It was not too long ago that ‘pro’ bands in India used to gain popularity by nailing note perfect tracks by bands like AC/DC, Whitesnake and Dream Theater. The audience got high on the accuracy and the similar hysteria these bands provided by imitating the original greats. Covers never did anyone any harm. Infact, many of the western acts actually broke to the surface by playing their versions of famous songs (Black Magic Woman – Santana, Cocaine – Eric Clapton, You Really Got Me -Van Halen etc). However, with the independent music scenario in our country coming of age, today’s situation is far brighter with fresh sounding bands playing complete sets of their original music and recording the choicest of their tracks for the audience to trip on and get over the craze for western acts. None of these bands will deny that the western artistes are solely what inspire them but all of them will be a bit iffy about the idea of typically imitating them.

Well thats what we thought. Though musicians started to realise that their original material was being better accepted, they also saw a large audience who still wanted just covers and familiarity. Venues like Hard Rock Cafe and other big diners/pubs get patrons who need an easy night out with some known music playing in the background to hum along to. The standard college crowd (apart from the indie worshipping ones like NLSIU and the IIT’s) also wants a few covers thrown into a long set. The bands eventually have to give in and insert a stale cover or two into their otherwise juicy original set. Some bands take this up as a challenge and try to disguise their covers and play them in their own styles for people to discover the songs and in turn win some fans of their own. The third category is the tribute band.

Its the best of both worlds. These bands are created by getting like minded musicians from original bands in the local scene and putting them together under a new name playing the most popular tracks by a classic western artiste. Sells both ways. Fans of the respective performers or their bands come in to watch what they have to offer in this new role and fans of the band being paid tribute to turn up in large numbers. A number of such events have been organized recently including the hugely successful Rolling Stone multi-city tribute tour which had local supergroups playing full cover sets of bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple etc. These events get house full attendance in contrast to the kind of response an all original band might get at the same venue or any other local hangout. Having said that, tribute bands are a popular trend all around the world and even this new wave of such acts here in India are drawing influence from the west.

The covers Vs originals has been and will be an everlasting debate in the circuit but the fact is that the mindset is only just starting to change. Very few of us want to pay as less as Rs 150/- for Avial’s debut album which actually sounds better than many of the American releases the past year has seen. On the other hand, such events have tickets selling out which can cost anywhere between Rs 250/- to Rs 750/- per head. After all, it is once in a lifetime they say. The best original bands in the country might be playing weekday slots and getting a one-third turn out as compared to these all-cover events which happen closer to the weekend when the ‘junta’ has more time. We can call it a new way to adapt, but it seems like the listeners got bored of the original wave before they could get deep enough. Thing’s seem to be coming a full circle in some ways from how things were 15 or so years ago but hey, they dont call us the indie industry for nothing – There’s always better things to come.

Tags: insight, tribute
Category: Indie Insight »