Almost the real thing

Photo Credits: PG3. LEAD_2

The Australian Pink Floyd Show

It can’t be easy paying tribute to Pink Floyd. The original band not only has a specific style that’s quite difficult to replicate, they’re equally as famous for their elaborate lighting rigs and multimedia stage presentations. Founded in 1988, The Australian Pink Floyd Show has cannily avoided any dependence on facial similarity to David Gilmour by distracting punters with a dazzling lasered-up AV show in the lysergic spirit of the original Cambridge art school crew. As well as a copy of the pink pig last seen flying over Battersea Power Station, the Aussies have their own inflatable: Skippy, a flying kangaroo. In 2008, they mounted a full-blown version of The Wall, and, while as far back as 1996 they found themselves playing Gilmour’s 50th birthday, their high watermark was surely 2006’s Royal Albert Hall sellout.

The Iron Maidens

These ladies can sure belt out a tune, and they’re not bad on the eyes either. The Iron Maidens are a Los Angeles-based all-female tribute to the mighty Iron Maiden, and they bring a miniature version of the legendary metal band’s stage show along with them. Comprised of singer Bruce Chickinson, drummer Nikki McBurrain, bassist Steph Harris and guitarists Adriana Smith and Mega Murray, the Iron Maidens aren’t just a novelty act with cleavage, they’re seasoned musicians who can put on a solid show. Although arguably no band on the planet can compete with Iron Maiden’s live show, this all-girl tribute does the band justice with a heavy twist of estrogen.

Bootleg Beatles

Clocking up over 4,000 gigs in their 37-year span, the Bootleg Beatles are almost older than John Lennon ever was. Unlike the original Beatles, who merely sang about it, they actually performed a 60-date tour in the USSR, but their high watermark came when Oasis began to take unabashed Fabs worship into the mainstream. In the same era that a giant image of Lennon would be lowered at the end of every show so that the Gallaghers could bow down in front of it, they began recruiting the Bootlegs as their support act. At Knebworth, this culminated in them playing to a crowd of 250,000 over the two nights. In 1999, the fake four played the roof of 3 Savile Row, in imitation of the famous Let It Be gig. Sadly, their 2009 plan for a 40th anniversary repeat was nixed on health and safety grounds.

Lez Zeppelin

In a saturated novelty landscape, Led Zeppelin tributes have ranged through all the angles, from Dread Zeppelin – “the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300-pound [140 kg] Las Vegas Elvis impersonator” – up to and including the Lez Zeppelin – an all-female version of Plant, Bonham and Page. Having managed to tame big-stage crowds at notoriously picky moshers’ favourite Download festival, they have bloomed into a tribute act so confident that they record their own albums.

Live Wire

AC/DC have also inspired many, many imitators. But few of them come anywhere close to the raw power and incendiary live performances of the real Australian rockers. Based out of New York, Live Wire have performed the music of AC/DC on three continents, been featured on ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ and played live on XM Satellite Radio. They are the only AC/DC tribute act in the world to be featured on AC/DC’s official website, as well as on the band’s official Facebook page. Live Wire’s YouTube channel has logged more than a million views. The band also appeared in the documentary ‘Fannation.’

Alcoholica

Canadian Metallica tribute act Alcoholica bring the power of their thrash muses to life consistently during every performance. The tribute act has performed some massive shows in their distinguished past, including a set at Woodstock en Beauce in front of 35,000 people.

Alcoholica have even earned the blessings of Metallica frontman James Hetfield, who thanked the tribute act for “keeping the spirit alive” in 2004. Members of Godsmack have also lent praise to Alcoholica after attending a 2004 performance in Quebec City.

Just Like Priest

Just Like Priest are a Judas Priest tribute act from Southern California. It’s a long way from England, but the Cali cover band bring Judas Priest to life through both sight and sound. The name of the band came after their first show, after a spectator said, “I don’t know what you’re gonna call yourselves, but man, you sound just like Priest.” The name is certainly fitting, as vocalist Frank Casciato mimics the great Rob Halford spot-on, while dueling guitarists Kevin Pittsey and Brian Olsen channel the power of Glen Tipton and K.K. Downing with a precise delivery.

The Atomic Punks

If you’re looking for a dose of pure Van Halen, check out the Atomic Punks. The group pays tribute specifically to the early glory days of Van Halen — the classic David Lee Roth-fronted era, none of that Sammy Hagar stuff. Howard Stern said on his radio show that the Atomic Punks are “the total experience — they do Van Halen better than Van Halen themselves!” Michael Anthony has jammed onstage with the band on two different occasions, while Roth is so impressed with them that he’s raided their lineup for guitarists in his solo band not once, but twice. In his autobiography, Diamond Dave calls them “the best tribute to Van Halen ever.”