tribute band?

[Ethan]

I've recently been contacted by some friends to play in a tribute band they are starting. normally i wouldn't want to do this sort of thing but the idea of playing guitar regularly and making some extra dough is pretty nice, plus i respect the dudes a lot as musicians and figure that playing with them might help step my game up a little bit. anyone have any pointers on this sort of thing?

[santellavision]

A friend of mine is in one of the biggest U2 tribute bands (Actually he owns/plays in two U2 bands that play a ton of gigs on the east coast for corporate and concerts.)

He plays his Hamer Mahogany Standard all the time. (Modded with a Line 6 unit in it)

http://www.notu2.com/Homepage.htm

[Brooks]

ethan, what band are you doing a tribute of?

i played in a skynyrd tribute about 15 years ago.

not a huge fan, it was supposed to be a full time pro gig

(it was put together by some of the guys from the last lineup of sidewinder,

who were a touring cover band that once featured audley freed).

but, we were always losing/auditioning/rehearsing members,

so it fell apart after a year or two and a handful of gigs.

currently the rush tribute i'm working on has stalled out;

the drummer flaked, and the bassist/keys/vocalist is having health problems

(he's blind from diabetes, now his kidneys are giving out).

i knew going in it only had a 50% chance of flying,

but i'm a fan so i enjoyed playing rush stuff again and working up a few tunes i didn't know.

maybe we can get it rolling later, i dunno.

my only advice is learn the stuff as "note per note" as you can.

its hard work, but try to have fun.

i would love to do either a sabbath, lizzy, or motorhead tribute.

or even a disco tribute w/ pimp costumes (that would be fun and make big bucks).

[Monacosis]

i don't have any experience in tribute bands - but would dig doing a King Crimson tribute.

now that would get the gigs rollin in, wouldn't it?

mike

[moparmagic]

ive just joined a band. no one knows what we should play so im trying to morf it into a judas priest tribute(singer has a high voice)

[Willie G. Moseley]

The present members of Kiss are in a tribute band.

[bamboohead]

If someone wanted me in a tribute band that payed me money to play songs by that band my answer would be........HEEEEll yes!!! Any offers?

[Ethan]

brooks-it's gonna be a coldplay tribute. not my favorite band but i don't really think they're bad, the dudes starting the band love them and i can tell they'll put 110% into it. i think it has the potential to be really cool, and i'm having a hard time finding anything playing out regularly around here. i figure at best it'll end up being a really cool way to do that and make some money at something that potentially people will dig, at worst it's something to keep me playing til i find something else touring. thanks for the advice all!

[specialk]

He plays his Hamer Mahogany Standard all the time. (Modded with a Line 6 unit in it)

http://www.notu2.com/Homepage.htm

GREAT shot, Ernie!

[HamerHokie]

I've recently been contacted by some friends to play in a tribute band they are starting. normally i wouldn't want to do this sort of thing but the idea of playing guitar regularly and making some extra dough is pretty nice, plus i respect the dudes a lot as musicians and figure that playing with them might help step my game up a little bit. anyone have any pointers on this sort of thing?

Do you have to resemble an original band member? Most good trib bands at least make the attempt to resemble the original.

[HoboMan]

I was in an AC/DC tribute band back in the 80s. I played the part of Angus.

As previously mentioned, it helps to look the part.

Learn the songs note for note. Don't take any creative freedom.

Use the same gear if it was a significant part of the original bands look. I used an SG and would not have considered using anything else. In fact, I used an original 68 SG.

Do it right and you'll make some good extra cash (as long as the original band was popular).

[Jason01]

I'm a lefty and I'm white so about all I can do is cut the tips of my fingers off and join a sabbath tribute band.

[velorush]

or even a disco tribute w/ pimp costumes (that would be fun and make big bucks).

^ this - any time any where with anybody.

JB to AWB, Chuck Brown to Morris Day.

Alas, here in the vast rural outback there are neither interested musicians nor a single gig to be had.

[santellavision]

GREAT shot, Ernie!

It's a great shot, but, I didn't take it - haha.

[burningyen]

I play in a Pink Floyd tribute. Lucky for me, studying Floyd has been a great educational experience. I learn something new every time I hear each one of their songs. I'm not sure if Coldplay will offer the same kind of challenge, but playing with musicians you respect is huge and might be enough to make the experience worthwhile. Plus, it's always nice to play to appreciative audiences.

[zorrow]

A couple of years ago I got offered the spot of Kerry King in a Slayer tribute band, but I declined. I should have accepted, though.

[Brooks]

A couple of years ago I got offered the spot of Kerry King in a Slayer tribute band, but I declined. I should have accepted, though.

ha! you woulda been perfect.

slayer doesn't get much respect because they're sooo over the top

(i can only take a handful of their slower tunes),

but that stuff is waaaay more difficult to play than typical

sabs/priest/maiden/metallica/pantera, its really sick technique-wise.

stuff that challenging is fun to play,

even if its not something you'd listen to in your car.

[Siaip Ciuvas]

our band did Nirvana and Alice in Chains covers some time ago. I kinda liked AIC part, but then we said "screw it", as it was not much money, and we anyway have not enough time to deal with our own music... However if I had time and no band, I would jump over the tribute project of any kind. Just for fun and learning part of it.

[Ethan]

I'm not sure if Coldplay will offer the same kind of challenge...

ha! yeah the stuff isn't too complicated guitar wise, but it's offering the opportunity to work on a lot of other stuff i have been wanting to work on in a band context, like backing vocals and playing auxiliary keyboards and stuff like that. i've learned my songs for the initial practice, so now we'll see how it goes...