I was perusing one of the online metal groups I’m an administrator for and found myself in a discussion about tribute bands. Personally, my take on tribute bands has never been all that great. Having played in a series of ‘cover bands’ back in my youth, I see tributes as cover bands with make-up. It’s fine if you’re a starving college student and you can’t afford $100 (or whatever you favorite band is charging for tickets) to pay $5 to see a KISS knock-off (or whatever your favorite band is). Beyond that, it’s background noise for a party. Or, is it? I began to review my statement and look at some of my favorite bands.
Metallica (who will forever take a mountain of crap for a) cutting their hair, b) producing LOAD, RELOAD, LULU and ST. ANGER and c) not quitting when Cliff died) has done quite a few fantastic cover versions over the years. GARAGE DAYS REVISITED became GARAGE DAYS RE-REVISITED and then became GARAGE, INC. They made a ton of cash off these albums and produced some of the best stuff they did, outside of the first three albums.Where they tribute band or a cover band? Does it matter if it’s Metallica? Are they relevant enough to matter?
Megadeth has long history of covering classic songs. “These boots are made for walking”, “I ain’t superstitious”, “Anarchy in the UK”, “No more Mr. Nice Guy” and on and on have helped round out Megadeth albums. I have yet to hear them do one of these songs live, but they are very well done on the albums. It’s true Megadeth isn’t a tribute band…isn’t it? I needed to investigate further.
Motorhead had a UK hit with their cover of “Louie, Louie” back in the day. They also invited Wendy O. Williams to sing on their version of the country standard,”Stand by your man.” Over the years, Lemmy and the boys have covered the Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Metallica (which is funny, considering the impact Motorhead had on a young Metallica). Surely we would never call the mighty Motorhead a cover band, but they have paid their fair share of tribute over the decades.
As I perused my library, I found almost all of my favorite bands had included some cover songs. Even Rush, known for walking their own path, had their FEEDBACK album, loaded with well done covers.I had to re-evaluate my opinion.
Including the occasional cover doesn’t make a band a cover band or a tribute band, but there’s no denying the tribute being paid. It doesn’t keep music stagnant. Granted, you’re not going to break new ground repeating the work of someone else, but I have yet to hear a band do a note for note rendition of someone else’s songs. Motorhead took a lazy, whiny country song and turned it into a weapon. Anthrax took a KISS classic and made it fresh and new. Metallica turned a tired Bob Seger song and made it solid gold (I still don’t care for it, but they made a ton of money on it). These bands did more than just find a way to fill out an album or a set list. They showed thanks to their influences and showed us, the listening fans, how their influences brought them to where they are today.
Without punk rock, Motorhead and Megadeth may not have the snarl they exhibit. Without Motorhead and the other NWOBHM bands, there would certainly be no Metallica, at least as we know it. It rolls on. Slayer, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath are continuing to influence new bands. Read interviews by newer artists and you see the tributes and accolades flowing.
I see the difference between a tribute band and a cover band now. It’s the difference between trying to pay the bills and suffering for your passion. I’m not necessarily going to run out to support tribute bands in my area, but my hat’s off to them. They’re doing more than just trying to make a few bucks. They’re trying to impress their love of a band on to other listeners. That deserves my respect.
Before I close I want to give a shout out to my readers and say thank you for giving my blog a whirl. I’m amazed to see it’s not just my close friends and family checking it out, but readers in Chile, Norway, UK, Ireland, France, Sweden, UAE, Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, Mexico, Canada and Japan. I guess I proved my high school guidance counselors wrong. Thank you all very much!
Keep it loud, horns up and have fun!
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