Tribute bands

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Will Fly
Date: 02 May 09 - 06:30 AM

I once supported Dr Strangely Strange as a member of The Half-Remarkable Questionnaires, an Incredible String Band tribute band featuring some of the folk world's finest & experiencing something quite transcendental along the way... Well, you would, wouldn't you?

I think I'd call that an Attribute Band... :-)

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 02 May 09 - 05:41 AM

I've been to see one tribute band in my time (the Counterfeit Stones) and very good they were, but I don't think I'd go again to that sort of thing - or play in one.

Apparently the Bootleg Beatles do a show that covers the Fabs' entire career - including the 1967-70 period when they didn't actually play live (unless you count the rooftop session). That idea appeals to me - a re-creation of something that was never actually created in the first place.

For a singer it's quite an interesting one. If you've got a big voice and you like Van Morrison, you might as well do a set of Van Morrison numbers - you may have a few ideas for your own stuff, but let's face it, it's not going to go down as well as Moondance or St Dominic's Preview. But that's a recipe for never writing anything of your own, since after all you'll probably never write anything as good as Van Morrison at his best - you could end up in a rather comfortable dead end. This is one reason I like singing traditional material - it's not *mine*, but it's not anyone else's either. Or else it is mine just as much as it's anyone else's.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 02 May 09 - 05:17 AM

Tribute bands are neat; I once supported Dr Strangely Strange as a member of The Half-Remarkable Questionnaires, an Incredible String Band tribute band featuring some of the folk world's finest & experiencing something quite transcendental along the way... Well, you would, wouldn't you?

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 02 May 09 - 05:15 AM

I think the term 'tribute band' is actually an abbreviation of 'tribute bandwagon'

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Will Fly
Date: 02 May 09 - 04:51 AM

I think there's a subtle difference in a tribute band - the members of which have no connection whatsoever to the original, but who play exclusively that band's material - and a band which uses the original name and purports to be that band itself. A cat's whisker of difference, perhaps... As I recall, there were around three different versions of the "original Drifters" doing the rounds at one time.

In my own particular experience, I played guitar and sang in a UK trio called "The Checkmates". Our drummer had played for a bit at the tail end of an outfit called Emile Ford & The Checkmates and, many years later, got permission from Emile to use the name. (Emile Ford was the first black singer from the Caribbean to have a No. 1 hit in this country). In actual fact, we did about three songs by Ford and then just played '50s rock'n roll - so the name was really an advertising ploy, I suppose. We got a few gigs supporting UK bands like Matchbox and Showaddywaddy, and then I left from the sheer boredom of travelling many miles to play for 30 minutes and not very much money.

It all seemed so false - which is why I always look upon bands who've decided to make a living from this as slightly sad, I suppose.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,Ken Brock
Date: 01 May 09 - 09:56 PM

Quote - Does the name "tribute band" include bands that keep the original name and descended from the original group, but no longer contain any of the original members, such as the current Kingston Trio or the current Limeliters? What distinguished them from, say, a KT tribute band, other than the rates they charge? end quote.

In the case of the KT, management of the current group by Bob Shane and George Grove's 27 years of performing with Shane (1976-2004) and 10 years (1988-98) performing with Nick Reynolds, not to mention reunion concerts with Guard and Stewart.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Mooh
Date: 01 May 09 - 09:40 PM

For a few years I was the bass player in a Neil Young tribute band called The Unknown Legends (after the song Unknown Legend). Bass, drums, and front man singer/guitarist, with an occasional backup singer. I love Neil Young, and it was fun stuff to play, especially on fretless bass, but substance abuse by the drummer pretty much sucked the joy out of it for me.

We did all the usual "greatest hits" stuff plus lesser known songs, sometimes jamming them out in long excursions of the Neil kind. People loved the act, though we acted as ourselves. They danced, sang along, requested songs, reminisced, and often sat in for a song or two. When I joined the band I thought no one would book us, but we never had much trouble getting gigs...Neil Young sells!

We were a tribute, though we certainly did our own thing with the songs. We were true to the song's key, and general arrangement, unless we were jamming more. Compared to Young's own band, our drummer underplayed, I overplayed, and "Neil" was spot on.

I'm not sure I would ever be attracted to listening to a tribute band, or even playing in another one unless it was something akin to Neil Young. The songs need to be wide ranging, meaningful to me, jammable, and up to repeated playing and listening.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,Tinker in Chicago
Date: 01 May 09 - 04:37 PM

Does the name "tribute band" include bands that keep the original name and descended from the original group, but no longer contain any of the original members, such as the current Kingston Trio or the current Limeliters? What distinguished them from, say, a KT tribute band, other than the rates they charge?

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 May 09 - 11:54 AM

I was shopping in a nearby town this morning and, just out of curiosity, popped into the local library/concert hall foyer to see what was on. Not a lot apart from tribute bands or shows recreating the '50s or '60s or Motown era, with various musicians playing the parts.

I felt slightly depressed for no particular reason. (I was in a reconstituted group for a short spell - by "reconstituted", I mean part of a once well-known band with just one original member but using the name. There's plenty of that going around as well. I got fed up with it and left after some months). For the talented musicians in these shows - and they are talented - it's probably good money and a steady tour while it lasts, and good luck to them. But I just wished that, in amongst it all, there had been something original.

I've been to see one tribute band in my time (the Counterfeit Stones) and very good they were, but I don't think I'd go again to that sort of thing - or play in one. Any thoughts? I'm not looking for arguments here, by the way, just musings and/or views...

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,Confused
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 04:32 AM

Who are the New Scorpion Band meant to be emulating???? Oh sorry - I think I get it now

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: fat B****rd
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 02:47 AM

The Hebrew tribute band "Rabbi Williams" !!

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: C-flat
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 11:49 AM

Fake Thackray?

Subject: RE: Tribute bands
From: GUEST,Santa
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 11:40 AM

Folk Tribute bands? Most of the old performers are still out there performing. It's a bit difficult to have (say) a Steeleye Span tribute band with SS still touring.

Do the New Scorpion Band count?

A Jake Thackery tribute tour might be worth seeing.

Subject: Tribute bands
From: C-flat
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 11:27 AM

I've seen a few tribute bands in recent years and, many years ago, played in a band that featured a lot of Eagles music, but that was before "tribute bands" were invented (none of us looked like anybody, anyway.)
I'm often amused by the band names; B-Eagles, Shanias'Twin, Fleetfoot-Mike, Floo Fighters,etc,etc, but I nearly always find myself wincing with embarrassment when the, supposed, look-alike/sound-alike frontman attempts to remain in character between songs. On one occassion I went to see a friend who was playing in a U2 tribute band and, while the music was passable, I felt like slapping "Bonos'" face everytime he attempted a bit of banter with the crowd. He sounded more like like Val Doonigan!(remember him? Now there's a tribute in the making)
Another time I met a well known Al Jolson act when he barged into the recording studio(while we were recording!),he spluttered an apology in his best Jolsonese (I heard Jimmy Stewart) and left.
Apparently this guy is in character all the time! He IS Al Jolson!
I've payed tribute to many performers over the years simply by recreating their music but I do at least try to make it a version rather than a straight copy and can't imagine what kind of experience it is to go on stage and pretend to be someone else.
I can see (to a point) the value of tributes to bands that are no longer performing but I wonder about the validity of those attempts to copy bands that are currently performing.