I can see being in a band that plays covers as everyone has to start out somewhere. But a band that deals exclusively in covers, and covers of a specific acts at that, is just a special kind of sad.

FeedTheCollapse: I can see being in a band that plays covers as everyone has to start out somewhere. But a band that deals exclusively in covers, and covers of a specific acts at that, is just a special kind of sad.


If you look at classical music, orchestras in essence are tribute bands. They might not wear Mozart's white wigs and funny pants, but basically they're playing other people material's from centuries ago.
So, will the same thing happen to rock eventually?

FeedTheCollapse: is just a special kind of sad.

Why? Because they found a way to earn a living and play music?

the_cnidarian: Why? Because they found a way to earn a living and play music?

because they can memorize an entire song note for note and can't create their own shiat. Nothing against doing covers, but since cover bands generally involve dressing up like said act, fark that.

FeedTheCollapse: the_cnidarian: Why? Because they found a way to earn a living and play music?

because they can memorize an entire song note for note and can't create their own shiat. Nothing against doing covers, but since cover bands generally involve dressing up like said act, fark that.

and moreover, how depressing would it be to be in a cover band for years and years, and know that you never have and never will release an album

There's always an exception to the rule. (pops)

I've got a local Pink Floyd tribute band I go to see from time to time. They're pretty damn good and are as close to the real thing as I'm gonna see in my life. So that technically makes them better than the real thing.

I saw Strutter, the officially-endorsed KISS tribute band, and I bet they were actually better than the real thing.

Best acts I've seen so far were Physical Graffiti (early 90s) and Draw The Line. Lez Zeppelin brought a good show, too. Maybe these guys have side gigs where they play their own music? About .001% of musicians actually "make it", so traveling as a successful cover act doesn't sound so depressing, as long as they love what they're doing. Nothing like a $10 ticket to stand 10 feet from the stage and hear great renditions with a club full of enthusiastic fans, band included.

Super Diamond is actually a pretty cool show.

The best Genesis tribute band out there, recreating the 1976 tour. (pops)


/Has seen them twice, doing remakes of the '72 and '73 tours.
//Hopes they come to his area this time

We all die young.

FeedTheCollapse: I can see being in a band that plays covers as everyone has to start out somewhere. But a band that deals exclusively in covers, and covers of a specific acts at that, is just a special kind of sad.

I'm all for cover bands actually, but I feel the same way about Guitar Hero...just remove musical talent completely from the equation.

Japanese Beatles (new window)
Korean Queen Tribute Band (new window)

FeedTheCollapse: the_cnidarian: Why? Because they found a way to earn a living and play music?

because they can memorize an entire song note for note and can't create their own shiat. Nothing against doing covers, but since cover bands generally involve dressing up like said act, fark that.

Actually, what's truly sad is that cover bands by and large get paid far more money than a lot of original bands. This leads to some incredibly creative and talented musicians resorting to playing tired classic rock hits in order to bring home a decent paycheck.

Australian Pink Floyd > Every other cover band to ever exist.

That is all.

Anarchangel: Australian Pink Floyd > Every other cover band to ever exist.

That is all.


gonna have to agree. i don't generally check out cover bands anyway, but i had a couple of friends insist i check them out. i saw them at roseland ballroom in ny last fall, and it was one hell of a show. the singer's voice is a dead ringer for roger waters'. and the guitar tone and everything, dead on. they were touring specifically doing the wall, and did some other stuff too from meddle and dark side. awesome show.

I used to go and see the Pixies tribute band Wave of Mutilation whenever they came through town. They were better than the Pixies were on their last tour.

These guys are creepier than shiat:

Beatles Tribute - The Fab Four (new window)

All of those videos use music performed by the band...NOT the Beatles. Whether or not the Beatles are your thing, I challenge ANYONE to find a tribute band who sounds more like their chosen act.

Japanese AC/DC (new window)

So good, I thought that was the actual Brian Johnson.

A.P.F. ROCKS! You cant achieve the greatness of the original or ever surpass it, but if youre these guys, you can get close

Anarchangel: Australian Pink Floyd > Every other cover band to ever exist.

That is all.

Agreed. They mention The Machine and not Aussie Floyd? Are you kidding me?

Epic fail.

Only thing more lame than playing in a tribute band is getting a job at Guitar Center.

Anyone who can make a living playing music is okay in my book.

Draw the Line

Several Species and Kashmir are both relatively decent cover acts that tour the east coast extensively.

Hell's Belles rocks.

That is all.

RoyBatty: Super Diamond is actually a pretty cool show.

Have tickets in April. Last time we actually saw Neil Diamond (a few years back)it sounded like his voice was shot. Maybe it was just a really off night. Haven't seen him since. I've heard Super Diamond really sounds like the old Diamond.

I'd go see AC/DShe.

My favorite covers are actually more in the remake category. Heard a stunning 'Walking on the Moon' version using original vocals...some of the stuff on the original Blackest Box had merit...but seriously, playing tunes to sound like a record has never been the elite caliber. There's a reason SRV's Voodoo Chile and Little Wing are great - because it's a personal style. Paul Blart and tribute bands exemplify the notion that people will go out to be entertained. Mass appeal, and what better than a collection that's already full of hits?

It's like some poor bastard took the Rocky Horror Picture Show live-accompaniment to general music. "Who cares! We pay ASCAP and they're dead/disbanded anyway!"

/I'll be in my guitaritorium, not practicing covers

"You.. you 'member Beatlemania?"

The Atomic Punks are incredibly fun to see live.

FeedTheCollapse: the_cnidarian: Why? Because they found a way to earn a living and play music?

because they can memorize an entire song note for note and can't create their own shiat. Nothing against doing covers, but since cover bands generally involve dressing up like said act, fark that.

I can't speak for every tribute band out there, but having played around on the LA music scene briefly and met some of these guys, every one of them I met was busting ass in an original band - the tribute band gigs are the side project to pay some bills.

I've never been in a tribute band myself, unless you count one all Ramones set after dee dee died...

But let me see, guys playing music of a band they love, and trying really hard to sound just like that band, for people who are fans of that same band...

...yeah I hate that. That's real lame shiat. It should be banned by the cool police immediately.

Roto-Rot: Japanese AC/DC (new window)

So good, I thought that was the actual Brian Johnson.

I really hope you are kidding.

FeedTheCollapse: I can see being in a band that plays covers as everyone has to start out somewhere. But a band that deals exclusively in covers, and covers of a specific acts at that, is just a special kind of sad.

I'm 53 and have been playing drums since I was 16. At this point I'm pretty sure I'm not going to make it big in the music industry as a rock star. What I do enjoy is going out with some musician buddies of mine and playing in our cover band in the local bars to have a good time, make people dance and pick up a few bucks on the side. We aren't a tribute band. We play a wide range of tunes based exclusively on what we like to play and what we think our crowd wants to dance to. It's not really sad at all. It's actually quite a blast.

The Dynamite Monkey: I've never been in a tribute band myself, unless you count one all Ramones set after dee dee died...

But let me see, guys playing music of a band they love, and trying really hard to sound just like that band, for people who are fans of that same band...

...yeah I hate that. That's real lame shiat. It should be banned by the cool police immediately.

It works for a post apocalyptic world where all recordings have been destroyed, but otherwise, it's pretty lame.

/Pander pander pander pander pander pander paycheck PAYCHECK

PickinWhiskers: Roto-Rot: Japanese AC/DC (new window)

So good, I thought that was the actual Brian Johnson.

I really hope you are kidding.

Seconded. Last I knew, Brian Johnson doesn't sing in Engrish.

boxster: PickinWhiskers: Roto-Rot: Japanese AC/DC (new window)

So good, I thought that was the actual Brian Johnson.

I really hope you are kidding.

Seconded. Last I knew, Brian Johnson doesn't sing in Engrish.

Herrs Berrs. My Tempature's High.

Project Object is almost as good as the real thing (and is better than the officially-sanctioned Zappa tribute).


Yo! Miles is almost as good as the real thing.

"Tribute bands almost as good as the real thing."

What does that mean to someone like a Wang Chung cover band exactly?

article sez...

>>When the real Pink Floyd toured - and let's face it, Floydies, they probably won't again, unless David Gilmour has a stunning change of heart -

Me thinks they forgot one other important detail....ya think!!!??

altmulder: article sez...

>>When the real Pink Floyd toured - and let's face it, Floydies, they probably won't again, unless David Gilmour has a stunning change of heart -

Me thinks they forgot one other important detail....ya think!!!??

Yeah, I don't think Rick will be joining them unless they prop up his mortal remains.

No.
No.
No.
Musicians who play nothing but covers are the lowest common denomonator of bottom feeding subhuman filth ever.

I'm going to see "The Pink Floyd Experience" in Milwaukee tonight. No guilt.

/addicted to Floyd cover bands

I was forced to see Billy Joel tribute band Big Shot recently, who are a big deal here on Long Island. They played spot-on covers, but I just cannot wrap my head around the appeal of a cover band. There were people at this show I knew from high school (people around age 21, this is) telling me they've seen Big Shot ten times this year.

Maybe I'd go see Australian Pink Floyd or Dark Star Orchestra, but they're expensive.

Hey! You tribute band guys! Yeah, you with the guitars and drums and such, out to enjoy yourself for the evening and have fun. Stop it!! Stop having fun! There are soooo may people that are so much better than you, including me. Can't you see that? Fark agrees with me! You must be losers! Aren't you listening? Oh, I guess not. You're too busy having harmless fun to give a shiat about my opinion.

Adaptiv: No.
No.
No.
Musicians who play nothing but covers are the lowest common denomonator of bottom feeding subhuman filth ever.

How is your band doing?

shadowself: How is your band doing?

How is your bands dignity doing?

i saw a tv concert of "australian pink floyd."
they NAILED the 80's/90's gilmour era sound and stage stuff...

but i'd really like to see a PF tribute band that has a good Rog impersonator and a good gilmour impersonator and wish that they would play both Rog era songs and Gilmour era songs.
that would be FREAKIN AWESOME.

/ there was a PF tribute band at The Ex [rides and entertainment weekend] in my city one year.... i missed them but i heard they were pretty good.
// there was a Nicks and Buckingham era Fleetwood Mac tribute band on at some park in my city a few years ago... i wasn't close to the stage so i couldn't totally make out if they looked totally like the Mac or not, but they sure sounded like them. they were great! amazingly close.