Best tribute bands?

Starting this thread because of a debate I just got dragged into over on RL. Apparently, that's about the only place left where people actually talk anymore, besides these forums. 😕

So, what’s the deal with tribute bands? Do you guys actually go see them? And by that, I mean bands that spend their whole lives playing the hits of groups you already love.
If you do, what's the vibe? Like, in general, is it a good time or just... meh?
If you don't, why not? Do you look at those musicians as posers, or just people trying too hard?

Anyone here actually playing in one?
I'm also curious about what drives someone to start a tribute act instead of just grinding to get their own original sound off the ground.

And finally, if you've stumbled upon a tribute band that actually knows what they're doing, drop a recommendation here.

🙂

redmarlin3 said:So, what’s the verdict—do you guys actually enjoy going to tribute bands? [And I’m talking about those bands that cover the actual groups you listen to, obviously].

Yeah, totally. If they kill it, it's a blast. 😁 And if they're absolute garbage? Well, then we all just sit there together, collectively groaning at how bad they are, which honestly makes for a pretty good time too. 😁

Also, if you've caught a killer tribute act lately, drop some recommendations here.

Honestly, most of the stuff coming out of the professional tribute circuit is pretty solid. 👍

I was especially blown away by that DT tribute band; I mean, their catalog isn't exactly easy to pull off, but these guys didn't just manage to play it—they absolutely nailed it. 🙏

I wouldn't call them posers, either. 🤷 These guys play the songs they love, the crowd gets to have a great night, and the musicians get a chance to show what they can do... it's a win-win-win for everyone involved. 🤷 🙂

Heads up, this link looks like it's crawling with viruses 😲

redmarlin3 said:Hey, I think that link you posted is actually carrying some kind of virus 😲

Wait, what? 😲 😁

I finally made it out to see this Bob Marley tribute band the other day, and honestly, I had such an absolute blast! 🙏

I went to... a The Cure tribute show. That’s all there is to it. Honestly, I probably only went because I don't really listen to any of those bands that always seem to be targets for tribute acts. Part of it is just that I hit up a few original band shows every single week. When you spend that much time listening to the "real deal," tribute gigs just feel ridiculous. Besides, I'd much rather drop my time and money on actual original artists.

As much as these "tribute" guys and girls try to perfectly mimic their idols—to an almost absurd degree—they end up being nothing more than glorified CDs, or better yet, black-and-white photocopies. I'm not saying these events can't be fun; I'm sure a handful of people on this forum had a blast at that Iron Maiden tribute back in June. In fact, sometimes seeing a tribute band made up of young, high-energy kids is a way better experience than watching some "original" old geezers stumble through a set. It's also just as fun to jump around or vacuum the house while blasting a favorite CD.

Listening to famous songs surrounded by good vibes and maybe a beer or two is hard to call boring, but it will never match a "real" concert experience. The truth is, a tribute show will never come close to that synergistic feeling you get at a great concert where everything just clicks—whether you know every lyric by heart or it's your first time hearing the songs, whether they came out two months ago or twenty years ago.

So, if my memory serves me right—and it's a bit fuzzy these days—I actually paid my way into seeing both The Beatles revival acts and those tribute bands for The Cure. I genuinely enjoyed both shows, truly. Though, I think I leaned a bit more toward The Beatles revival... mainly because they didn't seem obsessed with perfectly mimicking every single breath or sigh of their idols. They actually seemed to have a bit of their own personality, which is rare, I guess. But then again, that was a long time ago, so maybe I'm just misremembering how it all went down.

Kyle Jackson54 said:If memory serves, I’ve shelled out for both Beatles and The Cure tribute shows before. Both were actually pretty decent. I actually enjoyed The Beatles revival more because they didn't just try to mimic every single breath the originals took; they actually seemed to have their own vibe. But that was ages ago, so maybe my memory is playing tricks on me.

Then you'll end up disappointed by that Beatles tribute coming through in May. 🤣

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROhSoEcHTfg

Here’s my take on why this compilation is going to be absolutely legendary!🙂
But honestly, you guys are going to have to hang in there for another year or two.
Just until Max finally gets his act together!🙂

Tribute bands are just as much of a disaster as movie remakes.

I’ve never been much of a fan when it comes to tribute bands... I don't know, there's just something about them that feels fundamentally off to me, if that makes any sense.
Maybe I'll have a change of heart down the road, but for the time being, 👎

The Beatles meet Metallica!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ2BRC9mOU4

Robin Rodriguez5 said:Then you'll just be disappointed by that Beatles tribute band playing this May. 🤣

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROhSoEcHTfg

And where are they actually playing?

I’ve already voiced my absolute disdain for the whole "copy-paste band" concept on several occasions—most recently during that heated debate over R.E.M. where things got a little tense—so I think it’s best if I don't just repeat myself here. 😬

tribute acts... bringing them back to life 🙂

I guess I’d rather listen to Firehouse and Ramirez than any of those tribute bands—they just aren't it.

gentlepuma20 said:I’d take Firehouse or Ramirez over any of those tribute bands any day. Absolute garbage.

Honestly, I think the only thing lower than Ramirez on the scale of suck is the bottom of the ocean...

The Velvet Underground:

A Ramirez tribute band😈

Maybe you and I should just start one ourselves. I’ll be the one screaming "DON'T EAT THE HAIR" at the front of the stage...🙂

redmarlin3 said:I'd probably just scream, "DON'T EAT THE HAIR." 🙂

Death Disco already pulled that move. 🙂

Death Disco is actually a tribute band for Ramirez 😕

redmarlin3 said:Death Disco is just a Ramirez tribute band 😕

Not really—though I guess they did have that one track, "don't eat yourself," which was inspired by that Ramirez hit.