Walking Disaster

Tribute bands are so underrated. They’re just awesome, fun, and we need to appreciate them more! They’re not a cover band; those are bands that play their own renditions of songs from their favorite era – usually the radio’s Top 40 from whichever year they lost their virginity. Cover bands think they can improve upon existing perfection by adding random and incomprehensible solos or falsettos. Tribute bands are way better, and here’s why. 

1. Tribute bands are just doing live covers of one (or two) specific bands, so you know what you are going to get. If you see a Fleetwood Mac tribute, you can expect to hear the hits, the deep cuts, and the shawl twirling. A Michael Jackson tribute will have all the energy, the “tah’s”, “shamons”, or “he-he’s” and other weird noises that you would expect from the King of Pop himself. A Daft Punk tribute band…doesn’t exactly make sense, but probably would have a really cool light show or PowerPoint or something to go with the performance! My point is, the tribute bands will lean into the camp and meta aspect a little more compared to cover bands that want to make everything their own. 
2. They play live! In all fairness, cover bands play live as well but this isn’t about them plus I’m on a roll. I am not even sure the bands or artists they cover can say the same thing. Granted, a lot of those artists are dead or nearly dead, so by definition, they can’t sing live. But every so often you realize how much the vibe changes with the live music, especially compared to stadium-sized “live” tracks. There are brownie points awarded to both cover and tribute bands here, if I’m honest. 
3. Cost! I don’t know if this is a difference between cover and tribute bands or just a difference in the venues they play. Although the venue would also be a main difference between the two, in and of itself, I guess? Normally cover bands play in places and venues that require a cover charge and a bar tab. Before you know it, you’re fifty bucks in just to see someone try to improve upon Stairway to Heaven (as if that’s even possible). Tribute bands typically play at parks, neighborhood venues, or outdoor events that are happening for other reasons. Most of these are not only free to attend somehow but also allow you to bring your favorite snacks and booze. I’m much happier sitting in the grass, listening to the Rocketmen with a Truly and Adult Lunchables (aka charcuterie) than I am after Ubering to the nearest House of Blues knockoff. 
4. Last but not least, the names. Tribute bands have awesome and punny names that automatically make them better. The Killer Queens, Who’s Bad, Fleetwood Max, and the Jumping Jack Flashes are all pretty solid names for the band they’re paying tribute to (Queen, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones). Nothing makes me giggle more than the Johnny Cash cover band called The Walking Phoenixes. A U2 cover band called Joshua Three is pretty genius. An all-girls band calling themselves Lez Zeppelin? Gold. 

I hate that I couldn’t think of a fifth reason.

Let’s be honest though…it’s absolutely the cost that makes me love them. I’d obviously prefer to see Bruce Springsteen in person, but since I don’t have enough disposable income for that, I’ll just stick with seeing Tramps Like Us and enjoying my life the way the Boss intended.