Byrds, Eagles, The Who, Small Faces, CSN&Y, Pink Floyd

[Neil McCauley]

Following a thoroughly pleasant 41 min conversation this evening with an AoS member where the conversation from time to time veered towards cover bands, I thought I’d put finger to keyboard to evangelize about some of the finer ones I've seen.

My criteria for recommendation is not that they look the part. For me, it’s their ability to recreate live, at fabulous sound pressure levels the original music out of the vinyl grooves. Without exception, after repeated viewings, they’ve all been able to do it.

The Counterfeit Stones. Very funny between songs banter and side-splitting videos but utterly authentic re the music. Vox Teardop and Framus bass - original and not copies!

Who’s Who. Outstanding. Usually a blokes-only gig. Not for sensitive (in any sense of the word) birds. Broken glass under foot occasionally. Ready-for-a-ruck-John atmosphere. Love it! "Dressed right for a beach fight" indeed.

Think Floyd. Very precise accurate renditions and no silly interpretations Little interaction with the audience. Total focus and utter concentration. Brilliant.

Talon. Eagles tribute band par excellence. If you want to hear both versions of Hotel California through a state-of-the-art PA at levels you’d never achieve at home, this is them.

Small Fakers. The finest Small Faces tribute bar none. Their singer even looks like a teenage Marriot! Hammond with a Leslie!

Marrakesh Express. Note perfect and harmony perfect CSN&Y catalogue and better Byrds than when I saw the Byrds live in 1969. Time after time I've stood there in awe as their lead guitarist with 12-string Rick plays the solo from 8 Miles High both faithfully and achingly beautiful.

[Tim]

Thanks for the recommendations Howard and I have been doing some checking, as well as Christine Collister, Talon are playing locally on 3rd Sept (and Dec) as well as Elkie Brooks and The Counterfeit Stones. I will be booking tickets for all tomorrow :)

I shall look out for the others too.

[Alex_UK]

Without wishing to be a party pooper, I have absolutely no interest in tribute bands whatsoever - if I missed the genuine article when they were around originally, then that's my tough luck - I'd rather listen to the original recordings on my stereo and let my imagination fill in the gaps than shell out on going to see a counterfeit version - but maybe that is just me...

[Neil McCauley]

Without wishing to be a party pooper, I have absolutely no interest in tribute bands whatsoever - if I missed the genuine article when they were around originally, then that's my tough luck - I'd rather listen to the original recordings on my stereo and let my imagination fill in the gaps than shell out on going to see a counterfeit version - but maybe that is just me...

Good afternoon Alex.

Yes, I see where you’re coming from. For my part, I’d love to have experienced Mr. JS Bach playing the first public performance of The Goldberg Variations. However despite that disappointment, it wouldn’t have stopped me attending a rare live performance by Mr. Glenn Gould of the same.

It could, in the above instance be concluded that Mr. Gould is in fact a ‘tribute performer’ as a substitute for Mr. JS Bach. Similarly with Vladimir Ashkenazy and the music of Mozart; Itzhak Perlman re Beethoven – and so on.

Arguably all of these are a mere (and possibly inadequate?) substitute for the original. Inconvenient that the originals are all dead of course.

Could it be then that every classical orchestra in the World who include in their repertoire the works of dead composers are by definition merely a ‘tribute band’? These mere imitators though do provide an invaluable service to millions in that without their efforts the World would have no classical recordings at all!

[WAD62]

I do agree with Alex to a certain extent, however if the original is no longer available, and the cover band provide a reasonable representation for one to enjoy then so be it...

From personal experience the best overall cover performance package is the Australian Pink Floyd, I first saw them in a tiny club (the general wolf) back in '95, for about a fiver. They now command a £30 ticket, but they do provide a very passable alternative to the original, lasers lights the whole lot...funnily enough they sound closer to the albums than the original floyd did, I suppose practise makes perfect. Oh and the inflatable pink Kangaroo is quite a nice touch...

On a slightly more clubby note, Fred Zeppelin do a great rendition of the masters' work, but don't look at them too closely, not easy on the eye, time has not been kind to the lead singer. ;)

In fact when is a cover band not a cover band, I've seen both current Wishbone Ashes, Andy Powell's & Martin Turner's, one's better at the guitar work, and one's better at the vocals, but unfortunately they both insist on including some current turgid new stuff...at least you don't get that from a true cover band ;)

[Rare Bird]

Without wishing to be a party pooper, I have absolutely no interest in tribute bands whatsoever


+1

[WAD62]

+1

Come on Andre you wouldn't even go to see the original VDGG on tour, so no wonder you don't like cover bands...what you need is a TARDIS ;)

[Neil McCauley]

Come on Andre ...what you need is a TARDIS ;)

BRILLIANT ! Love it! Respect.

[Barry]

Good afternoon Alex.

Yes, I see where you’re coming from. For my part, I’d love to have experienced Mr. JS Bach playing the first public performance of The Goldberg Variations. However despite that disappointment, it wouldn’t have stopped me attending a rare live performance by Mr. Glenn Gould of the same.

It could, in the above instance be concluded that Mr. Gould is in fact a ‘tribute performer’ as a substitute for Mr. JS Bach. Similarly with Vladimir Ashkenazy and the music of Mozart; Itzhak Perlman re Beethoven – and so on.

Arguably all of these are a mere (and possibly inadequate?) substitute for the original. Inconvenient that the originals are all dead of course.

Could it be then that every classical orchestra in the World who include in their repertoire the works of dead composers are by definition merely a ‘tribute band’? These mere imitators though do provide an invaluable service to millions in that without their efforts the World would have no classical recordings at all!

Interesting point Howard.

What makes classical musicians and ensembles more than just 'tribute' performers, is that the music they play was never recorded. (And before someone points it out, yes some late 19th/early 20th century composers were able to make recordings: Elgar and Gershwin for example.) This means that interpretation of the score is not set in stone, so each performance and recording is different. Unlike the tribute bands you quote, classical musicians are not simply trying to provide a replica facsimile of the composer's sound, because none exists.

It is for that reason why classical music lovers will often have several copies of a piece performed by different soloists and orchestras. I know I have.

Regards

[WAD62]

Oh and one more 'cover' act that are worth the entrance money...The Moderators.

Not really a tribute band, but specialise in all things Mod, The Who, Small Faces, The Jam, Booker T etc.

They are the one Who cover band that can handle Entwhistle and Moon's rhythm work, most can only deal with the vocals and guitar.

One further question, given that Jerry Dammers refuses to tour with the current specials does that make them a cover band? Apart from concrete jungle he wrote all the tracks...however they're still very good entertainment :)

What about the likes of 'Easy Star all Stars', who do very fine dub reggae interpretations of other peoples work, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, the Beatles etc...Or even Sr. Coconut & his orchestras latino reinterpretations of the likes of Kraftwerk? Cover band, trubute band, or original artists?

My view is if it's entertaining, it's worth watching ;)

[Neil McCauley]

Interesting point Howard.

What makes classical musicians and ensembles more than just 'tribute' performers, is that the music they play was never recorded. (And before someone points it out, yes some late 19th/early 20th century composers were able to make recordings: Elgar and Gershwin for example.) This means that interpretation of the score is not set in stone, so each performance and recording is different. Unlike the tribute bands you quote, classical musicians are not simply trying to provide a replica facsimile of the composer's sound, because none exists.

It is for that reason why classical music lovers will often have several copies of a piece performed by different soloists and orchestras. I know I have.

Regards

Thank you. Very well put. I guess that for now that puts the cap on this thread. Probably wasn't too good a thread to start with! Sincerely, Howard.

[WAD62]

Probably wasn't too good a thread to start with! Sincerely, Howard.

I thought it was quite interesting...I might start one on sampling...on second thoughts best not :)

[Alex_UK]

I think Barry has probably made the point I was going to make about classical. I think there is a very big difference between covering someone's material, and trying to create a facsimile of it - the latter being what I don't personally see the excitement in, personally. But if it as Will says entertaining for you then enjoy!

[Neil McCauley]

I think Barry has probably made the point I was going to make about classical. I think there is a very big difference between covering someone's material, and trying to create a facsimile of it - the latter being what I don't personally see the excitement in, personally. But if it as Will says entertaining for you then enjoy!

Thank you for being the catalyst for me broadening my thinking re this. Something I always welcome. Sincerely, Howard.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I've always thought that being in a covers band dedicating yourself to the portrayal of one particular band must be quite frustrating as a creative musician - I mean you can't exactly release the album that your heroes never made. OK you might love their music, but the set list is finite isn't it.
Maybe I've missed the point though & perhaps they just aren't creative musicians.

That being said, I've enjoyed the Australian Doors & the Aussie Pink Floyd, both very good indeed.

[Beechwoods]

I can't believe how much these bands charge. £30 for an Australian Pink Floyd ticket? £30 is a fortune to see a band playing someone else's songs.

[Yoga]

Will keep an eye open for Think Floyd :¬)

Dirty DC are a fantastic AC/DC cover band. So good in fact, with regards to both look, presence and skills (even Angus), that after a few :cool: you think you're watching the real thing :¬)

[Neil McCauley]

Will keep an eye open for Think Floyd :¬)

Dirty DC are a fantastic AC/DC cover band. So good in fact, with regards to both look, presence and skills (even Angus), that after a few :cool: you think you're watching the real thing :¬)

And THAT'S precisely the magic of the entire illusion!