Cover bands are often maligned as lame copycats who are simply riding the coattails of their famous brethren.
But they are also professional musicians often making a good living by providing fans of those artists a much more economical way to enjoy the music in a live setting. And given how the pandemic has upended the entire concert business, which is only now lurching back into gear, the new E! show “Clash of the Cover Bands” gives these tribute artists a timely national platform to try to show they can deliver the goods.
The competition show debuts Wednesday on E! at 9:30 p.m. and each 45-minute episode will feature a face-off between two bands or acts of similar genres. Each plays a single song. Then three judges ― Queen frontman Adam Lambert, singer Meghan Trainor and songwriter Esther Dean ― provide constructive criticism.
The bands meet with experts to improve their acts and return to do back-and-forth medleys. The judges then crown the winner, who pockets $10,000.
Some tribute acts include those replicating Aretha Franklin, Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Cher, Depeche Mode, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Foo Fighters, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Lady Gaga, Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, Tim McGraw and Tina Turner, The first episode featured a battle between U2 and Coldplay cover bands.
Two Atlanta-based cover bands Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi) and Blank-281 (Blink-182) are represented over the 10-episode season. Here are thumbnail sketches of each:
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Slippery When Wet
Honoring: Bon Jovi
Based out of : Atlanta
Origins: Lead singer Jason Morey was working in cover bands for years, including disco and 1980s genres. He moved to Atlanta in 2003 from Orlando and decided to put together Slippery When Wet because Bon Jovi songs always went over well when he performed them. “When I first put it together, mind you, nobody told me this would work, even people close to me. I thought it might go for a couple of years. Now we’ve been doing this 18 years!”
Why the appeal: “I have a resemblance to [Jon Bon Jovi.] The other thing is the songs. Over time, they’ve become classics like ‘Living on a Prayer’ and ‘Wanted Dead or Alive.’ They’ve stayed popular and a new generation has found them.” [They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.]
Their concerts: “We perform the modern version of Bon Jovi. We don’t wear Aqua Net. We play everything from their first album to their most recent one.”
Stamp of approval: Amazingly, Jon Bon Jovi heard Slippery When Wet, liked them, and officially gave them a “stamp of approval” in 2007. Bon Jovi even invited the tribute band to do shows on some cruise ships with them. Morey has a photo of himself with Bon Jovi himself.
Upcoming tour dates: The Ranch in Fort Myers, Florida (capacity: 1,785); The Stage Country & Rock Bar in Williamsville, New York; Furniture Factory & Grill in Hunstville, Alabama; the Edinburgh Fire Festival in Edinburgh, Texas. They do about 120 dates a year.
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Credit: E!
Credit: E!
Blank-281
Honoring: punk-pop band Blink -182
Based out of: Atlanta
Origins: After Blink-182 went on hiatus in 2005, Chicagoan Mike Greene (as drummer Travis Barker) decided to create a three-piece tribute band. “I love Blink-182,” he said. “I love the idea of being a three-piece band. We right away played the college scene frat parties. That went pretty strong. Then when the kids got older and got jobs, we started doing the live concert scene.”
Coming to Atlanta: Greene moved to Georgia in 2010 and his band now features bass guitarist Matt Nolan and guitarist and vocalist Jason Yates.
Sample tour dates: The band said it usually does venues selling 300 to 400 tickets. Recent dates include Cumming Music Festival, Broad Street Station in Douglasville and the University of Alabama. They do gigs at Smith’s Olde Bar at least twice a year.
The tribute band ethos: Greene: “We dress like them and look like them as much as we could. We try to emulate their live show as much as possible right down to the jokes they make on stage. We try to give the audience that true experience.” Yates: “If you can’t beat’em, join’em. It’s a viable market and it’s something here to stay. I’m privileged I could be part of it.”
Why it works: “It’s the nostalgia factor,” said Nolan. “Our sweet spot is college kids and people in their 30s and 40s. We do a lot of college festivals.” Greene added: “Blink-182 is now considered classic rock.”
Why do the show: “This would be a great opportunity given what we’ve been doing over the years and broadcast our act on a national level,” Greene said.
Feedback: Nolan: “Adam [Lambert] gave us some good feedback on my pitch, my timing, little things I could do vocally. I always felt like I sing punk rock. Why do I need vocal lessons? But we got to hook up with a vocal coach. I’m utilizing it now. The advice has elevated us.”
Expanding out: “If we do three-hour shows, we definitely do more than just Blink-182. ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ by Lit, people go nuts for that,” Greene said. “‘Mr. Brightside.’ ‘Sugar, We’re Going Down.’ We’ll sidetrack and circle back. It helps build the show. When Matty sings ‘Your Love’ by the Outfield, the crowd loves it!”
WHERE TO WATCH
“Clash of the Cover Bands,” 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays on E!
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