Tribute bands aren’t for the faint of heart that’s for sure. Beatlemania had a great run helping those who missed the Beatles get the entire “Beatles Experience’, or the Jim Hendrix Experience’, or a multitude of other experiences and I wont even venture in to Elvis impersonators cuz that’s far too scary.
Seems to me every band who’s ever sold an album has a tribute band behind them willing to cash in. Heck its like knock off handbags if you think about it.. if you cant get the real thing a high quality fake could very well do the trick.
I have to say I’m not a fan. My thought being real or no deal but I have in fact accompanied others to see a couple. What amazes me the most is how these bands take on the persona of those they impersonate. The few Ive seen even had the audacity to take on the ego.
More amusing that that though is the fans themselves. Are they seriously buying in to this? I have seen girls throw themselves at a faux Eddie Vedder and I have seen that same person eat it with a spoon. He thought he was Eddie. Although characteristically not same in appearance the swagger the plaid the grunge was there……that’s sorta it. I know Pearl Jam, U2, Springsteen, they sell out fast but really why do we settle for the gaggle of want to be’s in the wake.
Perhaps we don’t really care what we see as long as its ‘sorta like’. Not me hell no do I want to see a tribute or cover band. Why? cuz I wont wear designer knock offs either. There is a difference in doing a cover song than to being a cover band. I can walk around all day you pretending to be someone I’m not (actually I do), but do I go and actually take the career of another and pretend I’m them? No.
Well I guess if you are ready to lower your standards hear someone that may sorta sound like Sublime go for it. If you don’t want to pay scalper fees to see a sold out show I guess 5 dollar cover will suffice to see a tribute band.
Personally to me its just a reason to drink. Just as beer goggles ensure a good date- beer earphones ensure a great show.
scared yet?
We have been discussing cover songs lately but what about cover people?