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On the Road with a Tribute Band

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

In an age when famous rock groups can charge $100 or more for a concert ticket, their tribute band imitators offer an accessible outlet for hardcore fans. In his aptly-titled book Like A Rolling Stone: The Strange Life of A Tribute Band, New York Times reporter Steven Kurutz chronicles one of the most-established acts, Sticky Fingers. He joins us to talk about the ongoing popularity of bands like Lez Zeppelin, Van Heineken, and Mini Kiss. Also joining us is Kevin Gleason, from the Stony Rollers, a Rolling Stones tribute band; and Lesley Wolf, a bassist with Slayer tribute group Slaywhore.

Weigh in: Do you attend tribute band concerts? Are you in a tribute band? Tell us why you do or don't like them.

Our blog: John Schaefer offers his ambivalent view of the tribute band phenomenon

Guests:

Kevin Gleason, Steven Kurutz and Lesley Wolf

Comments [15]

Maria from NYC

You should check out Girls Girls Girls, the all-girl Motley Crue tribute from NYC, www.myspace.com/girlsgirlsgirlsnyc. They're playing their first anniversary show (GLAMiversary!) at the Knitting Factory tomorrow (May 30). Their shows are a blast.

May. 29 2008 11:21 AM
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& mary (ted shred) from Atlanta

Hilarious comments! One of the all-time greats, Marshall Crenshaw, is my fave fab four veteran, having played John in a stint in Beatlemania.

May. 28 2008 02:38 PM
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Alexis from at work

why girls cover metal bands: in addition to the fun of being against-type, it's because the metal vocals are usually screamed up in a range that's easier for women.

May. 28 2008 02:35 PM
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Peter from Brooklyn

Is there a tribute Altimont Race Track Concert, with tribute Hells Angels killing & beating tribute fans?

May. 28 2008 02:32 PM
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Paul from New Rochelle

Kevin mentioned playing in two different Stones cover bands. I was imagining that there could be a draft for different band positions: New York is looking for a Keith Richards and is willing to trade their Bill Wyman. What about different Stones incarnations? "He does a great Mick Taylor but his Brian Jones is well ...."

May. 28 2008 02:32 PM
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Brandy from brooklyn

Someone beat me to it, but I wanted to mention Mr Brownstone. Saw them on New's Year's Eve and it was just the greatest - perfect combination of humour and dead-on Axelicious vocals!!

May. 28 2008 02:31 PM
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maude from east village

http://www.myspace.com/lezzeppelin

May. 28 2008 02:21 PM
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Michael bloomberg from Lower Manhattan

what about all the three tenors spinoffs? There are lots!

May. 28 2008 02:19 PM
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maude from east village

I LOVE Lez Zeppelin in concert. if you can ignore the creepy frat dudes (which can sometimes be difficult I admit), they put on the best show I have seen in awhile. Besides Peaches.

May. 28 2008 02:17 PM
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Steve

I've seen a few times each:
The Fab Faux the Beatles tribute band; and Dark Star Orchestra, the Dead tribute band.

Both play for large audiences...DSO has its own logo, merch, and CDs for sale.

May. 28 2008 02:17 PM
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Jeffrey Slott from East Elmhurst

The whole idea of tribute bands strikes me as pretty sad. However, I have to admit that the band Sticky Fingers sounds more Stones-like than the so-called real "Rolling Stones"; at least as I remember them from the '60s.

May. 28 2008 02:15 PM
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Rose from nyc

you should check out Tragedy: a heavy metal tribute to the Bee Gees, they're great because you recognize the words and melodies, but it's totally re-imagined in a fun and funny way. But all the music is really tight with great vocals! good times!

http://www.letsmaketragedyhappen.com/

May. 28 2008 02:13 PM
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Chris from New York, NY

Another band that's basically a tribute band at this point are the Beach Boys. I think there are maybe two original members left singing/playing with them.

Leonard, you should ask your guest about some of the great names that these bands use. Lots of smart plays on words and clever uses of song lyrics with some of these bands.

May. 28 2008 02:12 PM
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Harry from NYC

I never got a chance to see the Rush tribute band "Powerwindows". ATheir website has a 2006 date as the last show. I guess the demand has wained.

May. 28 2008 02:03 PM
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Caryn Lombardo from Brooklyn, NY

It's John Schaefer's All-Purpose Assistant again, and yes, as previously outed, I play drums in a Slayer *cover* band - Slaywhore. I probably should mention that ours is a lineup of five women. The thing about being girls is that no one else (with our parts) is attempting to do this particular tribute band/cover band - that we know about. We might possibly have nailed that particular niche.

For me, there is some limited satisfaction in that you're not playing to an empty room and that you might actually make some cash by the end of the night. It's kind of like being a high-end surfboard. Compared to playing in an original band, the satisfaction I feel is pretty hollow; the people are there because they want to hear what they know. Chances are they know the songs backwards and forwards, word for word, note for note, hit for hit, of every shriek, guitar solo, drum fill, - sometimes better than you do! BUT there are great waves as you ride the crowd's surge of appreciation.

May. 28 2008 10:53 AM
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