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I've never seen a tribute act. Not really my thing but plenty of people love them. Their favourite songs to sing along to but instead of being at Wembley Stadium, they're down the local, at the fete, the cruise or at the wedding...
Saw an advert for this bloke playing at a local pub today, billed as the UK's premiere Freddie Mercury tribute act so thought I'd check him out on YouTube.
Erm.... 🤔 Think I'll stay in. 😂
Respect to people who have the minerals to do this though. 🙌
So yeah, give us your best or worst tribute act you've seen. Video is good.
Anyone play in one/is one?
Not a video but an observation. At one of my uni balls they had a Gary Glitter tribute act performing. I expect his work has dried up now.
I want to know why a Pink Floyd covers band costs more to see than a Dumpy's Rusty Nuts covers band.
They are both doing the same amount of work.
I recall a nude spice girls tribute act back in the 90s. They were even worse than the real deal but I guess their main selling point was the nakedness.
I'm in a 'multi genre' tribute to an era rather than a tribute to one specific act. It's called California Dreamers. Great fun to.do and some really challenging stuff to play. In general, tribute gigs are pretty well paid compared with general pub covers band gigs. In the very best ones, the musicians are absolutely first class. It wasn't my primary aim when learning guitar I guess to do this sort of thing, but it pays the bills and in my particular one I really enjoy the playing/music.
Without wanting to sound like a knob, someone singing down the dog and duck to backing tracks and calling themselves a tribute is a different thing entirely.
That Pub Band on the Strongbow advert, they’re awesome.
Lizzy and the banshees are quite good.
About 7/10 for the look but 9/10 for sound.
Being GnR fan I went to see these about 10 or so years ago. This is not their best performance, or maybe the beers I had enhanced it a little, but I moshed the night away on this one and nearly passed out in the process such was the band/ crowd energy. Awesome band and perhaps not so obvious here, but perhaps the best Axl impression I'd ever seen:
My favourite name: Oasisn't.
When I lived in Hastings I used to see a band called Slack Sabbath.
Their lead singer was called Ozzy Eastbourne.
A term I now use to describe any aging rocker.
My favourite name:
and that's the thing - whether you can play or not and tribute act is nothing without a good pun name.
Round these parts 'Pete Loaf - He's a real dead ringer'
Ozzy Was Born
Reccomendation from an old man. Talon if you are an Eagles fan, their version of Hotel California is classic.If you like Billy Joel then try Elio Pace.
I've seen the ukfoofighters 3 times at small venues and they've been great. So much so that we're seeing them again in November.
Letz zep probably the best tribute act I've seen.
The Clone roses are good if you're an indie kid after a drunken throwback night.
Some old friends used to be a Hendrix cover band called The Electric Ladyboys. They were really good!
Favourite tribute name.... Fakin' Stevens.
My mate sent me this link to a Twitter feed about a Legends act in Ayia napa a few weeks ago, probably as good a place as any to post it,
https://twitter.com/SoozUK/status/1134040002483163136?s=08
We could always start our own band I guess.
Anyone for Slip Knit ?
I did see both Bjorn Again and Dred Zeppelin when I first moved south. The latter were amazing. Then there was the bestival that the beastie boys headlined. After they had finished playing I was extremely “refreshed” & randomly stumbled into a tent where Fake Bush! was just like the real thing, but better to my messed up ,tiny mind. Still one of my favourite nights ever that one !!
👍😏😃
Bjorn again are great fun, especially when 'Benny' and 'Bjorn' get to do some covers when the ladies are off for one of their costume changes. I think they're australian but the bants in fake swedish accents and their cover of 'Teen Spirit' in a vaguely ABBA style.
'The King' - an Irish postman was great fun, doing Elvis style covers of songs that Elvis didn't get to hear - I saw him a couple of times and had great fun and then he just disappered.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown_(Elvis_impersonator)
Best for me was the Australian Doors; I love the Doors and clearly was never going to see them, but these guys had studied the concert footage and put on a pretty good approximation (and I was very 'refreshed' as well.
But for true genius, any Frank Sidebottom tribute
Uk foo fighters are class, seen them in 3 countries now. Lead singer likes his mtb too.
I absolutely abhor tribute bands. I understand people going to see them for “fun” but I’d rather not, music isn’t like that for me.
That said, I’ve witnessed some.. at the big bike bash there was a Nirvana insult band (i made that up, you know). Like, they played all the right chords and that, but the singer obviously heard something very different from Kurt Cobain to me cos he just shouted the whole time. Bloody awful.
Best? er, ain’t gonna happen.
Never been interested in tribute acts, many of them I’ve seen the original band, those I haven’t, like the Oasis, AC/DC, G’n’R, ones, etc I’m not interested in anyway, but my g/f was really keen to see a Kate Bush tribute act, so we went along. It was a very enjoyable gig, the band were very good, the singer, whose name I forget, not only looked like Kate, but her voice was a close match.
Having actually seen Kate five years ago, I can say the tribute was worth seeing, certainly for the majority of those who haven’t seen Kate live, there were two of us at that gig who had, and we were quite impressed.
Blimey! A mention of Dumpys Rusty Nuts up there.
Used to love seeing them back in the day.
Didn't know they were famous enough to have a tribute act!
A while back a friends wife booked a load of us on to see a Robbie Williams tribute act as she was obsessed with him and take that. She booked a table at the front for the best view and everything. And it was a tribute act ffs!
The Complete Stone Roses are excellent , the singer actually sounds better than Ian Brown which wouldnt be hard. From the Jam are also briliant but have one third of the Jam in them so maye cheating. Still to see Combat Rock who do a decent Clash act.
DezB
Subscriber
I absolutely abhor tribute bands. I understand people going to see them for “fun” but I’d rather not, music isn’t like that for me.
Well, what a surprise.
My mate was the bassist for a very well known Quo tribute band for a while, but left because they wouldn't put his face on the posters. They said he was too ugly. To be fair, they were right. 🙂
If you like tribute acts (and who doesn't, after all they play the stuff you want to hear rather than "this is something new we're trying"?) then I can recommend Glastobudget in Leicestershire.
Best acts I've seen there? Either Jilted Generation (Prodigy) or Four Fighters (take a wild guess...).
Worst? Either Antarctic Monkeys or Lisa Gaga.
Half Arsed Half Biscuit get good reviews.
They're on at Deptford Abyss later this year and I believe they're always welcome in Stroud.
All bands end up as their own tribute act sooner or later.
Rolling Stones anyone?
Well, what a surprise.
Well what a surprise response.
I’ve seen:
No Way Sis - terrible that night.
Bootleg Beatles - fantastic.
Complete Stone Roses - great.
I cut them a lot of slack, the worst I saw was a Happy Monday’s act when a sweaty man mumbled their lyrics into the mic like a man too drunk to see the screen at karaoke, worse still it was the actual Happy Mondays
Went to a Sex Pistols tribute band gig , called The Sex Pistols Experience . They were absolutely brilliant , Sid & Rotten were spot on .
In my opinion a good tribute band could be better than the real thing. My favourite band in the 70’s were The Damned, went to see them in ’79 but from 1980 they turned shit imo, they went away from punk and turned goth which I hated. Now a days I wouldn’t go to see them even though they play their old punk stuff too, but to me they play it nothing like the way it should be played. So for me I think ‘good' Tribute Bands do still have a place in keeping the traditional style going.
What with Noel becoming everything he hated Liam is making a career as an excellent oasis tribute band.
The Australian Pink Floyd Show. As good, if not better, than the real thing 😉
OP - for Queen stuff, check out Bulsara and His Queenies. Again, very good.
Son #1 treated me to Australian Pink Floyd in Cardiff recently. I had a word with myself about it only being a tribute act- it was piggin' great. it was an all seated gig so I was trapped between my son and his mate, both of whom are sound techs- if you think that cyclists are geeks you need to meet this bunch.
Anyway, the highlight of the night was the laser show- reflected from the bald heads of the blokes sat in front of me. I'm 56 and don't want to be.
DezB
Well what a surprise response.
🙂
A good point, well made.
But you can't expect to keep making objective comments about something as subjective as other people's musical taste without being pulled up on it.
No matter how important you think it is.
Peace, out.
-
I can't vouch for the gig but I was working at Falkirk Town Hall when The Compleat Stone Roses played. The after party was legendary and the band +guests drank the bar dry
, the worst I saw was a Happy Monday’s act when a sweaty man mumbled their lyrics into the mic like a man too drunk to see the screen at karaoke, worse still it was the actual Happy Mondays
I see Elton John in a similar way. These days he appears like a terrible club singer version of himself. Dreadful.
In my opinion a good tribute band could be better than the real thing. My favourite band in the 70’s were The Damned,
Bryn Merrick who played bass with the Damned in the 80's did the same with the Ramones tribute band The Shamones. They were great, I saw his last gig before his untimely death in 2015. Chatting with him his take on tribute bands was all about respecting the original artist and bringing their music to people who might never have had a chance to see the original act.
Anybody who completely discards the whole genre is nothing more than an insufferable music snob. We all know a few of those especially on here 🙄🙄.
the worst I saw was a Happy Monday’s act when a sweaty man mumbled their lyrics into the mic like a man too drunk to see the screen at karaoke, worse still it was the actual Happy Mondays
Sounds like The Pogues gig I was unfortunate enough to attend a few years back.
My favourite name: Oasisn’t.
Similarly I thought the name Oasish was inspired!
Not so much a tribute act as a covers band, but seeing The Barnstormers with Doogie White at the helm was always a special treat. I've seen a fair few 'proper bands' over the years, but the Barnstormers gigs at The Horn Reborn in St Albans are probably equal favourite with the best of them.
The Hamsters outdoing both Hendrix and ZZ Top was always a wonderful night out.
Not enough accompanying video example in this. 🚏
Oasish
Oasisn't
Black Metallica
Nirvana UK - Not so sure about the guitarists non-grunge-like twiddly additions 🤔
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac are very good, I'd recommend them.
I saw the Aussie Pink Floyd a few years ago. They were absolutely brilliant.
One of my mates was in Aussie Pink Floyd on sax for a fair few years, as you say, brilliant.
Nirvana UK....drummer is a very naughty boy.
Another vote for Aussie Pink Floyd - very, very good. However I still would give a testicle or two to see the real Pink Floyd live.
Aussie Pink Floyd.
G2Genesis. Seconds Out era Genesis. Unfortunately the singer died a last year, not seen them with the replacement, but very good, not a looky-likey band, just the musicianship.
Letz Zep. They used to be very, very good. The last time I saw them it was only the singer left from the line up that I thought were very, very good. They aren't a patch on what they were.
Planning on seeing Elvana in the near future
Saw Brit Floyd a couple fo years ago, were really pretty good.
The saw Roger Waters in a big venue last year, that was really amazing.
Agree on wish to see full Pink Floyd play together, the amazing bunch of geniuses that they are!
But you can’t expect to keep making objective comments about something as subjective as other people’s musical taste without being pulled up on it.
I'd like to know where I've done that. Just give an opinion, like everyone else. Like the OP - but you don't (tediously as ****) pick him up on it. Not sure how else to get involved in threads that ask for an opinion. Maybe someone as wise as you can help with that.
On the name front, "By Jovi" is one that makes me smile.
Bjorn Again were pretty decent when I saw them. I do remember a Take That tribute act playing at a Students Union do when I was at Sheffield (in about 1997). They were absolutely dreadful, and the audience let them know as much.
Dez, perhaps if I stop reading your posts about music, that'd help.
Constantly reading, on every single music thread about how other people's taste in music is 'shit' and irrelevant gets a bit wearing after a while.
We'll just have to agree to differ.
I think I've just been here too long, read and responded too the same old thing, time after time.
I don't come here half as much as I used to, which is probably for the best.
Take care fella.
a Take That tribute act playing at a Students Union do when I was at Sheffield (in about 1997). They were absolutely dreadful, and the audience let them know as much.
Considering the originals are ****ing terrible, a tribute was never going to end well.
Constantly reading, on every single music thread about how other people’s taste in music is ‘shit’ and irrelevant gets a bit wearing after a while.
Yet no examples.
oasish, I mean there's no way on earth I'm going to listen to this stuff, but the name's so brilliant I can't imagine they're not good. Better than high flying bloody birds anyway as tribute acts go.
The time is right to start a Huey Lewis tribute band.
#fakenews
You know what Dez, life's too short and I really, genuinely can't be arsed arguing with you anymore.
Please take that any way you like.
Get a room you two...
+1 for The Sex Pistols Experience.
Singer is a spitting image, as is ‘Sid’
Oasis
I’d put David Gilmore as a tribute act these days. The Gdańsk and Pompeii DVDs are excellent but I’m certain much of the audience is there for the Floyd stuff and his non Floyd back catalogue just fits around it.
IMHO obviously.
Livewire - AC/DC alikes. Seen them a couple of times.... they even changed the vocalist halfway through!
They did a a double-header with (I think) the ZZ Tops, and they didn't do too badly either.
As an aside, both gigs were at Holmfirth Picturedrome. What struck me most about both were the sheer number of bald fifty-something guys in the audience, all dressed in black tees and jeans. Made me feel very much at home!
The worst? Well, Think Floyd. Granted they played a lot of Floyd reasonably well, but it was shortly after Syd's death and they told us they'd written their own song to mark his passing. It was seriously dire... an unimaginitive three chord wonder that sounded like it was composed in a teenager's bedroom. Which just goes to show ...... great music can be really easy to imitate, but it takes true genius to make something as simple as a pentatonic blues scale sound as brilliant as Gilmour does
Eddiebaby - when I was working for the BBC I invited The Hamsters in to record a session in ou sound studio. I still have a copy of the songs they recorded, including an epic “New Delhi Freight Train.
The worst? Well, Think Floyd
I don't know. They seem to capture the prolonged, boring ten minute intros of Pink Floyd rather well I thought. 😉
The Musical Box....
Peter Gabriel era Genesis tribute band from Canada.. seriously good musicians using period instruments.Class act.
I have seen Limehouse Lizzy a few times and they never fail to entertain. The fact the singer looks like Phil Lynott has been pumping iron since his death and is from Bolton is beside the point!
saw them in the Continental in Preston which was brilliant. A small intimate venue, was very amusing when they went off prior to the encore and the band were huddled together behind a curtain as if they were playing hide n seek.
I love this line from When the Evening Sun Goes Down (Half Man Half Biscuit):-
“I’m off to see the Bootleg Beatles,
As the Bootleg Mark Chapman”.