But to hear people talk about the tribute bands that make the rounds in their stead, it seems to make little difference. Wicked Garden is Stone Temple Pilots. Believer is Ozzy Osbourne. Cover bands and tribute acts dominate the clubs. Original music has long played second bill and is just beginning to make significant inroads.
Familiarity guarantees a crowd.
And a crowd guarantees money. Tribute acts make up a small but distinct musical constituency. Their art is the art of re-creation, the careful, often meticulous, pursuit of a sound they didn't originate but that they love nonetheless. You can make all kinds of judgments about the way tribute acts make their living. You can question their artistic integrity.