Tribute Bands or the Real McCoy?
Apparently I am responsible for verbally forcing from a great distance another human being to attend a Floyd tribute band’s gig. I was unaware I had such powers and wonder what else I can do with them. A phone call from the said concert left me in little doubt that I wasn’t missing anything but that may well have been due to the poor reception and the missing ambience of actually being there which was totally lost via wireless transmission. From what I could discern, they were hitting a few familiar notes but seemed to be trying to make up for any lack by increasing volume. By the last phone call, it had increased to the point of not being able to hear anything other than the word ‘tonight’. What it is that is to happen or not happen tonight has been entirely lost in Another Brick in the Wall complete with childrens choir.
So this raises the question… are tribute bands worth their salt? I argued last evening that you have to admire them for having a go. To mimic an already famous band takes some skill and courage since they are aspiring to reproduce a specific sound, already attained. Then again… if it’s already attained… what’s the point? Is there as much merit in immitation as originality? I’d be inclined to say not unless the immitation is note for note perfect. A carbon copy seems a little pointless for the sake of it. Why be unoriginal?
That aside.. I have managed for the first time to watch the Fifth Element without missing the start. It didn’t really make much difference.
