Top 10 Fanatical Tribute Bands
What’s the story with tribute bands anyways? Often the musicians playing in tribute bands are amazing musicians in their own right so why are they devoting their energy to copying someone else? Is it the ultimate compliment, a cash grab, or just a lack of original material? Playing in a tribute band takes more dedication than just being in a cover band; in fact, many tribute band members seem to have made the leap from fan over to fanatical.
The really good tribute bands celebrate their love for a specific musical group together with their audiences. They are motivated by love, not just money. They also have that little extra something that sets them apart from the many other tribute acts out there. Here are my top ten tribute bands:
Guidelines I used:
- 100% tribute band (not too many other covers, no original songs)
- Active (if I didn’t see recent activity, I disqualified them)
- Tribute to a band, not a single performer
- Musicianship (must actually sing and play instruments)
- Can not contain any members of the original band
10. Fan Halen (Van Halen)
So that’s what David Lee Roth is doing now… Just kidding! He sure looks like David Lee Roth, if David Lee Roth had a time machine (I bet he is trying to find one so he can go back to the old days. Hopefully Axel Rose finds it first.)
9. Lez Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin)
(“All girls All Zeppelin” www.myspace.com/lezzeppelin) They made the list because they are working their butts off touring like crazy right now and because I listened to their stuff and it’s very good. But most importantly, their name is hee-har-hilarious!
8. Pink Fraud (Pink Floyd)
They focus on Pink Floyd circa 1968-1979. According to their website, the use ‘authentic period clothing and equipment, and [stay] true to the bands arrangements and touring line-ups’ to ‘create the suspension of belief for fans who were there at the time, and offer the original experience to new fans’. (www.pinkfraud.co.uk) They wouldn’t normally make my list just for looking and sounding exactly like Pink Floyd but I’m including them because they’ve been kicking it pink style for over twenty years and also their band name is both funny and painfully honest.
7. BC/DC (AC/DC)
This band hailing from British Columbia (B.C.) Canada insists they are not a tribute band but the real thing and that AC/DC is actually a tribute band of BC/DC’s. Those wacky kids! Also, going by the photo below, the guitar player wears a cow costume on stage. Weird. (www.bcdc.ca)
6. Gabba (ABBA/The Ramones)
They play Abba songs in the style of the Ramones. Or is it the other way around? Hard to tell from their song names: “Surfing Queen”, “The Pinhead Takes it All”, “Hej Ho Disco”. (www.gabba.co.uk)
5. Mini Kiss (Kiss)
At first I wasn’t going to include this one because their wikipedia article said they didn’t play their own instruments but after watching a few videos I’m pretty sure that they are playing them. There is also apparently a rivalry between this band and another Kiss tribute band featuring little people, which makes them even more interesting. (www.minikissonline.com)
4. The West End Girls (Pet Shop Boys)
Two Swedish women covering Pet Shop Boys songs. Very euro-pop, funny, yet catchy (hmmmm, kind of like the band they are emulating?). www.westendgirls.se
3. Beatallica (Beatles/Metallica)
Songs such as “Hey Dude” and “…And Justice for all my loving” how could these guys not be on the list? Just look at them! (www.beatallica.org)
2. The Bootleg Beatles (The Beatles)
In 1982 the Bootleg Beatles became “the first western rock group to ever tour the USSR” (www.bootlegbeatles.com). There are a lot of Beatles tribute bands out there that go to a lot of trouble to look and sound just like the originals; however this is the only one that also made rock’n'roll history! And, in true crazy tribute style, the Bootleg Beatles arrived for their US tour from London exactly 20 years after their favorite group – on Pan Am flight 01A on February 7, 1984. Coincidence? I doubt it.
1. Bjorn Again (Abba)
Began as a tribute band in 1988 and is now, from what I understand, somewhat of a franchise with several versions performing all over the world simultaneously. According to their website www.bjornagain.com, their band is “not labeled a “tribute” or a “copy” but seen as a band in it’s own right”. Well, I’m going to go ahead and still call them a tribute since they perform Abba songs, dress like Abba and have names based on the original Abba members (Björn Volvo-us, Benny Anderwear, Frida Longstokin and Agnetha Falstart). They have earned the number one spot on this list for several reasons: their longevity (20 years and counting!), their arrival at Heathrow Airport dressed in full costume for their UK tour, one of their songs made the UK Charts, and the fact that band Nirvana had them added to the line up for the Reading Festival. Oh, and they have toured with the real versions of Cher and Shania Twain.
Honorable mentions (did not meet criteria)
Hayseed Dixie – ACDC tribute to ACDC songs with a country spin. They also have a lot of their own original material so not qualified.
Iron Maidens – All female tribute to Iron Maiden. Has not played a show since 2007 so disqualified.
Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine – www.richardcheese.com He does a variety of rock covers (not just Rage Against the Machine) but all in a cheesy lounge style. Awesome.)
No Way Sis (Oasis) – Hit UK charts with cover of “I’d like to teach the world to sing” in Oasis style. Signed a 5 album deal with EMI but could not find evidence they still exist.
Apocalyptica and Dread Zeppelin
Sources: Wikipedia and websites included in list, as well as: www.tribute-band.com, www.canadiantributebands.com
Related Top 10 Lists
Okay, I’m a huuuuge Journey fan so I couldn’t let this tribute bands list pass by without a nod to this excellent Journey tribute band. This guy is a dead ringer for Steve Perry in both voice and appearance.
The group I follow is called The Musical Box. They don’t just cover the Peter Gabriel era Genesis, they completely re-enact the concerts given by Genesis, right down to the stage backdrop, the costumes used, and even the jokes and monologue used by Peter Gabriel between songs. They have actually been sanctioned by Genesis and all the members of the original Genesis have joined them on stage or watched them on their European tours and have said they do that era of Genesis better than Genesis did.
They are currently touring Europe re-enacting the Trick of the Tail tour as seen from their URL at:
http://www.themusicalbox.net/
Tanya, I would love to see an all-girls Pixies tribute band. That would so rock! I saw the Pixies open for U2 many years ago.
This is an incredible list. I love Beatallica and Lez Zeppelin, but the rest I had never heard of before today.
Unfortunately my absolute two favorite tribute bands (both Metallica) couldn’t make your list. So I’m sad panda.
Harptallica (website’s now gone)
and my favorite Apocalyptica (done original music & other covers since their Metallica only early days)
“They have actually been sanctioned by Genesis and all the members of the original Genesis have joined them on stage or watched them on their European tours and have said they do that era of Genesis better than Genesis did.”
LMAO.
Apocalyptica should be on my honorable mentions – the drummer in my band told me about them and then I forgot…
Thanks, Tanya! See you on the road, touring for the next record….
jaymz/beatallica
I SAW MINIKISS AND THEY DO PLAY THERE OWN INSTRUMENTS AND I HAVE TO SAY I COULD’NT STOP TO GET A DRINK THEY HAD THE PEOPLE GOING CRAZY THE WHOLE WAY THEY PUT ON AN AWESOME STAGE SHOW….NON-STOP FUN…..BIG FAN
MINIKISS ROCKS
Don’t forget Mike Rhyner’s Petty Theft featuring Mike Rhyner…
I don’t get it … The pet shop boys? Do they actually warrant a tribute band? I can only recall one hit song from the eighties and it sucked… there are so many more better bands to pay tribute too… you failed to mention an ozzy tribute… and abba? maybe they are good but who under 40 actually wants to see them…
here’s my bid… A Motley Crue tribute
This is one of the most narrow-minded comments (as well as completely ignorant) that I have ever come across! Are you serious Sara? 1 hit from the 80s? Know what you are talking about girl. PSB had 4 number 1’s in the 80s not to mention a Christmas number 1 in 1987. The have been together now for 25 years, just won the outstanding achievement to music award, and have had nearly 30 top 20 hits. They have done so much for music from pop through to classical… so much more than your small brain can even comprehend. And who under 40 would want to see them???? LOL you are so funny… I am 33 and love the band… Just seen them for 8th time in London and 1/2 the audience were in their 20s.
Sara – if you want to give me the name of a specific Motley Crue band that meets the guidelines the list is following, I’ll check them out…
O.K. it’s not a “pure” tribute band, but Dread Zeppelin has to get an honorable mention for having an Elvis impersonator doing reggae styled remakes of Led Zeppelin songs. Don’t they?
I’m with you on that one, Brian – Dread Zeppelin should be on there: like the rest of the bands on the honorable mentions list, they don’t meet the guidelines but they are damn funny. They also deserve recognition for their staying power, they’ve been around for a long time! I’ll put a request in with the site to have them and Apocalyptica added. I’m standing firm on the Pet Shop Boys tribute, though- pop bands can be influential, too.
You guys forgot about THE WHO! Check these guys out, they’re called Bargain The Who Tribute band.
http://www.whotribute.com
The guy sounds exactly like Daltrey and their laser show is unbelievable. Best who tribute band I’ve ever seen!
The Original Achtung Baby were formed in 1993 by Luke Pepper and Dean Bush. The band were the second U2 tribute ever formed and quickly went on to over shadow The Dopplegangers, playing hundreds of sell-out shows all over the world. The original members were, Luke Pepper, Dean Bush, Steve Kean and Gary Kean. After the band were established, the band hired Wayne Taylor and made their way through massive European tours, culminating in a performance at Feyenoord Stadium, along side U2 on the ‘Pop’ tour. The band were even led into U2’s changing room by mistake!
In 1998, the seond singer was asked back and the band went onto play shows all over Britain, Ireland and even the middle east. At the start of 2000, the band had split and ’son of’ Achtung Baby were formed, although never attaining the earlier success of the original band.
After eight years, the original band are back, complete with the world’s finest Bono ’soun-a-like’ – B.B.Mitchell and they are ready to take back their position of finest and nearest thing to ‘official U2 tribute’ ever.
Don’t accept pale imitators – The original Achtung Baby are the originals!
B.B.Mitchell – vocals, harmonica, guitar
Luke Pepper – guitars, keyboards, vocals, programming
Steve Kean – Bass, Taurus Moog pedals
Dean Bush – Drums, backing vocals
Hey, Who Fan- I checked out their website and they do look pretty cool. They meet all of my guidelines for the list, too, but they’re missing that extra something necessary to bump anyone off my list of top ten. If their name was funny I might consider it…
I am a Who fan as well, actually a pretty gigantic John Entwistle fan, so I’m glad to know about them, thank you for spreading the word!
What about Dread Zeppelin? They do raggae versions of Led Zeppelin songs, only their lead singer is an Elvis impersonator. Think about it. They sound great! They have at least 2 CD’s out.
Dread Zeppelin is in the ‘Honorable Mentions’ list at the end of the article – they aren’t eligible for the top ten list because they don’t meet the guidelines.
I have seen Kiss Army and they were so much like the real deal, it was scary. I have seen Dread Zepplin also.
Iron Horse does kickass bluegrass covers of Metallica and Ozzy. One word: awesome.
I’m so critical of my cover bands, so many standards. I’ve got to say though, nobody has really caught my attention lately like Tragedy, a Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees. They are absolutely AMAZING. I swoon over their version of “Tragedy” and “How Deep Is Your Love” is just sweet. Check them out, I think they’re more than worthy of a spot on your top ten (though I’m not sure who to knock off..)
http://www.letsmaketragedyhappen.com/
(and of course they are also on Myspace)
@ Beth – I checked out Tragedy and have to admit they are great and they would be on this list, had I known about them when I made it. They meet all of the guidelines and their awesome website and funny merch gives them that extra something. Now that I’ve lived with this list for a while, I think I would have to say that I’d probably put the West End Girls in my honorable mentions or at #11 and then add this band- not sure in what position…
You forgot “Wild Child.” They are an L.A. based Doors cover band. Look and sound like the real thing. Use same instruments, though not the exact same vintage. My wife and I saw them two days before we went to Paris France, where we then visited Morrison’s grave.
There are sooo many good tribute bands out there!!
I know that many have come to the fore front since this list was made. We just seen an incredible “The Cure” tribute band in Hollywood called The Cured. The guy looked and sounded JUST like Robert Smith.
There is a booking agency http://www.musiczirconia.com in California that has some of the best Tribute Bands in the USA today. The name is funny, Music Zirconia Like “Cubic Zirconia”…..Just like the real thing but cheaper!! HA!!
This was a fun list. Dread Zeppelin is awesome, but I understand why they didn’t exactly meet the criteria. Plus, they’ve been off the radar for quite some time. I enjoyed the fact that your tribute bands weren’t all clones and that some of them had twists on the originals. Nicely done. (Plus, I got some good info on tributes to bands that I like!) BTW Are there any decent Kinks cover bands? Do you recall the fictitious Doors cover band Crystal Sh*t who were mentioned in “Bitchin’ Camaro” by The Dead Milkmen. I’d give them an honorable mention on the basis of being an obscure, but funny, reference!
@XUSNLT – I never came across a Kinks tribute band when I was making the list but so many of their song titles would make great band names, if anyone out there wants to start one! How about: The X-Rays (double meaning there), A Rock N Roll Fantasy, Nothing Lasts Forever, Labour of Love, the Hot Potatoes, or the Dedicated Followers of Fashion. Of course there are variations like The Kink-ies (sexy version), The Stinx… and PS I love the Dead Milkmen!
My favorite Motley Crue tribute band is Girls Girls Girls from NYC. They’re all girls (obviously). I’ve seen ‘em a few times and they kick ass. http://www.myspace.com/girlsgirlsgirlsnyc.
There are a ton of Crue tributes. Here’s a link to them all. Carnival of Sin does a pretty good job, but I’ve never seen them live. I’ve seen Theater of Pain too. They’re all right, if a little cheesy.
http://www.myspace.com/motleycruetributebands
Funny you say Iron Maidens were dq’d … I saw them late last year (2008) and they were kicking off a tour…
Sorry, Chasen, when I wrote the list I couldn’t find any evidence that the Iron Maidens were still together – right now their website says they are auditioning for a new frontwoman: http://www.theironmaidens.com/ I’m jealous that you got to see them, they look amazing!
I’ve seen American English three times, and they are FAB!
The live show is amazing. Eric (Paul) learned how to play the bass left-handed just so the experience was more authentic. Tom sounds exactly like Ringo.
See these guys live if you get a chance. While the recordings on their website are good, again, it’s the live shows that put them at the top of my list.
Authentic, dedicated, amazing, like a wonderful time machine that you never want to stop.
http://www.americanenglishbeatles.com
Michael
Keep The Faith is the Quintessential Bon Jovi tribute Band ( it says so on their website) Having been to almost everyone of their shows ( and consider I am not in the band I think that rocks)They put on a show that is as good as Bon Jovi. They sound just like a LIVE Bon Jovi concert and the lead sing looks JUST LIKE JON!!!!. Check them out they needed to be #1 on this list
i used to be in a tribute act
but check these guys out there called green date
are amazing, if ulike that sort of thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA5_BqJweEA
I’m sure most of these bands have fine followings. However, The Musical Box has been recreating early Genesis shows since 1993. Usually 20-25 shows per tour, 2 tours per year, in the US and Europe, selling out 2,000-3,000 seat venues at $30 a pop in the US and Canada and up to 5,000 seat venues in Europe at 30-40 Euros a ticket. I, and many others like me, have traveled hundreds of miles multiple times to see this incredible, note-perfect trip back in time. I saw Lez Zeppelin here in Detroit at a bar for $15 with about 300 other people. They were good. When they start pulling in almost a $100,000 a night in gate receipts like The Musical Box does let me know. You want fanatical, see The Musical Box and count the number of different state (and province) license plates in the parking lot. We’re fanatical, bordering on nuts.
@Magog: Actually, the ‘fanatical’ in the title refers to the band members not the fans. Had I seen the quote that Phil Collins watched The Musical Box perform and then told reporters afterwards that “they played it better than we did” I may have included them on the list (thanks sgtspeed for the info in comment above – quote found on Wikipedia).
This list is not based on how much money the bands earn but on the guidelines listed at the top, plus that extra ’something’ that made the band stand out to me. Like Lez Zeppelin, for example – that name rocks!
Thanks for the info about the Musical Box and here is their website: http://themusicalbox.net/
@Tanya: Then by your standards I must nominate The Musical Box yet again. Their instruments are vintage duplicates. The light show and background curtains are spot-on perfect. They were given use (approved by Genesis) of the 1000+ actual background slides used for the 1974 “Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” tour recreation. Every costume used by Peter Gabriel from 1972-1975 has been painstakingly copied using the actual props as models (again with Peter Gabriel’s permission). Every nuance of the shows are an exact recreation down to the smallest detail. If they are doing the 1973 “Black” show they play only the songs Genesis did in the order Genesis did for that segment of the tour. The same for the 1973 “White” show or the 1974 “Lamb” show. No variation is allowed. Don’t get me started on the music for it is absolutely perfect everytime. I am fortunate to have seen Genesis do these shows 36 years ago, trust me when I say seeing The Musical Box is like walking through a time tunnel and coming out back in 1973 on the other side.
@Magog – You’ve convinced me, they do belong on this list… I spent a lot of time researching tribute bands to make this list so I’m disappointed that I didn’t come across them. Just like Tragedy, the BeeGees metal band (thanks Beth)- should be on the list but discovered after the fact. I said I’d knock out the Westend Girls for Tragedy; who should we vote off for The Musical Box? Fan Halen maybe…
Great list!
I saw these guys play in Australia and though they needed a mention, I’m A massive Gunners Fan and it was like watching the real thing!
I love Slash, I can’t help myself – thanks for the tip! Check out this band at http://www.australiangnrshow.com/
I would agree with Bjorn and Fan Halen being on the list. Following with Led Zepplica coming in strong and Back in Black, Kiss Army and American English (Beatles Tribute. Another band notlisted I would say deserves a lot of attention is Arrival. Only 1 1/2 yrs new, they are coming in strong performing in places Journey themselves have performed. Kudos from Steve Augeri as well. I’ve personal seen and heard the Ca. Journey Tributes as well as a few in other states. There is no comparison accept Journey themselves.
Just saw these guys out in Oxnard a couple of weeks ago. They’re not like most of the tribute bands I’ve seen before. They’re more interesting because they do a bunch of different tributes in the same show
http://www.platinumrockstars.com
Best Eddie Van Halen impersonation I’ve ever seen too!
I think Aussie Floyd is a better tribute band than Pink Fraud… >.>
@ Geoff Searles – Platinum Rockstars sounds like a great show, but they don’t meet the guidelines for this list…
@Kristin – Yes, but their name isn’t as good!
If you wanna hear a dead on tribute to Steely Dan…. check out Pretzel Logic out of Los Angeles!!
They sound better than Steely Dan!!! These guys pay particular attention to detail and are all fine musicians. Seen them many many times… dont want to see Steely Dan anymore.
Check out this Dutch tribute to Rage against the Machine if you like.
http://www.myspace.com/rageonstagetribute
Another one, worthy of this list is a great Midlands based (but will travel) Who tribute band. They are called My Generation, they don’t go for trying to look like and completely sound like carbon copies of The Who, but I have been to a few of their gigs now, no matter how many people are there, they deliver each time. They are all professional musicians who have been on the circuit for a number of years now.. Too boot they are all genuinely big fans of The Who, which is evident when you see them playing.. They’re all great at what they do, and genuinely honestly, Steve White the bass player is one of the best I’ve seen.. A band that does it for the love of the music rather than just the money.
Should you want to check them out, their website is http://www.my-generation.biz
Check out their Youtube channel too.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheWhoTributeTV
Hope at least one person checks them out, and decides they like them..
How about this band?
A Who Tribute band called My Generation. They are all professional musicians. Also to boot they are all big Who fans. This band play for the love of the music, and do their best to give the audience a great musical experience. They don’t pretend to be look a likes or soundalikes. They are more the Who of modern days.. It’s well worth checking them out.. Their website is
http://www.my-generation.biz
I might as well jump into the fray and toot my own horn.
The Wholigans the worlds first tribute to THE WHO since 1982.
See our 97 + video’s and judge for yourself.
On tour worldwide constantly.
oops I forgot
http://www.thewholigans.com/
The Wholigans you tube channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheWholigans
Play All 97 videoâ??s…4 hours+ back to back
http://xrl.us/TheWholigans1982to2009
Latest news
http://thewholigans.blogspot.com/
Mercuryrocks.com – The worlds No1 Queen Tribute and
The site link you listed shows a parked site, not the band’s site, so I removed it. It appears that the site is no longer owned by the Queen Tribute Band. Here is a link to another tribute band for Queen you may like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSuk6R34Usw
Chicago’s Too White Crew is easily the most unique, one-of-a-kind tribute band out there. Completely live covers of hip hop classics — authentic as hell and wildly entertaining. They’re playing stuff that was never even played live by the artists who wrote the music Too White Crew covers!
Is GABBA still on stage? I heard they didn’t recorded anything since 2005. Their website wasn’t uptodate since 2007.
Hi Lennie, I must have been convinced they were together when I wrote this list in the summer of 2008 or I wouldn’t have included them. I’ve sent an email to the band asking them to confirm so watch for (hopefully) a comment from a Gabba member…
I just found an email from Stig, a member of Gabba. He emailed me after I made this list so they were together at that time definitely. On August 18 2008 he wrote: “Thank you for da listing. Mucho appreciado! Lots of L.O.V.E. Stig”. They haven’t responded to my recent query so I’m guessing they have disbanded.
Thanks for the information, Tanya. That what I was thinking too. I found their MySpace-site, and the last time when a member was online, it was in Oktober 2009 and the last update there January 2009. So I think too, they aren’t together anymore.
You’re welcome and thanks for reading my list
Update re: Gabba. I just received an email from Gabba member Stig. “Sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. GABBA is currently dormant – we haven’t played any live shows since 2007 when Bee Bee disappeared. We eventually found him in Berlin but by then Anneky had gone into seclusion in New Zealand. I wouldn’t rule it out, but it’s gonna take something pretty special to revive the monster! Thanks again for including us in your top ten list. We are truly honoured. All da beast and more… Stig x”