We were travelling to the country. As we headed out of town, we passed a racetrack that specialized in hosting greyhound events. The venue also boasted that it was home to live music, largely tribute shows. Not that this was clear at one hundred clicks an hour. Signage along the fence line boasted upcoming shows by Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC and Bon Jovi. That these groups should perform at the dog track in Melton seemed somewhat improbable and it was only upon closer inspection that I spotted the all-important caveat of ‘tribute show’.
We were travelling to the country. As we headed out of town, we passed a racetrack that specialized in hosting greyhound events. The venue also boasted that it was home to live music, largely tribute shows. Not that this was clear at one hundred clicks an hour. Signage along the fence line boasted upcoming shows by Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC and Bon Jovi. That these groups should perform at the dog track in Melton seemed somewhat improbable and it was only upon closer inspection that I spotted the all-important caveat of ‘tribute show’.
I respect the right of any musician to earn a living. If that means you need to become Lindsay Buckingham three nights of week whilst performing between rounds of bingo and the meat tray raffle, then more power to your arm. Just don’t advertise your show as ‘FLEETWOOD MAC ………tribute show’. It’s misleading. Besides, naming a tribute band is one of the great pleasures of being in a tribute band. Give me a proper tribute band name, like ‘Abba-ration – the ABBA Tribute Show’, ‘Deft Leppard’, ‘Earth, Wind, For Hire’ or the bagpipe-led ‘Red Hot Chili Pipers’.
It got me thinking. What are suitable names for a Bon Jovi tribute band? You could play it safe and name it after an album. Their breakthrough record was ‘Slippery When Wet’ in 1986, home to hits like ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ and ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’. But ‘Slippery When Wet – the Bon Jovi tribute show’ also sounds like the kind of occupational health and safety hazard that rightly sees punters stay away in droves. I’m not sure any of the other album titles are much help.
The other technique involves using a well-known song. That’s hard to do with Bon Jovi. ‘Bad Medicine’ sounds like a dud night out. ‘Keep the Faith’ sounds like a group that should be passing around a collection plate and not the warm-up act for the darts tournament. Then there’s the risk of being mistaken for someone else entirely. If it were ‘Dead or Alive – the Bon Jovi Tribute Show’ there’s a real chance that someone will rock up expecting the singer to be wearing an eye patch and singing ‘You Spin Me Right Round’.
I decided to help. What should a Bon Jovi Tribute Band be called? I have to admit, I’m very fond of those groups that somehow combine the name of the band they’re honouring with something entirely unrelated which then influences their sound. For example, there’s a heavy metal band that does ABBA songs called ‘ABBAtoir’. ‘Dread Zeppelin’ plays Led Zeppelin songs in a reggae style with an Elvis impersonator out front. There’s even a Star Wars band named ‘Aerosith’.
I was struck by the fact that Christmas was coming up. This led me to think that ‘Bon Bon Jovi’ might be a suitable name. Then I wondered whether, perhaps, this might be their last show before one of the members of the group heads overseas on a Contiki Tour. Surely the name ‘Bon Voyage Jovi’ would be ideal. Or perhaps a Bon Jovi Tribute Band consisting solely of members of the Country Women’s Association – Scone Jovi. What about a group fronted by a redheaded clown called Ronald who is closely associated with a popular hamburger franchise – Ron Jovi? The list is, I suspect, endless.
The tough thing about being in a tribute band is how far to take it. Are you paying tribute to the music or pretending to be the band itself? It’s tricky territory. I once saw an INXS tribute band in Baxter and I’m pretty sure the singer thought he was Michael Hutchence. He wasn’t – something reinforced by the removal of his wig. Then there are the choices you’re forced to make.
If you’re Lindsay from ‘Fleetwood Mac’, which era Lindsay are you? Classic Lindsay from his man-perm / Caucasian-afro pirate shirt wearing mid-seventies genius phase or the later Armani jacket sporting rock elder statesmen with a blow-wave era? Or do you throw caution to the wind and attempt both in a single show by allowing a costume change? These are challenges for any tribute band.
These are problems I’ve never had. I’ve never been a member of a tribute band, as such. I’ve never really wanted to nail my colours quite so decisively to the mast. It takes a lot of commitment to focus on just one act. I’m worried that if I did start a tribute band, the group I chose might be considered too obscure for the general public. I doubt a tribute show based around one of my all-time favourite groups – The Fauves – are going to be invited to play in between dish licker races in Melton, even if one of their best-known songs is entitled ‘Dogs Are the Best People’. People aren’t going to line up to see ‘You Am Not – the You Am I tribute show’ when they can still see the genuine article. That’s as it should be.
I’ve no idea how the Bon Jovi tribute show went. I’ll just say that sometimes the best tribute is in knowing exactly where to draw the line. Now excuse me as I go and form my own tribute band – one that performs angular independent rock as piano-driven power ballads. ‘R.E.M. Speedwagon’ will be appearing at a pokies venue near you before long. Keep your ear out.