Send in the Clones: A Cultural Study of the Tribute Band

183 Pages·2012·1.738 MB·English

by  Georgina Gregory

Send in the
Clones
Studies in Popular Music
Series Editors: Alyn Shipton, journalist, broadcaster and former
lecturer in music at Oxford Brookes University, and Christopher
Partridge, Professor of Religious Studies, Department of Politics,
Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University
From jazz to reggae, bhangra to heavy metal, electronica to qawwali,
and from production to consumption, Studies in Popular Music is a
multi-disciplinary series which aims to contribute to a comprehensive
understanding of popular music. It will provide analyses of theoretical
perspectives, a broad range of case studies, and discussion of key issues.
Published
Open Up the Doors: Music in the Modern Church
Mark Evans
Technomad: Global Raving Countercultures
Graham St. John
Dub in Babylon: Understanding the Evolution and Significance of
Dub Reggae in Jamaica and Britain from King Tubby to Post-Punk
Christopher Partridge
The Lost Women of Rock Music: Female Musicians of the Punk Era
Helen Reddington
Forthcoming
Global Tribe: Technology, Spirituality and Psytrance
Graham St. John
Heavy Metal: Controversies and Countercultures
Edited by Titus Hjelm, Keith Kahn-Harris and Mark LeVine
Send in the
Clones
A CulturAl Study of the tribute bAnd
GeorGina GreGory
Published by Equinox Publishing Ltd.
UK: Kelham House, 3 Lancaster Street, Sheffield, S3 8AF
USA: ISD, 70 Enterprise Drive, Bristol, CT 06010
www.equinoxpub.com
First published 2012 by Equinox Publishing Ltd.
© Georgina Gregory 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permis sion
in writing from the publishers.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gregory, Georgina.
Send in the clones : a cultural study of the tribute band / Georgina Gregory.
p. cm. -- (Studies in popular music)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-84553-263-5 (hb) -- ISBN 978-1-84553-245-1 (pb)
1. Tribute bands (Musical groups) 2. Popular music--History and criticism. I. Title.
ML3470.G74 2011
781.64--dc22
2011004422
ISBN 978-1-84553-263-5 (hardback)
ISBN 978-1-84553-245-1 (paperback)
Typeset by CA Typesetting Ltd, www.sheffieldtypesetting.com
Printed and bound in the UK by MPG Books Group
Contents
List of Figures vii
Acknowledgements ix
1 Introduction 1
2 Tribute Bands in Context 7
3 From “Ghost” and Cover Bands, to Pop Parody and Tributes 23
4 Establishing a Typology 46
5 Getting Established and Maintaining a Career 78
6 The Value of Paying Tribute: Critical Responses 107
7 Fandom and Collective Participation 130
Notes 152
Bibliography 162
Index 170

List of Figures
1. “Crosswalk” jacket (photograph Russ Lease, by permission) 16
2. Sgt. Pepper drumhead (photograph Russ Lease, by permission) 17
3. Wayne Ellis (photograph Wayne Ellis, by permission) 55
4. The Sex Pistols Experience (photograph Kevin Ryab,
by permission) 56
5. The Counterfeit Stones (photograph Steve Elson,
by permission) 59
6. Whole Lotta Led (photograph Graham Twist, by permission) 62
7. The Iron Maidens (photograph Wanda Ortiz, by permission) 67
8. Lez Zeppelin (photograph Steph Paynes, by permission) 69
9. Hayseed Dixie (photograph Free Trade Agency, by permission) 73
10. Beatallica (photograph Michael Tierney, by permission) 75
11. Paul Higginson (Oasish) (photograph Kevin Ryan,
by permission) 86
12. Nathan Morris (photograph Kevin Ryan, by permission) 87
13. The Bootleg Beatles (Raj Patel, by permission) 92
14. Limehouse Lizzy (photograph Wayne Ellis, by permission) 94
15. Danielz (photograph Danielz, by permission) 95
16. Tizz Lizzy and Twin Lizzy Logos (Steve Edgar, by permission,
and www.myspace.com/twinlizzyofficial) 99
17. Wayne Ellis (photograph Wayne Ellis, by permission) 110
18. Bjorn Again, performing the greatest hits of Abba
(photograph Rod Stephen, by permission) 124
19. Glastonbudget audience (photograph Kevin Ryan,
by permission) 134

Acknowledgements
Thanks to all the musicians who were kind enough to provide me with
their personal insights and information about their work. Special thanks
must go to Steve Elson, Wayne Ellis, Jose Maldonado, Danielz, Wanda
Ortiz, Adrian Gregory, Steph Paynes, Dave (Sex Pistols Experience) and
Paul Higginson. Kevin Ryan of Charnwood Arts very kindly allowed me to
use images and I would like to thank Christopher Popa and Ed Wincent-
sen for being prepared to share their expert knowledge with me. Col-
leagues at University of Central Lancashire and elsewhere have all been
tolerant of my obsession and deserve a mention: John Walton, Dave
Russell, Anandi Ramamurthy, Susan Sydney-Smith, Fazila Bhimji and in
particular – Ewa Mazierska – all of you have helped me in different ways.
Thanks go to Pat Walsh for illuminating observations. Friends too, have
been really supportive – Kath, Hazel, Tony, Sue, Bertie, Ines – accom-
panying me on nights out or being prepared to listen to endless tales
about men in leather trousers! I am grateful to Alyn Shipton for guidance
and patience throughout the project and my children must be also given
credit for their patience and support. Finally, I would like to dedicate this
book to my mother and my late father for their love and encouragement
over the years.