Tribute bands. What do you expect?

[BigRedX]

I'm starting this thread because one of my bands shared the stage with a tribute act at the weekend and TBH I was less than impressed with the whole set up. I'm wondering if it's just me as a musician, and the fact that one of the original band was a massive influence on my playing, being too picky; or if I'm justified in my concerns.

 

First off I do have to say that I'm not really interested in tribute bands (or covers bands in general) as either a musician or a punter so that might be colouring my views. Over the years I've been lucky enough to be able to see most of the bands that I really like in the days when they were still young and hungry, and for those that I missed there are always the records or CDs, and even now there are new exciting and interesting bands, whose music appeals to me, appearing all the time, so I don't really need the nostalgia.

 

The band in question were a Joy Division tribute. I had a chance to see Joy Division at what turned out to be their penultimate gig, but turned it down in order to go to Sheffield to see Vice-Versa and Clock DVA, thinking that there would always be another opportunity to see Joy Division but I might not get the chance to see Vice-Versa again. How wrong I was... Also anyone who has seen or heard my band recently will probably have spotted that Peter Hook continues to be a massive influence on my bass playing.

 

So for the tribute...

 

The good. The singer had Ian Cutis nailed in pretty much every respect - the voice and the look complete with the thousand yard stare and manic "arm dancing". He is obviously the star of the show and rightly so.

 

However the rest of the band not so much. While the drummer and guitars had the correct Man At C&A look, the bass player had either missed the memo or just hadn't bothered. He looked like he'd stepped out of some late 90s nu-metal band complete with inappropriate metal band bass. While I don't expect obsessive attention to detail with the instruments, if you are tributing someone with an iconic look and performance then IMO you really need to make more of an effort at least with the clothes. I don't know if he was a stand-in for their regular bass player (I don't think so), but absolutely nothing about him including his playing style was in any way reminiscent of Peter Hook. He may have played mostly the right notes but the feel was wrong and this was especially noticeable on Transmission and Love Will Tear Us Apart. If I was in this band I'd have been embarrassed to have been seen on stage with him.

 

I think for this band in particular they had made the basic mis-assumption that Joy Division songs are easy to play. Admittedly by the time of Ian Cutis' demise the band were still quite basic in their general musical abilities, but they had each developed a unique playing style that can make covering the songs properly less than straight forward. So while the singer's performance was obviously the product of hours in front of the mirror, the others really hadn't done their homework. The guitar was much too distorted most of the time, and the drummer was noticeably struggling with the 16ths hi-hat patterns and the more up-tempo songs. For all his other faults the bass player had a reasonably authentic tone, but only because the venue's bass amp wasn't working and so I let him use my bass rig and had him going through my slightly modified version of Peter Hook's actual "Salford Rules" Helix Patch. Otherwise he would have been going straight into a standard bass amp or direct to the PA with no effects.

 

So as a musician, a fan of the original band and their bass player in particular, am I being too critical? The rest of the audience seemed to like them well enough. As an audience member what should I expect from a tribute band? Should it be as close as possible to going to see the "real thing" both musically and visually? I'm happy for the bands to take advantage of advances in technology to make the performance sound better. I certainly don't want the typical late 70s and early 80s live experience of ropy FoH sound and almost inaudible vocals that plagued most of the gigs I went to in smaller venues at the time. However I'm someone who thinks that the visual aspect of a gig is probably as important as the musical one. If the tribute band haven't made the effort to at least wear the right clothes, does that not simply make them a covers bands with a very limited repertoire?

 

I know that there's a number of you on here who play in tribute bands. How far musically and visually do you think you need to go? What does your audience think? Are you genuinely fans of the original band or is it just another paying gig? Other than my gripes about the band that started this all off, I'm trying not to be critical but to understand what a tribute band audience actually want.

[Woodinblack]

Personally, although I am also not interested in tribute groups, I can live without the exact look if there is an approximation. I think it is more important to a tribute than a cover band, while I am happy to play motown with a Ibanez iceman, I don't think its right for a tribute, but maybe they are starting out, not that well off and that is what they have. However, they have to get the sound and the feel right, something I feel that a lot of bands don't bother with. It sounds like this is a band built around the singer just getting people to support them, and they didn't pay attention to the other bits because they didnt' feel it was important. It doesn't matter how easy or hard a bassline is, and I don't really see anything hard in doing joy division (which in a way makes it worse), the aim should be to nail it almost perfectly, especially the feel, unless it was a last minute stand-in.

 

 

[cetera]

Having once played in a hugely successful tribute for 25 years, I'd say that it's all about 'attention to detail' - otherwise you are just a covers band, concentrating on one act.

While, obviously, the members of a tribute band are going to have different body sizes/shapes and looks they should at least ATTEMPT to dress/present themselves close to the artist they are tributing so they are are recognisable. Again, while the instrument being played doesn't have to be EXACTLY the same (i.e. not a 62 P bass.... just a normal p bass, pref in same colour) it should be recognisable as the same shape/type as the original where possible.
Musically, songs should be played/performed like the classic album/famous live version.... and 'between song banter' should also be familiar/in style of.

It goes without saying (I would hope) that reproducing the musical sound/texture/tones/character is the overall priority that sets a proper tribute apart as an accurate and faithful recreation.

 

[12stringbassist]

Anything a tribute band does that isn't correct is wrong and asking to be picked apart by those who expect slavish attention to detail.
You either do it right or wait for the criticism.

The two tributes I would see again and again are the Bootleg Beatles and T.Rextasy, because they go the extra mile to get everything as near as possible.

The point made above that if you don't try to get as much as possible right, then you're just a cover band concentrating on one group is exactly correct.

[toneknob]

I was the Rutherford in several Genesis tribute bands. I'm not 6ft3 with a beard, but had tick in box for Rickenbacker 4001, Shergold double-neck, 12-string acoustic, Moog Taurus bass pedals.

I got some of the notes right as well!

 

[chris_b]

Most guys I see in pubs and clubs doing this are a "tribute to xxxx" rather than being a "Tribute" band. If you just want to focus playing the songs of one band, then most punters will be happy if you just look like you. I know guys who copy the same gear, clothes, wigs and accents. If you want to break into theatres then levels of authenticity and "the show" have no limits.

 

I've played in Free, Led Zep, Fleetwood Mac/Peter Green and Allman Brothers "tribute" bands but we just played their songs, so not really "tributes" at all.

Edited May 20 by chris_b

[Lozz196]

In my opinion either do it 100% accurate, as @cetera says above, with attention to detail as a "we want to deliver the whole package" with correct instruments, outfits and stage moves, or do it as a tribute to the music only, where you play the songs but don`t bother to look or perform like the original. No point in doing it halfway. Most of the tribute bands I`ve seen have been pretty good, with The Likeness and The Jamm being two that stood out for musical delivery.

[borntohang]

I've been in a Devo tribute for seven years now - our outfits are as reasonably close as budget allows and our singer luckily has an uncanny resemblance to Mark. I happen to shave my head which matches my counterpart, but it wasn't intentional. Beyond that we just play the songs as we would want to hear them played with plenty of attitude and has always gone down well. We've done rearrangements of some of the synth-heavy stuff for more guitars and don't use any track or clicks. We have one singer instead of three and the 'wrong' musicians play synth so sometimes we have a real bass instead of a synth, or some other combination.

 

I think our general attitude has been to recreate the energy and attitude of the early live shows rather than the recorded versions - I had three bootlegs I considered 'source material' and we worked from those. We don't do any banter at all because when we did people actually complained, so now we just play through with either transitions or jumping immediately into the next song. I can get 60 minutes into a 90 minute set before we pause long enough to need to say anything...

 

I sometimes get compliments about the accuracy of my synth sounds which is funny because they're all pretty basic pads and basses; if the situation arose then I could actually live patch most of it on a vintage MiniMoog for authenticity, but we just use a little digital Novation instead. Very bare bones.

 

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

The thing I’m taking from this is that he didn’t bring his own rig. Even if I knew there was a house rig, I’d bring mine.

[BigRedX]

24 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

The thing I’m taking from this is that he didn’t bring his own rig. Even if I knew there was a house rig, I’d bring mine.

 

We were told by both the venue and promotor that there was a drum kit and a guitar and bass amp at the venue which we could use and we knew the tribute band would be using the house kit. We brought our backline because it doesn't take up much space in the transport or on stage, but used the house kit, as it's generally more convenient at multi-band gigs. Just as well really as "backstage" was through the audience and down a flight of stairs which would have been a nightmare for shifting drum kits and backline. TBH their bass player probably sounded better going through my Peter Hook Helix patch into the PA then he would had a brought his own (probably very metal) rig.

[TimR]

I saw Mr Punch (Itallian tribute to Fish era Marillion) at Camden Underworld last month.

 

They were outstanding.

 

The bass player looked a bit odd, hadn't really dressed the part, turned out later he was stand in. Musically he was superb.

 

Maybe if you're putting together a tribute act, occasionally you'll have to make compromises. It's hard enough to get decent bass players, let alone ones that are available and can/want to play the material. Then you're asking them to dress up and play a certain instrument. 

 

I wonder if you were a drummer whether you'd pick up on 'drummer type' differences? 

 

I play in several bands. I own one bass and one amp. 

Edited May 20 by TimR

[BigRedX]

25 minutes ago, TimR said:

Maybe if you're putting together a tribute act, occasionally you'll have to make compromises. It's hard enough to get decent bass players, let alone ones that are available and can/want to play the material. Then you're asking them to dress up and play a certain instrument.

 

It's hardly difficult to dress like Joy Division era Peter Hook. A light coloured long sleeve shirt with the sleeves partially rolled up and medium grey trousers. If you don't already have something close to that in your wardrobe, you could probably get it for about £10 from Primark. 

 

It is my experience that some musicians just don't get the concept of band image. We used to have the same problem with stand-in drummers and guitarists for The Terrortones. While we didn't expect them to get leathered up, although it would be great if they did, the guidelines were "wear black - no obvious band or brand logos and no trainers for the guitarists". You'd be amazed at how many couldn't (or didn't want to) follow a simple instruction like that. Whenever I have played with new musicians I always ask about band image before the first gig and if there is one will conform to it.

 

35 minutes ago, TimR said:

I wonder if you were a drummer whether you'd pick up on 'drummer type' differences? 

 

I already did in my OP.

[police squad]

In my 18 odd years as Sting in 2 different police tributes, I have only ever had one punter say that my Bravewood looked just like Sting's beaten up old bass.

I had a telecaster put together and relic'd for Both Andy Summers that I have played. I had one drummer even but the correct Tama kit in the right colour

I've spent a lot of time watching Sting move and try to copy those movements

 

We always dress the part, although as I hit laste 40s, the flying suit and fretless P bass stopped coming out.

 

These days the Bravewood is gone and I use a Harley Benton PB50 which is in the modification process, smaller headstock and I will refinish it two tone SB

 

We dont do big shows now, we just do a few of the bigger music pubs around the south east.

 

If I go to see a tribute I do like to see the correct guitars. I know people dont always look like who they are playing but dressing the same helps a lot

[tauzero]

Never got to the point of gigging when I was with a Marillion tribute - I did already have a Warwick Thumb and I went to the trouble of finding a strap the same as Pete Trewavas's, and I got a Cort GB4 as he also used one of those (or a GB94, identical other than the colour of the logo). I'm not slim with curly hair though.

[uk_lefty]

I'm a left handed bass player and over the years I've been tempted to answer a few ads for Beatles tributes. If I had joined any I would be buying a Hofner and the black suit with no lapels, white collarless shirt, otherwise what's the point? If you don't do the clothes and get the instruments in the right ballpark then why even restrict yourself to material from just one band? Just be a sixties cover band or whatever.

 

My band at the moment is being asked to do 00's theme nights. We've had tons of discussions about whether we should include a song or two from 1999 or 2010, whether there is anything distinctive from the decade to wear, etc. but luckily it's not too complicated to pull off. We've never had anyone say "hey! Left handed mexican p basses weren't available in the Noughties!" Or criticism of how we dress. At the end of the day, when we do this we are "The Desert Penguins plays the Noughties" or something similar title so that you know we are a band doing a special set for the night, rather than a specialist band... If we were we would have to be called "The Noughty boys" or something awful like that.

[Franticsmurf]

I was in a 'Plays the Music of...' Eagles band for a few years. When we put it together was talked about making it a tribute act but none of us looked remotely like the Eagles so we made a conscious decision not to try. As has been said above, a half-hearted attempt would be worse than none. That said, we made some effort with clothing and instruments to fit in with the look and feel of the Eagles. I didn't play my headless bass in those gigs (nor was it there as a back up - I used my P Bass with the Jazz as a backup)), one of the guitarists used a twin neck for Hotel California and we opened with the close harmonies of  'Seven Bridges Road'. At many of the gigs we played, while the gig was advertised as an evening of Eagles music by the agent and tickets sold as such more often than not we were asked by the venue owners if we could do a second half of more general rock which always went down well.

 

In my opinion, to be a tribute act you should look and sound like the original act. Agents and venues will charge a premium for tributes so for that money I expect some effort to have been made and to see a show. 

[Boodang]

When I play in the covers bands we all make an effort to get the tones right, that’s where multi effects comes in handy for the guitarists, and if I’m on drums I make the effort to try and match those when I’m on the ekit. As for playing style, well that depends on what we’re going for but then we’re a covers not tribute. 
I’ve never been in a tribute… until now, sort of. I came across a guitarist who looks a bit like Hendrix, sings like Hendrix and more importantly, plays like him. We’re thinking of calling it the Jimi Hendrix Experience Experience! Anyway, it pretty much plays itself without much attention to detail as we’re well versed in what we’re playing (although I’m going through the Mitch Mitchell tutorials on Drumeo and attention to detail on the drums is going to make me a much better player when I nail it cold). 
However, I think with a tribute band I’d expect more detail than we’d put in on the covers, and we put quite a lot into that. 

[TimR]

2 hours ago, BigRedX said:

It is my experience that some musicians just don't get the concept of band image. We used to have the same problem with stand-in drummers and guitarists for The Terrortones. While we didn't expect them to get leathered up, although it would be great if they did, the guidelines were "wear black - no obvious band or brand logos and no trainers for the guitarists". You'd be amazed at how many couldn't (or didn't want to) follow a simple instruction like that. Whenever I have played with new musicians I always ask about band image before the first gig and if there is one will conform to it.

 

Yep. Had a guitarist who would wear very old white trainers with his black trousers and a formal shirt at function gigs. 

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

For me , if you're playing in a tribute band then you should look visually as near as possible to the artist(s) you're covering.

It wouldn't work in an Elvis tribute if you didn't look like him or made the effort to. 
 

Must admit , I'm surprised that there's a joy division tribute band . They didn't  seem to be around for long , and I do wonder how they'd fare against other tribute bands on a Friday / Saturday night at the dog and duck . Not exactly something sozzled punters to sing along to imho. 
 

I know that you are very talented @BigRedX , but unfortunately your talented ear in this occasion is similar to the beard twitchers who spot the mistakes , which others wouldn't notice much in the scheme of things . 
Fwiw, ( and no offence meant obviously ) , the clips I've seen on mainstream tv over the years of joy division live have been about 3 tracks of them playing raw and looking miserable .  Repeat . I'm  obviously missing something here . 😬

 

one of the best cover bands I saw , was a tribute to the '80s . I can't remember their name unfirtunatelly , but they had quite a following . They looked like New Romantics , but played a cross section from that era, covered all basses . 
They made the effort , which counts . 

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

I went to see an evening of 'nu metal' tribute acts a while back. I had a similarly jarring experience. They were cover bands with a nod towards the original artists e.g. the Korn tribute singer wore a kilt, but sounded only vaguely like Jonathan Davis.  This was repeated in every band, who all shared multiple members! It was all rather disheartening. 

To m a tribute band looks and sounds the part. 

[borntohang]

45 minutes ago, TimR said:

 

Yep. Had a guitarist who would wear very old white trainers with his black trousers and a formal shirt at function gigs. 

I had a keyboardist who insisted on wearing bright orange chunky trainers with his formal trousers. Luckily we weren't at function gigs and trended towards the bohemian look anyway, but it did spoil the mood a bit. We started stacking him further and further behind the horn section until eventually he was playing in the wings, but I don't think he even noticed as long as he got enough solo airtime.

[chris_b]

A few years ago we were looking for a singer for our blues/R&B/Soul band and a singer turned up from a Rolling Stones tribute band. He looked like Jagger, sounded like Jagger and moved like Jagger. He wanted a change but couldn't not be Mick Jagger. We said no. He was a good singer but he would have turned us into the Rolling Stones!!

[peteb]

I've played in a couple of tribute bands in the last few years, and for me, the thing is to get the spirit of the band down. The music must be pretty accurate, above all else. If you’re going to do Elvis, or Kiss or someone where the visuals are such a major part of the act, then you have to dress up – but get it right or don’t bother. 

 

I was in a Magnum tribute of all things for a while, which was a bit niche but a great band with a couple of the guys having a connection to the main act (i.e. they had been in the Magnum singer’s solo band or recorded with him). My approach there was to play like I would if I had been asked to play live with Magnum. There was no attempt at all to look the part! 

 

I now find myself in a Led Zep tribute. When I originally started playing for them two and a half years ago, the band had some great players, but they also had a reasonably good singer who wore a wig and kinda dressed like a Primark version of Robert Plant but looked absolutely nothing like him. He was obsessed with trying to get the details right, and (for example) we never had me and the keys player onstage at the same time. This was sometimes to the detriment of the overall sound. 

 

He has since been replaced with a guy who looks the part more, in that he’s thinner and has long curly hair (even if it’s the wrong colour). More to the point, he’s a more experienced frontman, as well as being a better singer (genuinely sounds like Plant). We also have an extremely good new keys player. The first thing the singer insisted on was playing as a five piece on the songs with keys, making everything look and sound like a proper rock show and not getting hung up on minor details. I still keep trying to impress on the drummer that while we have to capture the essence of the band, we must be what people want a Zep tribute to sound like, even if it is a bit different to what LZ actually were fifty years ago.

 

It is a very good band now, plays all over the country and generally makes money and does well. However, it is more of a tribute to the music of LZ – if you want to see someone dressing up and trying to look like their idols from half a century ago, then it’s probably not for you!  

 

Edited May 20 by peteb

[peteb]

53 minutes ago, chris_b said:

A few years ago we were looking for a singer for our blues/R&B/Soul band and a singer turned up from a Rolling Stones tribute band. He looked like Jagger, sounded like Jagger and moved like Jagger. He wanted a change but couldn't not be Mick Jagger. We said no. He was a good singer but he would have turned us into the Rolling Stones!!

 

I've got a mate like that. He's got Jagger down to the bone, but seems out of place in anything but a Stones tribute act...! 

 

Edited May 20 by peteb

[mep]

As others have said, if you are tribute band then go the extra Mile as most people, particularly fans such as the OP will appreciate it.

Years ago I was In a Stereophonics tribute. Luckily our 'Kelly' was Welsh so sounded authentic between songs. He was a Strat guy but bought a Gibson SG specifically. I left my pointy Charvel at home and bought a P bass. I researched plenty of photos of Richard Jones and in the end got a long sleeve T shirt with a dragon printed that closely matched one of his. We played the songs as the recordings and even had backing / click tracks for some keyboards and extra bits of guitar.

As musicians we will be more critical of bands than your average punter, I know I am!