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. You can scoff at the legitimacy of their place in the music world. But you can't accuse them of forcing themselves on anyone.