake but sampling on steroids? The ultimate test is whether whatever you do, however you do it, sounds any good in two years' time. Oh, and whether you can repeat it live on stage, which is where we came in: tribute bands are today's homage to yesterday's greats.