Speaking of Tribute/Cover Bands...

[Mr_Walkaway]

So, in celebration of "that awesome thread" coming back, I thought I'd talk about Tribute Bands, Cover Bands, and just covering/"tributing" in general.

To start with, I've gone down the list of DMB Tribute bands I've been able to find, and two in particular stand out to be as being extremely high quality musicianship, while at the same time faithfully paying tribute to/covering Dave Matthews Band. Also, since it is not my purpose here to belittle other bands, I won't name specific band names when I list criticisms. BTW, here is the full list (found on another thread) that I used for my research:


One Sweet World
Trippin' Billies
Crash
Atypical Situation
Dangerous Hours
Crowded Streets
The Grey Street Band
The Last Stop
Big Eyed Phish
Stepping Feet
Groo Grux Kings
Dave Matthews Tribute BandBig Eyed Phish (http://www.bigeyedphish.com) has some seriously solid musicians (with a keyboard player!!!), and listening to "You Might Die Trying" actually reminded me a lot of listening to "the real thing."

The Dave Matthews Tribute Band (http://www.thedmtb.com/) has whiteysax (whom most around here know in some way or another) and a host of other very good musicians. I just found on their myspace page that they have covered (very admirably, I might add) "Grux," which I haven't seen anyone else do yet. Pretty cool.

Since these two were my favorites of the bunch, they'll be the ones I use here as examples. That doesn't mean I didn't like the others, I just thought these two were a bit more... "right."

I do feel that the most awesome authentic-non-DMB experience was by the old "Dave Matthews Cover Band," but they are no more, and these two I listed above come extremely close to (if not equal to) the quality that I felt the DMCB provided.

Other than that, I have found a mixed pedigree of musicianship, vocal and playing styles, and the degree to which the band is paid faithful tribute in all the cover bands I have listened to.

Which begs to question, what should a tribute band do? And is it something different from what a cover band should do? And are those completely different from how a band who plays mostly originals should handle covers and tributes of other bands and songs?

Vocals
For instance, one of the largest criticisms I see whenever tribute bands/cover bands come up, is how closely the tribute singer replicates Dave Matthews' voice. I have seen whiteysax mention before that they are trying to replicate "every aspect of the DMB experience," so to me, it makes sense that their singer tries to sound very much like Dave Matthews. However, there comes a logical point to which (I would think) it is possible (and probable) to say that you have crossed the bounds of tribute, and are instead bordering on parody. Take Chris Pine's interpretation of Kirk in the new Star Trek movie. He decided that he needed to show Shatner's swagger, charisma, and attitudes on screen, but felt that going further to imitate the (very famous and often ridiculed) way in which Shatner delivered lines would seem to be more of a mockery to the man than an actual tribute. I think Big Eyed Phish's vocalist sounds more like Dave than the DMTB, but on the other hand, that doesn't matter to me at all, because I think DMTB's vocalist has a very strong presence and has enough of Dave's inflections that it makes the experience seem authentic, even though he is not 100% imitating Dave's voice.

Most of the other bands on the list, I did not feel as though they sounded like Dave. That was not for lack of trying on some of the bands' parts, and those that tried too hard, I actually thought it made them sound weaker for their efforts. The bands though who had singers who sang in their natural voice (with a mixed bag of quality there as well) felt much more natural to me, and even despite some of the quality not being "up to snuff," I would rather hear them than the vocalists who tried too hard to imitate Dave and fell short.

Musicianship
The quality of the musicians in general is very often spoken of when you're looking at Dave Matthews cover/tribute bands. In particular, the drummer. No one doubts Stefan's, Boyd's, or Leroi's contributions to the band, but (unfortunately?) none of those three have ever been (to my knowledge) nominated, voted for, or spoken of in countless interviews, magazines, and TV spots as "one of the greatest [musicians] of all time." Carter has. Thus, the drummer in these cover and tribute bands has to play a very large and strong role if the band is to truly replicate DMB's sound and feel. Both Big Eyed Phish and the DMTB have pretty awesome drummers (from what I can tell from being a drummer myself), so they show no weaknesses. However, there are several bands on the list whose drummers are definitely not the strongest part of the band, and are completely overshadowed by other musicians. Does that mean they have failed at their task?

Think from a non-musician's perspective. Sure, most people who aren't musicians have still at one point or another heard about how awesome Carter Beauford is. Does that mean that they are going to be sitting there in a venue and comparing every paradiddle, double-kick pattern, and single-stroke roll to how well it was handled compared to Carter? I highly doubt it. I think that as long as the drummer recreates most of the feel of Carter (minimalistic rhythms with lots of dynamics and interplay between the hats and snare), it's not going to matter that they can't play a 4-measure-32nd-note-single-stroke fill at 128 bps. However, there is definitely something to be said for hearing "Pig" and "You Never Know" played as well as Big Eyed Phish and the DMTB play them.

Replication and Imitation
We strive for a very consistent sound, so it's important that when we find ourselves in a position where we need to bring someone new on board, that the end product we deliver changes as little as possible.

This quote (taken out of context here) is part of something whitey replied to me with onetime when I asked why they insisted that their new fiddle player play the exact violin Boyd plays.

To me, it shows one of the two major mindsets of those who look to cover and play tribute to DMB as a full-time gig. It is the mindset of "people are coming to see us play like Dave Matthews Band, not to see our interpretations of their song." I think there is definitely something to this. I saw the DMCB play multiple times at Ziggy's, Cat's Cradle, and Amos' in Charlotte, and the reason I went back to see them every time after that first time, is because they delivered an AWESOME DMB experience. I think that it goes without saying that Big Eyed Phish, DMTB, and one or two others on the list are definitely striving for this route, and are succeeding in that. From what I've listened to of both of these bands, if they show up in my neck of the woods anytime in the future, I will pay to see them, no questions asked.

The other mindset is that of, "we want to play Dave Matthews Band music, but we want to put our own stamp on the songs." I think there's something admirable here, and to me as a musician, I believe it's the path I would have to follow if I were to personally be involved in such a band. The creative aspects are what's most important to me as a player, and I believe at some point, I would tire of constantly playing songs just like Carter played them (though I freely admit, I wouldn't be playing as well as Carter). With that being said, I don't think I would want to pay a lot of money to see that being done. If I went to a Dave Matthews cover band show, and they played all my favorite songs in ways that I wasn't familiar with, I believe I would personally have a hard time going back to see them again - Even if I thought they were good! I just think that people are coming to see these bands for the Dave Matthews experience, not the "John Doe does his version of DMB songs" experience.

Onstage Presence
Dave dances. Boyd goes crazy. Carter blows bubbles, plays a Nintendo DS*, and speaks on the O'Reilly Factor* while astounding us all with his playing. Leroi stood back and played some of the most beautiful moments in the bands' history without budging from the neck down. Stefan jumps around like a crazy person (every now and then). How much do these kinds of things play into the experience?

(* - Not True)

I saw a Phish tribute band a few years ago called Phix (get it?) who pulled out little trampolines and jumped around on them during the show. Is that necessary to get people going? Or is it just a gimmick? Do people expect Dave's little chicken-dance-thing even when they see a tribute band? How far does that extend? If you see an Ozzie tribute band, do you expect the frontman to bite the head off some little creature?

I have seen criticisms laid at bands' feet for emulating every aspect of the original band's performance, except for all the wild antics the original band pulls on stage. Do you think it's a legitimate argument that if a band is fully after the "original band experience," then they must add in all the stage shows, shenanigans, and gimmicks of the original band? Should the DMTB or BYP frontman ramble on for minutes in between songs in some imitation of "Davespeak?" I think this kind of thing is ridiculous, but I have seen the criticisms arise before, so I guess it's worth bringing up.

So what do you guys think tribute bands are expected to do? How should they sound? What would you rather see when you go see a cover band - close and faithful versions, or original interpretations?

TL;DR = Talk about tribute/cover bands.

[whiteysax]

Interesting breakdown, man. I always enjoy seeing other people's insights into our branch of the music world. I remember before I had this gig I was fairly indifferent about the whole tribute/cover thing. I saw nothing wrong with it, but never envisioned myself making a career out of it (to an extent I still don't... I would love to eventually move on to my own endeavors). But after touring with this gig for over a year now I've really come to find the pros and cons, and the differences between tribute and cover. Many of the "DMB tribute" groups I see I would classify as covers. To me, the difference in those terms is MOSTLY musical. I don't care if a band doesn't have a black fiddle player with dreads or do the chainsaw pull dance during Cornbread... but if they add their own musical influences (horn lines that Roi/Jeff don't play, solo sections that you don't hear at a DMB show, missing/reinterpreted violin parts, etc...) cover the music. In my opinion, paying tribute to the band means replicating the same musical experience you would get at a live DMB show... old or new. I do some stuff on stage that you won't hear the band do these days, but horn parts that Roi used to do that are familiar enough that I still feel I'm paying tribute to him. I'll play the dueling banjos sax line during and Ants solo break every now and then... or an extra soprano solo fill during Pantala Naga Pampa which Jeff/Ross doesn't do anymore.
To me, a band like "Tripping Billies," which is probably just as widely known/popular as our group, is a cover band. They are all phenomenal musicians and put on one hell of a show... but they use 2 acoustic guitars/singers, their sax player doesn't play all 5 horns, their stage set up doesn't look like DMB's, and their fiddle player uses performance/solo techniques you would never see Boyd do. Does this take away from their show... not at all! That's evident in the fact that they still sell out major city House Of Blues venues every month. I suppose it's just semantics, but to me, they embody what a "cover" band would be.
Hopefully this thread won't turn into a shit storm... I know how many tribute/cover band haters there are out there. But I am interested to get some others' insights.

[ltondrums]

here you go guys...

blast from the past!

www.youtube.com/thedmcb

[whiteysax]

here you go guys...

blast from the past!

www.youtube.com/thedmcb (http://www.youtube.com/thedmcb)
i saw they put up one of their old shows the other day... haven't had a chance to take a look at the videos yet but just realized it was a Headliners show in Louisville! We just played there 2 weeks ago... great place!

[KAK1154]

I don't have a lot to add, but I wanted to post. I agree with basically everything that the OP said. The only DMB tribute bands I've seen are One Sweet World and Tripping Billies, and I liked One Sweet World much better.

It is very hard to walk the fine line between replica and parody, so I appreciate the bands that do it well. It's a huge factor in the enjoyment of the band, and it's the hardest thing to nail.

[Paettourgg]

I just joined this forum, so I thought I'd make my first comment about my band! I recently joined Rochester NY's Big Eyed Phish playing guitar. I knew the drummer Karl from having jammed with him around the city with mutual friends, and was always in awe of his playing. I was previously in a band that had a huge loft rehearsal space downtown and Karl was a frequent guest at the space, jamming on mostly funk, hard jazz/fusion or just spaced out jammmy amalgamations of sound. I heard through one of the social networking cults/sites that his band needed a new guitarist and I texted him literally as soon as I saw it. I had known about BEF just by having been around the city and going to a lot of shows around town. I thought they were great then and was really interested in trying out.

The thing that originally caught my interest in playing with these guys started as a general interest in DMB. I've been in love with this band since I was real young because my parents love and play music, and my mom has a soft spot for Dave. What really got me hooked however, is their capacity to open up the songs and interpret them in a way that in my humblest of opinion's, Dave himself might like. I think the real attraction to a band like DMB is both the achingly beautiful writing in the lyrics along with exceptionally talented musicians and songwriting. The few times I've been fortunate enough to see DMB live, they just blew me away with how tight the band was, the individual capacities of the players, and how much god damn FUN they have. Dare I say it, what I love most about Big Eyed Phish is that since the moment I joined the band, they have been incredibly open to letting me perform as myself, rather than simply copying everything Tim does. Of course most of the parts are his, and the goal is to replicate the sound of a very sophisticated band, so that takes extreme attention to detail, but the spirit of the band is one where the people going to see us live look forward to seeing the fantastic musicians on stage, rather than a traditional cover band. We strive to keep the same instrumentation as Dave, along with reproducing a combination between the recordings and live performances.

Replicating another bands sound is probably the hardest thing to do live. I mean, you have everything working against you from the very first moment. The sound can be terrible, the stage might be laughably small (which is definitely a problem for a 7 person band!), and not to mention that the world class producer's present during the recording of DMB are not in attendance. It takes a very particular set of skills to perform someone else's music, to every last detail. I have some serious respect for those bands that can pull it off so effectively. There is a lot to be said for showing up to a gig playing songs that everyone already knows and loves; when you mess up, they ALL know it. That being said, I think we strive for a combination of the two ideals. We replicate as much as possible, while still allowing for the musicianship of the individual players to shine through.

I hope that wasn't too wordy of an introduction, but I've enjoyed reading this forum tremendously!

-Peter
Big Eyed Phish

[Paettourgg]

Oh! And secondly, thanks for all the kind words. It was startling to see that my very first performance with the band was met with positive feedback, along with insightful words about the band in general, thanks!!

[n3wyears]

play your own god damn music

p.s. yes I am an asshole

[DMBand520]

I'm gonna throw in some praise here for Stepping Feet. I moved out to San Diego about 19 months ago and for the first year I was out here they played a weekly gig about a 5 min walk from my apartment. My wife (who is also a big DMB fan) and I went to see them probably 3 times a month while they were playing that regular gig. We still get out to see them at least once or twice a month around San Diego.

They have a 5 piece setup (guitar/lead vocals, bass, drums, sax, violin). Occassionally they have a keyboard player sit in with them and every once in a while they have a 2nd sax player sit in. They do a really high energy show and are all really talented musicians. They don't try to mimic DMB's actual stage show, but they do a good job using fills and solos that sound a lot like stuff DMB currently does or has done in the past. Also when they aren't booked by a venue specifically as a DMB Tribute Band they mix in about 30-50% covers of other bands. These are usually a lot of fun. Mostly stuff like Rusted Root, Coldplay, John Mayer, Tom Petty, U2, Tenacious D, Sublime, Jack Johnson. They have a good variety with the DMB songs they play from radio hits like Crash, So Much To Say, Funny the Way It Is to diehard fan favs like Typical Situation, Dreaming Tree, JTR, The Stone.

They have some streaming audio clips of them playing on their website http://steppingfeet.com/ (Warehouse is pretty badass). They also have a video clip up on the sounds page of their website.

I really can't say enough good things about them. I recommend anyone who is in the San Diego or LA area to check them out some time.

[Mr_Walkaway]

Yeah, Stepping Feet is pretty awesome, I have no idea how I missed them. I mean, I know they're in the list up top, but for some reason, I don't think I actually listened to them - I must have skipped them or something by accident. Their #41 is pretty damn good, and while the singer doesn't sound just like Dave, he has a really good, powerful voice.

Oh! And secondly, thanks for all the kind words. It was startling to see that my very first performance with the band was met with positive feedback, along with insightful words about the band in general, thanks!!

No problem man, and thanks for your input. You guys have a good thing going there, and as with all the good tribute bands, I hope you make it to my area of NC sometime, I'd be happy to come out and support you.

play your own god damn music

p.s. yes I am an asshole

Well said, and thanks for contributing. :BANG

[whiteysax]

Yeah, Stepping Feet is pretty awesome, I have no idea how I missed them. I mean, I know they're in the list up top, but for some reason, I don't think I actually listened to them - I must have skipped them or something by accident. Their #41 is pretty damn good, and while the singer doesn't sound just like Dave, he has a really good, powerful voice.



No problem man, and thanks for your input. You guys have a good thing going there, and as with all the good tribute bands, I hope you make it to my area of NC sometime, I'd be happy to come out and support you.



Well said, and thanks for contributing. :BANG
DMTB will be in Beauford and Charlotte in the next 2 months or so. Hope to see you there!

[Mr_Walkaway]

DMTB will be in Beauford and Charlotte in the next 2 months or so. Hope to see you there!

I've already talked to my wife about possibly seeing the Charlotte show, just depends on what comes up, but we definitely hope to.

[whiteysax]

I've already talked to my wife about possibly seeing the Charlotte show, just depends on what comes up, but we definitely hope to.hope to make it a good show since it's a rescheduled performance

[mmccoy173]

I'm gonna throw in some praise here for Stepping Feet. I moved out to San Diego about 19 months ago and for the first year I was out here they played a weekly gig about a 5 min walk from my apartment. My wife (who is also a big DMB fan) and I went to see them probably 3 times a month while they were playing that regular gig. We still get out to see them at least once or twice a month around San Diego.

They have a 5 piece setup (guitar/lead vocals, bass, drums, sax, violin). Occassionally they have a keyboard player sit in with them and every once in a while they have a 2nd sax player sit in. They do a really high energy show and are all really talented musicians. They don't try to mimic DMB's actual stage show, but they do a good job using fills and solos that sound a lot like stuff DMB currently does or has done in the past. Also when they aren't booked by a venue specifically as a DMB Tribute Band they mix in about 30-50% covers of other bands. These are usually a lot of fun. Mostly stuff like Rusted Root, Coldplay, John Mayer, Tom Petty, U2, Tenacious D, Sublime, Jack Johnson. They have a good variety with the DMB songs they play from radio hits like Crash, So Much To Say, Funny the Way It Is to diehard fan favs like Typical Situation, Dreaming Tree, JTR, The Stone.

They have some streaming audio clips of them playing on their website http://steppingfeet.com/ (Warehouse is pretty badass). They also have a video clip up on the sounds page of their website.

I really can't say enough good things about them. I recommend anyone who is in the San Diego or LA area to check them out some time.

Is this Longboards? What sort of place is it, crowded, typical pb bar? Been wanting to check it out for awhile, drive by it all the time... Might go see them this weekend and check out the PACQUIAO VS CLOTTEY fight.

[Jontan]

Just to add to this, I saw "Crowded Streets" the other weekend. They were really great. They play in the Virginia area and sometimes NC. Has anyone else seen them?

[Mr_Walkaway]

Oh, hello thread!

I haven't seen Crowded Streets, but I've listened to their songs on their myspace page. I think they would definitely fall under my (and whiteysax's, apparently) definition of "cover band" instead of "tribute band." They definitely do a lot more of their own style of playing than I would say other bands do. They sound good, but they're not my favorite. The song that did it in for me was "Crush." I think that's a song where bass and drums really need to flourish to pull it off correctly, and the bass and drums were unfortunately to me, only mediocre. That's not to say they didn't play the song well, but it didn't have a very DMB-feel to it at all (to me). But that is also partly the mix'es fault as well - the guitar has way too much presence in that particular mix.

They were one of the bands when I originally created this thread, they were on the verge of being a contender, but little things just got in the way (the mix, not very tight in a lot of places, singer has tuning issues a lot of times).


hope to make it a good show since it's a rescheduled performance

And we still hope to make it.

[whiteysax]

And we still hope to make it.
That show at Amos' was 2 weeks ago. However, we're back in Charlotte for the Alive After Five concert series on June 10, then the next day in Wilmington for the Sundown Concert Series. And on July 15 in Salisbury, NC for the Brick St. Series. And more good news... I believe the Charlotte show is free, Wilmington IS a free show, and Salisbury is only $5. All shows are outdoor

[zairzy]

Hola folks. Sorry I don't visit the boards much. My band Stepping Feet is performing a DMB Tribute show on Friday July 9th @ the Wavehouse (formerly Canes) by the roller coaster. Unlike Longboards, this will be an all DMB show. I have one guitar tuned to Raised B so you'll get a coupe of surprises there. Other rare tunes will be performed. Fans are voting on our FB page... Stepping Feet.

Thanks for listening. Can't wait to catch the real DMB in SD this year! Maybe even Chicago! Woohoo!

[zajDmB1]

Big Eyed Phish's keyboardist is a racist homophobe that's been banned from this forum like 4 times :lol. I apologize to the other members, but don't support his band.

[Paettourgg]

Big Eyed Phish's keyboardist is a racist homophobe that's been banned from this forum like 4 times :lol. I apologize to the other members, but don't support his band.

I don't mean to be rude, but unless he harbors unspoken ill will, I'm unaware of these qualities.

Our drummer, and our 3 Lovely Ladies backup singers, as well as a significant portion of our hometown fans and friends are African-American. I have a number of gay/bisexual friends who frequent our shows, and Brian has talked and joked with them the same as anyone else who comes to our shows. He and I disagree about whether gay marriage ought to be legalized, but he's expressed numerous times that his argument is not against homosexuals, but rather an ethical/moral argument. I don't agree with a lot of his views, but I don't consider him homophobic.

I don't think it's fair to boycott a band because of one member's political views.

[zajDmB1]

I don't mean to be rude, but unless he harbors unspoken ill will, I'm unaware of these qualities.

Our drummer, and our 3 Lovely Ladies backup singers, as well as a significant portion of our hometown fans and friends are African-American. I have a number of gay/bisexual friends who frequent our shows, and Brian has talked and joked with them the same as anyone else who comes to our shows. He and I disagree about whether gay marriage ought to be legalized, but he's expressed numerous times that his argument is not against homosexuals, but rather an ethical/moral argument. I don't agree with a lot of his views, but I don't consider him homophobic.

I don't think it's fair to boycott a band because of one member's political views.

I never go to tribute band shows anyway, so my boycott won't actually affect you, and nobody will listen to me anyway, so don't worry haha. I also mostly said this because I thought he maybe had a 20th alter. It's funny when he gets riled up, so figured I'd try haha

But unfortunately, all the threads me and him have argued in were locked so I can't actually produce any evidence to back myself up, but if you were to actually see the things he'd say, you'd also see it was about much more than the moral/ethical argument, which lets be honest, is pretty homophobic in of itself. There was a blatant deep-seeded anti-gay stance in his rhetoric, and he outright said at one point that because gay couples can't reproduce they don't really deserve to live. Now, he wasn't advocating killing them, that'd just be insane, but the idea he has is bad enough. And many people in nDMBC would be able to back me up about this.

But anyway, sorry for hijacking the thread OP, I'll stop now.

[Paettourgg]

It's all good man. I mean, I can't really comment on conversations I didn't hear and wasn't a part of. I've only been in the band since March!

What I can say is this... I agree with what you're saying in the sense that I'm staunchly in support of gay rights, and I disagree with some of the things he thinks. With that being said however, Brian is a well intentioned, decent person and he is entitled to his own opinion. More to the point, there are plenty of people that make perfectly rational and non-homophobic arguments against the legalization of gay marriage. I happen to think they are wrong, but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that someone is a bigot based solely on their argument against gay marriage. That amounts basically to a straw man argument.

More to the point, my argument is actually quite simple. It's unfair to judge an entire band based on one member's views (even if those views are unpopular). People come to hear the 7 of us play music, not to hear Brian talk. So if his opinion bothers you, that's fine, and by all means please respond, that's the purpose of a forum! But I humbly request, leave my band out of it because it's unnecessary.

...and lastly... you should come to a show and say what's up, you might like us (or at least me at any rate, ha ha)!

[zajDmB1]

It's all good man. I mean, I can't really comment on conversations I didn't hear and wasn't a part of. I've only been in the band since March!

What I can say is this... I agree with what you're saying in the sense that I'm staunchly in support of gay rights, and I disagree with some of the things he thinks. With that being said however, Brian is a well intentioned, decent person and he is entitled to his own opinion. More to the point, there are plenty of people that make perfectly rational and non-homophobic arguments against the legalization of gay marriage. I happen to think they are wrong, but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that someone is a bigot based solely on their argument against gay marriage. That amounts basically to a straw man argument.

More to the point, my argument is actually quite simple. It's unfair to judge an entire band based on one member's views (even if those views are unpopular). People come to hear the 7 of us play music, not to hear Brian talk. So if his opinion bothers you, that's fine, and by all means please respond, that's the purpose of a forum! But I humbly request, leave my band out of it because it's unnecessary.

...and lastly... you should come to a show and say what's up, you might like us (or at least me at any rate, ha ha)!

I agree, and I will apologize. I just can't see the name Big Eyed Phish without thinking of him haha. Also, it was 4 am and I was drunk. The don't go see this band was more of an empty threat attempting to pull him into an efight ha.

[Paettourgg]

ha ha ha ha ha ha it's cool man.

and it probably would have worked, but I'm too quick!

[zairzy]

Set tonight...

Tripping Billies, One Sweet World, Ants, Rapunzel, Satellite, Lie In Our Graves, The Stone, Grey Street, JTR, Gravedigger, Oh, Stay Or Leave, Two Step. Stay, Dreaming Tree, Funny The Way It Is, Grace Is Gone, What Would You Say, Warehouse, Watchtower, Bartender.

Thanks y'all. Need a time reynolds for the Big Whiskey stuff. We've got our Tim, but we need the budget. Ready to play the Big Whiskey tunes whenever!

Thanks to those fans that actually support the musicians (all dmb tributes) who enjoy playing DMB music. Once a year isn't nearly enough... which is why we do what we do. :) Let the haters be. They can hate all they want. DMB's music is too fun not to duplicate. Sorry I'm not sorry. I'm a coxman. Those DMB fans looking to vacation in San Diego... come check us out. We're fun and we love to party. Cheers!

[zairzy]

PS... Thanks for the Jaeger and the Jameson shots. Fun times San Diego. We love you.

[whiteysax]

Set tonight...

Tripping Billies, One Sweet World, Ants, Rapunzel, Satellite, Lie In Our Graves, The Stone, Grey Street, JTR, Gravedigger, Oh, Stay Or Leave, Two Step. Stay, Dreaming Tree, Funny The Way It Is, Grace Is Gone, What Would You Say, Warehouse, Watchtower, Bartender.

Thanks y'all. Need a time reynolds for the Big Whiskey stuff. We've got our Tim, but we need the budget. Ready to play the Big Whiskey tunes whenever!

Thanks to those fans that actually support the musicians (all dmb tributes) who enjoy playing DMB music. Once a year isn't nearly enough... which is why we do what we do. :) Let the haters be. They can hate all they want. DMB's music is too fun not to duplicate. Sorry I'm not sorry. I'm a coxman. Those DMB fans looking to vacation in San Diego... come check us out. We're fun and we love to party. Cheers!
your Wedding Crashers quote automatically makes me respect your band.
that is all. :)

[whiteysax]

Your week in the world of live tribute/covers in case you can't make it to the real thing:

Monday, July 12
Ocean City, MD - The Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Fager's Island

Wednesday, July 14
Erie, PA - Big Eyed Phish - Erie Island Concert Series

Thursday, July 15
Salisbury, NC (Charlotte) - The Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Brick Street Live
Dunkirk, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Dunkirk Music Series

Friday, July 16
Cuyahoga Falls, OH - The Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Rockin On The River
Mission Valley, CA - Gordon Biersch Duo (members of Stepping Feet) - Gordon Biersch Mission Valley
St. Paul, MN - Trippin Billies - Highland Festival

Saturday, July 17
Struthers, OH (Youngstown)- The Dave Matthews Tribute Band - The Cellar
Des Moines, IA - Trippin Billies - Peoples On The Court

[Paettourgg]

Thanks Whitey, you rock!

I think we need to stage a massive "DMB tribute festival" in Charlottesville next year. Like 3 days, all Dave covers. It will be either the greatest thing ever... or a complete disaster. ha ha ha

[whiteysax]

Thanks Whitey, you rock!

I think we need to stage a massive "DMB tribute festival" in Charlottesville next year. Like 3 days, all Dave covers. It will be either the greatest thing ever... or a complete disaster. ha ha ha
yes... this is horrible idea... [/officespace]

[Paettourgg]

ha ha ha that's... what... she... said?

[whiteysax]

ha ha ha that's... what... she... said?
giggity

8

[whiteysax]

In lieu of DMB this week...

Tuesday, July 20
Point Breeze, NY- Big Eyed Phish - Summer Concert Series

Thursday, July 22
Hilton Head, SC - The Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Wild Wing Cafe
Rochester, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Party In The Park

Friday, July 23
Myrtle Beach, SC - The Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Sounds Of Summer Concert Series
Rochester, NY - Big Eyed Phish - RIT
San Diego, CA - Stepping Feet 4 piece - Marble Room
Valpraiso, IN - Trippin Billies - The Warehouse

Saturday, July 24
Asheville, NC - The Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Wild Wing Cafe
Chicago, IL - Trippin Billies - Taste of Lincoln Ave.
Rochester, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Ten Ugly Men
Erie, PA - One Sweet World - Sherlock's
Heidelberg, PA - One Sweet Burgh - Wright's Seafood Inn
Pacific Beach, CA - Stepping Feet - Longboards

[whiteysax]

I'll be on the road all next week headed up into the upper Midwest so I figured I'd compile a set of options for y'all for next week early :) Not too many shows next week... unless you live in Chicago... lots of love for the Windy City!

Sunday, July 25
Chicago, IL - Dave Matthews Tribute Band (Ryan & Josh only, Dave & Tim style acoustic show) - Tom Kelly's Pub

Monday, July 26
Chicago, IL - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Sam Maguires

Wednesday, July 28
Kearney, NE - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Cunninghams

Thursday, July 29
Sioux Falls, SD - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Shenanigans

Saturday, July 31
Chicago, IL - Trippin Billies - Summer On Southport Festival

[whiteysax]

With the band on a 2 week break before wrapping up their tour, here are your tribute/cover options this week!

Tuesday, August 3
Bristol, RI - Dancing Nancy - Gillary's

Thursday, August 5
Woonsocket, RI - Dancing Nancy - City Side

Friday, August 6
Charlotte, NC - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Amos' Southend
Arlington Heights, IL - Trippin Billies - Harmony Park
Gaithersburg, MD - Crowded Streets - Gaithersburg Summer Concert Series

Saturday, August 7
Chattanooga, TN - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Rhythm & Brews
Chicago, IL - Trippin Billies - Retro on Roscoe
Marina Del Rey, CA - Stepping Feet - The Waterfront

Sunday, August 8
Northbrook, IL - Trippin Billies - Northbrook Days Festival

[Paettourgg]

Yeah man, we're on break too til the 13th when we play the ever-filled-with-awesome-nessssst East End Fest in Rochester. I'm in NYC, trying out for American Idol tomorrow morning ha ha ha! Hope I don't suck!

[whiteysax]

Yeah man, we're on break too til the 13th when we play the ever-filled-with-awesome-nessssst East End Fest in Rochester. I'm in NYC, trying out for American Idol tomorrow morning ha ha ha! Hope I don't suck!
seriously? American Idol is everything that's wrong with the music industry. That being said... I'd still take the hand out if I could.

[Paettourgg]

ha ha, it is indeed all that is wrong. However, on the flip side, you're surrounded by major label producer's, talent scouts, etc. It's a pretty crazy experience in general. I made it through the first round where you sing in front of the producer's of the show, but I got cut before I got to do an "on camera" audition. They let through a LOT of joker's in costume's, and very, very few singers.

[whiteysax]

ha ha, it is indeed all that is wrong. However, on the flip side, you're surrounded by major label producer's, talent scouts, etc. It's a pretty crazy experience in general. I made it through the first round where you sing in front of the producer's of the show, but I got cut before I got to do an "on camera" audition. They let through a LOT of joker's in costume's, and very, very few singers.
exactly... they're putting on a TV show. So in addition to everyone they think is going to be good and worth competing, they put through people who are bound to embarrass themselves so fools like me actually watch the first 4 weeks of the show. I'm sure it's a decent way of networking with some people... I just hate that you can audition for a talent show and pre-teen america can vote to hand someone who knows next to nothing about music a million dollar contract. "Pop" music was so much better in the 70s and 80s and none of them won any talent show to get where they were.
Yeah, I guess I'm a little bitter... :lol Don't get me wrong... I'd sell out in a second cause anything to get a musician to the next level is a good thing. If Kelly Clarkston's people called me and offered me hundreds of thousands of dollars to play sax on her next tour, I'd be out the door tomorrow!

[whiteysax]

One more week til DMB is back on the road... get your fill

Tuesday, August 10
Bristol, RI - Dancing Nancy - Gillary's

Wednesday, August 11
Peoria, IL - Trippin Billies - Taste Of Peoria
Perinton, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Perinton Amphitheatre

Thursday, August 12
Pensacola, FL - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Seville Quarter
Rochester, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Party In The Park after-party

Friday, August 13
Orlando, FL - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Plaza Theatre
Powell, OH - Trippin Billies - Lazy Chameleon
Rochester, NY - Big Eyed Phish - East End Festival
Providence, RI - Dancing Nancy - McFadden's

Saturday, August 14
Panama City, FL - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Club La Vela
West Chester, OH - Trippin Billies - Cincinnati's West Chester Festival
Erie, PA - Somedevil - Docksider's

Sunday, August 15
Chicago, IL - Trippin Billies - Chicago Tribune's Rockin On The River

[Paettourgg]

Yeah man, i mean really I had no delusions of getting on the show. I don't think I'm exactly what they are looking for (one could probably tell when I showed up singing an obscure Ray Charles song, surrounded by people that could barely muster a whimper in front of the producers and 15 year olds singing their hearts out to Justin Beiber ha ha). The auditions I went to were in Jersey City, like 15 minutes outside of Manhattan, so it was basically an excuse to visit the city.

God, if Kelly Clarkson needed a guitar player... For gobs and gobs of cash... maybe. ha ha Teddy Geiger is from my town, I tried getting in contact with him when he first started blowing up, but alas his "career" was so incredibly short lived I didn't even get an audition ha.

[whiteysax]

Another light week in the tribute world

Tuesday, August 17
Bristol, RI - Dancing Nancy - Gillary's

Thursday, August 19
Woonsocket, RI - Dancing Nancy - City Side

Friday, August 20
Tuscaloosa, AL - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Private Frat Party
Rosemont, IL - Trippin Billies - Montrose Room Hotel Intercontinental

Saturday, August 21
Suwanee, GA (Atlanta) - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Twisted Tavern
Rock Island, IL - Trippin Billies - Augustana College

[STLsmoothrider]

Acoustic DMB Tribute duo, set in St Louis:

http://www.tribute-band.com/band/brother-chaos


Next show 09/02/10 Kirkwood, Mo


:monkey

“Take what you can from your dreams, make them as real as anything.”

[whiteysax]

On the road for a two tour starting this Thursday, so I'll give y'all 2 weeks worth of tribute shows!

Tuesday, August 17
Bristol, RI - Dancing Nancy - Gillary's

Thursday, August 26
Knoxville, TN - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Private Frat Party
Syracuse, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Coleman's
Woonsocket, RI - Dancing Nancy - City Side

Friday, August 27
Akron, OH - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Lock 3 Live!
Downers Grove, IL - Trippin Billies - Ballydoyle's
Fairport, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Shooters
Jacksonville, FL - Proudest Monkey - Wild Wing Cafe

Saturday, August 28
Erie, PA - One Sweet World - Sherlock's
La Jolla, CA - Stepping Feet (trio show) - Beaumont's
Fairfax, VA - Crowded Streets - Fat Tuesday's

Sunday, August 29
Willimantic, CT - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Eastern Connecticut State University

Tuesday, August 31
New Haven, CT - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Toad's Place
Bristol, RI - Dancing Nancy - Gillary's

Thursday, September 2
Cleveland, OH (Valley View) - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Mickey D's Deck/Philomena's
Somerdale, NJ - Crowded Streets - Shady Katie's
Kirkwood, MO - Brother Chaos (Dave & Tim style acoustic tribute) - Bar Louie

Friday, September 3
Rome, NY - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Capitol Theatre
Cortland, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Stone Lounge

Saturday, September 4
Foxboro, MA - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Showcase Live!
Rochester, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Woody's

Sunday, September 5
Fairfield, CT - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Fairfield University

[werkinsnake]

Interesting breakdown, man. I always enjoy seeing other people's insights into our branch of the music world. I remember before I had this gig I was fairly indifferent about the whole tribute/cover thing. I saw nothing wrong with it, but never envisioned myself making a career out of it (to an extent I still don't... I would love to eventually move on to my own endeavors). But after touring with this gig for over a year now I've really come to find the pros and cons, and the differences between tribute and cover. Many of the "DMB tribute" groups I see I would classify as covers. To me, the difference in those terms is MOSTLY musical. I don't care if a band doesn't have a black fiddle player with dreads or do the chainsaw pull dance during Cornbread... but if they add their own musical influences (horn lines that Roi/Jeff don't play, solo sections that you don't hear at a DMB show, missing/reinterpreted violin parts, etc...) cover the music. In my opinion, paying tribute to the band means replicating the same musical experience you would get at a live DMB show... old or new. I do some stuff on stage that you won't hear the band do these days, but horn parts that Roi used to do that are familiar enough that I still feel I'm paying tribute to him. I'll play the dueling banjos sax line during and Ants solo break every now and then... or an extra soprano solo fill during Pantala Naga Pampa which Jeff/Ross doesn't do anymore.
To me, a band like "Tripping Billies," which is probably just as widely known/popular as our group, is a cover band. They are all phenomenal musicians and put on one hell of a show... but they use 2 acoustic guitars/singers, their sax player doesn't play all 5 horns, their stage set up doesn't look like DMB's, and their fiddle player uses performance/solo techniques you would never see Boyd do. Does this take away from their show... not at all! That's evident in the fact that they still sell out major city House Of Blues venues every month. I suppose it's just semantics, but to me, they embody what a "cover" band would be.
Hopefully this thread won't turn into a shit storm... I know how many tribute/cover band haters there are out there. But I am interested to get some others' insights.
Well said Chris, and I agree with every word in this post.

:trap It's a trap! :D

[KAK1154]

I'm going to try to make it next week to Toad's, would love to meet Chris or some other Ants heading to the show. I haven't seen the DMTB yet.

[jdbartender]

On the road for a two tour starting this Thursday, so I'll give y'all 2 weeks worth of tribute shows!

Tuesday, August 17
Bristol, RI - Dancing Nancy - Gillary's

Thursday, August 26
Knoxville, TN - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Private Frat Party
Syracuse, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Coleman's
Woonsocket, RI - Dancing Nancy - City Side

Friday, August 27
Akron, OH - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Lock 3 Live!
Downers Grove, IL - Trippin Billies - Ballydoyle's
Fairport, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Shooters
Jacksonville, FL - Proudest Monkey - Wild Wing Cafe

Saturday, August 28
Erie, PA - One Sweet World - Sherlock's
La Jolla, CA - Stepping Feet (trio show) - Beaumont's
Fairfax, VA - Crowded Streets - Fat Tuesday's

Sunday, August 29
Willimantic, CT - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Eastern Connecticut State University

Tuesday, August 31
New Haven, CT - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Toad's Place
Bristol, RI - Dancing Nancy - Gillary's

Thursday, September 2
Cleveland, OH (Valley View) - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Mickey D's Deck/Philomena's
Somerdale, NJ - Crowded Streets - Shady Katie's
Kirkwood, MO - Brother Chaos (Dave & Tim style acoustic tribute) - Bar Louie

Friday, September 3
Rome, NY - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Capitol Theatre
Cortland, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Stone Lounge

Saturday, September 4
Foxboro, MA - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Showcase Live!
Rochester, NY - Big Eyed Phish - Woody's

Sunday, September 5
Fairfield, CT - Dave Matthews Tribute Band - Fairfield University

Whitey... My band just got asked to open for you guys at Toad's Place on Tuesday.. See you there!

See link below

[whiteysax]

Whitey... My band just got asked to open for you guys at Toad's Place on Tuesday.. See you there!

See link below
no shit?! badass man... how ironic... the band I had looked into opening for us (also a guy on ants) couldn't. Small world!

[jdbartender]

no shit?! badass man... how ironic... the band I had looked into opening for us (also a guy on ants) couldn't. Small world!

It is funny... We look to play toads any chance we get, it is a great venue! When we got called about this gig, I jumped on it.. I am the only DMB fan in my band :lol

Have you played toads before? If so, how is your draw there?

[whiteysax]

Whitey... My band just got asked to open for you guys at Toad's Place on Tuesday.. See you there!

See link below
let me know if you're interested in having a sax sit in for any tunes ;)

[whiteysax]

It is funny... We look to play toads any chance we get, it is a great venue! When we got called about this gig, I jumped on it.. I am the only DMB fan in my band :lol

Have you played toads before? If so, how is your draw there?
yeah... we played there back in Feb 2009. honestly, I don't remember the draw... it was my first week with the band. We have a good following in the NE... the only thing that worries me is that it's a Tues show... so we'll see how that factors in. How's your band's draw around the New Haven area?

[jdbartender]

let me know if you're interested in having a sax sit in for any tunes ;)

If you wanted to jam a tune with us, I am sure I could make it happen... We are a funk/jam band so even if you wanted to do an improv jam for fun - why not. I just don't know how much time we get though?

[jdbartender]

yeah... we played there back in Feb 2009. honestly, I don't remember the draw... it was my first week with the band. We have a good following in the NE... the only thing that worries me is that it's a Tues show... so we'll see how that factors in. How's your band's draw around the New Haven area?

It is normally pretty good, but we litterally got the gig today. So we go less than a week to promote a Tuesday night show... Could be tough.

Eitherway, I am sure it will be a blast! Toads is great!

[whiteysax]

If you wanted to jam a tune with us, I am sure I could make it happen... We are a funk/jam band so even if you wanted to do an improv jam for fun - why not. I just don't know how much time we get though?
I'm pretty sure you guys will be 9-10 and we'll start at 10:30. just let me know if there's a song you want a sax on :)

[whiteysax]

It is normally pretty good, but we litterally got the gig today. So we go less than a week to promote a Tuesday night show... Could be tough.

Eitherway, I am sure it will be a blast! Toads is great!
You're the lead guitarist for the band?

[jdbartender]

I'm pretty sure you guys will be 9-10 and we'll start at 10:30. just let me know if there's a song you want a sax on :)

Yeah I'll ask the guys... How about Superstition? We play it pretty straight up, but do a solo trade between our keyboardist, guitarist, and bassist in the middle... I think there is an example on our myspace. That would be perfect for a sax... We could sound check it if you get there early enough

[jdbartender]

You're the lead guitarist for the band?

Nope... I sing and play Rhythm

[whiteysax]

Yeah I'll ask the guys... How about Superstition? We play it pretty straight up, but do a solo trade between our keyboardist, guitarist, and bassist in the middle... I think there is an example on our myspace. That would be perfect for a sax... We could sound check it if you get there early enoughsure.. i already know that tune... what key do you do it in?

Nope... I sing and play Rhythm
ah cool

[jdbartender]

sure.. i already know that tune... what key do you do it in?


ah cool

Sorry dude... Just the singer, so I am not sure. I I'll send you a PM with the info when I get it!

[KAK1154]

Any updates on the times for tomorrow night you guys? I'm playing an open mic down the street and I'm wondering if I'll be able to catch either jdbartender's or whiteysax's band before and/or after I play.

[JCpatriot66]

I just gotta say, DMTB sucks. Especially their saxophonist. Gawd.

[jdbartender]

Any updates on the times for tomorrow night you guys? I'm playing an open mic down the street and I'm wondering if I'll be able to catch either jdbartender's or whiteysax's band before and/or after I play.

Its sounds like DMBTB goes on at 10 and we go on at 9... The problem with Toad's Place is, they are horrible with communication so we don't know for sure. If you want to catch us both, I'd say, get there around 8:30 to be safe.

Hope to see you there, should be a great time!

[whiteysax]

Its sounds like DMBTB goes on at 10 and we go on at 9... The problem with Toad's Place is, they are horrible with communication so we don't know for sure. If you want to catch us both, I'd say, get there around 8:30 to be safe.

Hope to see you there, should be a great time!
For the show tonite the opener starts at 9. DMTB is on at 10.

[KAK1154]

Thanks, guys. I may be able to stick around for some tunes before I play.