“Tribute bands” (which I think is different than a cover band) seem to be cropping up more and more these days. In Mpls/St. Paul there are a number of these bands that are a blast. I think as long as they “own” the fact of what they are I’m fine with it.
Where I’m drawing the line these days is when a band tours under their original name but with maybe one original band member. Especially if the main artistic voice of the band is no longer included/alive. Gang of Four is a great example. A band under the name Gang of Four is currently touring but without Andy Gill what are we even doing here? Especially with tickets at $40.
I had much the same attitude towards "tribute" bands back in the day, but had a similar experience to yours recently. Living in Saigon, the last thing I thought I'd encounter (besides a life lived in Saigon, I got my draft registration in 1974) was a Smiths cover band.
But there it was, the bassist is a friend (and apartment neighbor), and seeing "Smithscetera" perform, the lead singer (who is burly and nothing like Morrissey) tossing flowers into the crowd didn't feel nearly as ludicrous as I'd expected. In fact, the SONGS are incredible, and my friend Ed's bass playing brought them alive in ways I hadn't expected (Andy Rourke was really quite good!). And that's my point, and I assume, yours: The songs survive. The songs matter. The songs will survive the singer, thus perhaps solving the Stones' old question.
Or is the Berliner Philharmonic a cover band?
The songs survive.
Thanks for the memories, and the insights, as always.
We knee skin!
“Tribute bands” (which I think is different than a cover band) seem to be cropping up more and more these days. In Mpls/St. Paul there are a number of these bands that are a blast. I think as long as they “own” the fact of what they are I’m fine with it.
Where I’m drawing the line these days is when a band tours under their original name but with maybe one original band member. Especially if the main artistic voice of the band is no longer included/alive. Gang of Four is a great example. A band under the name Gang of Four is currently touring but without Andy Gill what are we even doing here? Especially with tickets at $40.
I had much the same attitude towards "tribute" bands back in the day, but had a similar experience to yours recently. Living in Saigon, the last thing I thought I'd encounter (besides a life lived in Saigon, I got my draft registration in 1974) was a Smiths cover band.
But there it was, the bassist is a friend (and apartment neighbor), and seeing "Smithscetera" perform, the lead singer (who is burly and nothing like Morrissey) tossing flowers into the crowd didn't feel nearly as ludicrous as I'd expected. In fact, the SONGS are incredible, and my friend Ed's bass playing brought them alive in ways I hadn't expected (Andy Rourke was really quite good!). And that's my point, and I assume, yours: The songs survive. The songs matter. The songs will survive the singer, thus perhaps solving the Stones' old question.
Or is the Berliner Philharmonic a cover band?
The songs survive.
Thanks for the memories, and the insights, as always.
That’s lovely, Gina.
That was deep. Really ♥️
I need to go listen to Sitting Still now!