Best U2 Tribute Band?

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Well in my opinion they throw awesome shows and some of my all time favorites are Pink fraud, Joshua Tree and zu2.
 
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deanb26 said:
The best U2 Tribute? well you get a few who think they are the best, same as you get performers on X Factor that think they can sing, you get some that jump on the band wagon and do it for the money with no intention of representing the sound or look of U2, you get others that do it purely for love but are still as above. As a punter travelling and or paying to see a U2 tribute it would be nice to see some resemblance in looks to U2 with costume included and more importantly, it would be nice to see the tribute playing very similar instrumental set-ups if not the same as U2, and more importantly the attention to detail of the music that they are attributing themsleves to would be very much appreciated. If The Bono-alike is,nt, then you cant even start, if the Larry-alike does'nt play the drum pattern to Sunday Bloody Sunday, Pride and so-on accurately, then how can Adam follow him, and if the Edge is playing through a Marshall and not a vox then how can the whole sound of U2 be recreated in the first place. All this said and done take a few moments to view www.theoriginalachtungbaby and follow the link to my space to hear the unbelivable sound. Not to be mistaken for bands named achtung baby. These are one of the original Tributes to U2 formed over 15 years ago and very shortly due to return to the U2 Tribute scene.
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Nice subtle plug of your band there.
I wouldn't have thought the Vox was a massive deal breaker. I know U2 like the band of my hand (sing in a tribute) and I also play the electric guitar, and I'd argue that getting the delay speeds and using the right guitar sounds (I.e. strat for streets, etc) is more important than the exact amp model, but each to their own I guess.
You're right about some of the bands not fully making the effort to replicate the details of the tracks, but unfortunately the tribute scene seems to work on a first come-first serve basis as those who start a band first and get in with all the best agents and venues get all the work, regardless of whether another tribute comes along that's more authentic than them. This is due to the fact that 99% of punters aren't that clued up about the music that they would notice or even care about a lack of attention to detail. If we do a pub gig in front of 100 people and I get my wires crossed and sing the wrong verse in Sunday Bloody Sunday, a grand total of 0 people will notice.
Saying that, good luck with the band, you sound excellent. If you ever make it up North-West England ways I will do my best to come and watch!
 
deanb26 said:
www.theoriginalachtungbaby and follow the link to my space to hear the unbelivable sound. Not to be mistaken for bands named achtung baby. These are one of the original Tributes to U2 formed over 15 years ago and very shortly due to return to the U2 Tribute scene.
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I like how your Bono is singing "All I want Is You" in a country western style.

Your guitar playing is pretty good, but damn, your Bono neither looks nor sounds very "Bono" to me.
 
maggotbrain said:
You're right about some of the bands not fully making the effort to replicate the details of the tracks, but unfortunately the tribute scene seems to work on a first come-first serve basis as those who start a band first and get in with all the best agents and venues get all the work, regardless of whether another tribute comes along that's more authentic than them. /QUOTE]

+1 Absolutely agree here.

Gerry.
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maggotbrain said:
Nice subtle plug of your band there.
I wouldn't have thought the Vox was a massive deal breaker. I know U2 like the band of my hand (sing in a tribute) and I also play the electric guitar, and I'd argue that getting the delay speeds and using the right guitar sounds (I.e. strat for streets, etc) is more important than the exact amp model, but each to their own I guess.
You're right about some of the bands not fully making the effort to replicate the details of the tracks, but unfortunately the tribute scene seems to work on a first come-first serve basis as those who start a band first and get in with all the best agents and venues get all the work, regardless of whether another tribute comes along that's more authentic than them. This is due to the fact that 99% of punters aren't that clued up about the music that they would notice or even care about a lack of attention to detail. If we do a pub gig in front of 100 people and I get my wires crossed and sing the wrong verse in Sunday Bloody Sunday, a grand total of 0 people will notice.
Saying that, good luck with the band, you sound excellent. If you ever make it up North-West England ways I will do my best to come and watch!
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you raise some good points there i think Luke from the original achtung baby would have a few things to say regarding the Vox issue, but then like the Edge he is a perfectionist. we will i,m sure be around your way in the near future look out for the name The Original Achtung Baby
 
I've seen U2JT and they were great. I can't remember the name of the band but this past summer at the San Diego County fair(which I still call the Del Mar fair. /stomps foot/) there was a tribute band and the lead singer was awful!!! I was crushed. He was very ridiculous. The other guys in the band sounded great. We left half way thru the second song. I was very ill the rest of the nite. U2JT will be at Pala casino the begining of March, I'm hoping to catch the show.
 
lulu15 said:
How cool that you're here. Now I gotta come see ya!! You ya'll do a real good job. Bless you!
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Again, Thank you.

If we are doing justice to U2's music, I think it must start with that fact that we are really big U2 fans. Personally, I am super critical about my guitar playing and the sound of our band as a whole. We know we will never sound exactly like U2 but we keep trying. There is always room for improvement. We just hope the people that come see us enjoy what we do because we are sure having fun with it.

Bless you back!

Chas
 
TheEdge U2JT said:
Again, Thank you.

If we are doing justice to U2's music, I think it must start with that fact that we are really big U2 fans. Personally, I am super critical about my guitar playing and the sound of our band as a whole. We know we will never sound exactly like U2 but we keep trying. There is always room for improvement. We just hope the people that come see us enjoy what we do because we are sure having fun with it.

Bless you back!

Chas
Click to expand...

I remember a JT show when their singer commented something to the effect of: "I don't think you know how much time & effort goes into getting the guitar sounds". If you've seen the band you can see that a lot of work goes into 'getting it right'.

The better sounding Tribute Edge's that I've heard have that same perfectionism that Edge has. But it takes that to get it right.

And once you've seen JT play, you can tell a few things.

1) They love the songs and the band.
2) They have done their homework.
3) Chas must have a secret trust fund to afford all of the gear he's got!

What makes a tribute band great is the love for the music and the will to study it to get it right. The Unforgettable Fire from NY and The Joshua Tree are great. Ah yes, Elevation Canada are quite good too. And like those in UF and JT, they are humble, friendly, love the music and work hard at putting on a great show.
 
Edge_Orchestra said:
I remember a JT show when their singer commented something to the effect of: "I don't think you know how much time & effort goes into getting the guitar sounds". If you've seen the band you can see that a lot of work goes into 'getting it right'.

The better sounding Tribute Edge's that I've heard have that same perfectionism that Edge has. But it takes that to get it right.

And once you've seen JT play, you can tell a few things.

1) They love the songs and the band.
2) They have done their homework.
3) Chas must have a secret trust fund to afford all of the gear he's got!

What makes a tribute band great is the love for the music and the will to study it to get it right. The Unforgettable Fire from NY and The Joshua Tree are great. Ah yes, Elevation Canada are quite good too. And like those in UF and JT, they are humble, friendly, love the music and work hard at putting on a great show.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff.

You mentioned both Elevation Canada and UF. I have a HUGE amount of respect for these two bands. Not only do they, IMHO, get it right with the look and the sound, but they are also all really great guys who I am honored to call friends.

You also mentioned humility. That is what cracks me up about threads like this. There are always a few guys who feel they should use it to plug their band as potentially the best (hey check out our web site!!) or outright say how great they are. Maybe I am more critical when I listen to these bands because of their unabashed self-promotion but I find most of them not that great. Anyhow, you'll never see that from either Elevation Canada or UF, even though they both have legitimate case.

On the gear, no trust fund. I'm just blessed with a wife who loves U2 as much as I and has been very supportive of he never ending quest for Edge's tone. All I need now is your '76 Explorer! You selling??? :hyper:
 
TheEdge U2JT said:
Thanks Jeff.

You mentioned both Elevation Canada and UF. I have a HUGE amount of respect for these two bands. Not only do they, IMHO, get it right with the look and the sound, but they are also all really great guys who I am honored to call friends.

You also mentioned humility. That is what cracks me up about threads like this. There are always a few guys who feel they should use it to plug their band as potentially the best (hey check out our web site!!) or outright say how great they are. Maybe I am more critical when I listen to these bands because of their unabashed self-promotion but I find most of them not that great. Anyhow, you'll never see that from either Elevation Canada or UF, even though they both have legitimate case.

On the gear, no trust fund. I'm just blessed with a wife who loves U2 as much as I and has been very supportive of he never ending quest for Edge's tone. All I need now is your '76 Explorer! You selling??? :hyper:
Click to expand...

Sorry to break your heart but I am NOT selling my `76 Explorer. But I could probably bring it out to a gig so you can play "I Will Follow", "UltraViolet", "Out of Control" or other Explorer songs with it. After all, you've shared your stage with me... and your guitars... least I can do is let you have a play on my beloved VINTAGE... LIMITED EDITION...GIBSON... (jealous yet) Explorer.

And while not pointing at anyone that's posted on this particular topic on this particular forum, I do hear you about the shameless self promotion I've seen at times. I also agree that JT, UF and Elevation Canada are bands with members that love the music, respect the U2 fans and do everyone justice by being the great level-head folks that each of you are.

PS - another quick thanks to your band for being so cool and allowing me to play. And to Scott for the loan of the Country Club. NICE guitar. Wish I had the money to buy it... ask him to hold on to that for a while... maybe in a few months... and after the Governator signs a good budget and I know that my job won't vanish... (I work for a state agency) I'd love a Gretsch to join my VINTAGE... LIMITED EDITION...GIBSON... (jealous yet) Explorer. =O)
 
wiechlvu2 said:
Personally, I think that any band that can create the image of U2 is amazing! I have seen many of them over the course of the last 17 years and I cannot say anything negative about any of them. Of course they are different from one another but when I need a U2 'fix', in my eyes, they are as close to the real thing as I am going to get during any given month that they are within a couple of hours traveling time from my home. I give them all credit and my thumbs up :up:

HEY UF,
See you in a couple of weeks at Penn's Peak!! :wave:
Click to expand...

great show once again. i saw them a couple years ago at the peak too..


Ive seen a few tribute bands. only one U2. and that would be UF obviously and theyre awesome! lots of fun! :up: good way to get your U2 fix
 
Edge_Orchestra said:
Sorry to break your heart but I am NOT selling my `76 Explorer. But I could probably bring it out to a gig so you can play "I Will Follow", "UltraViolet", "Out of Control" or other Explorer songs with it. After all, you've shared your stage with me... and your guitars... least I can do is let you have a play on my beloved VINTAGE... LIMITED EDITION...GIBSON... (jealous yet) Explorer.

And while not pointing at anyone that's posted on this particular topic on this particular forum, I do hear you about the shameless self promotion I've seen at times. I also agree that JT, UF and Elevation Canada are bands with members that love the music, respect the U2 fans and do everyone justice by being the great level-head folks that each of you are.

PS - another quick thanks to your band for being so cool and allowing me to play. And to Scott for the loan of the Country Club. NICE guitar. Wish I had the money to buy it... ask him to hold on to that for a while... maybe in a few months... and after the Governator signs a good budget and I know that my job won't vanish... (I work for a state agency) I'd love a Gretsch to join my VINTAGE... LIMITED EDITION...GIBSON... (jealous yet) Explorer. =O)
Click to expand...



ah omg you have a '76 Explorer?! I would sell my soul for that guitar! how did you get yours?
 
EdgeIsTooSexy said:
ah omg you have a '76 Explorer?! I would sell my soul for that guitar! how did you get yours?
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My former g/f (still close friend) Melissa bought it for me.

I've played drums since Jr. High. I didn't begin playing guitar until 1998. I remember showing a former g/f a copy of the 1985 Guitar Player magazine with Edge on the cover, when we first met in 1992. I told her, "If I ever play guitar, I want one of those!", and pointed to the magazine.

She and a mutual friend of our later got the idea... since Jeff is playing guitar now... lets find him THAT guitar. So after 3 years of looking and searching... one day they happened into a guitar shop in NY and et voila - there it was. They bought the Explorer and she surprised me with it.

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Lovely guitar. Amazing tone. I keep that one under lock and key! It come out to get played and then is wiped down and back in the case.
 
I've seen a few of the UK based bands but If anyone is better than Unforgettable Fire/UF2 out of NY then I take my hat off to them. We saw them at Flannerys the night before MSG 1 on Vertigo. I still remember the soundcheck when the LV started doing the intro to Mofo to a group of Japanese girls 'MMMMofo, Tokyo', they were like rabbits in the headlights, I was pissing myself:lol: Cured my jetlag for sure. If anyone from the band is listening I'd love a copy of that show:wink:
 
Thanks id send it to you if I had it:0 Flannerys is always crazy....Hope to see you at another show

Mick (Edge)
 
Elevation Canada ;) They are the greatest bunch of guys!

They're the only ones I've ever seen, mind, but they've spoiled me I think! I'd love to see JT (LA) and UF (NY) - hoping I get the chance on this real-U2 circuit I'm doing!
 
EdgeFest said:
Elevation Canada ;) They are the greatest bunch of guys!

They're the only ones I've ever seen, mind, but they've spoiled me I think! I'd love to see JT (LA) and UF (NY) - hoping I get the chance on this real-U2 circuit I'm doing!
Click to expand...

Elevation Canada are great band and a super nice bunch of guys. I saw them at the Hard Rock in Cleveland in 2003. I also had the pleasure of working with Brady last summer when he played substitute Bono for Joshua Tree at their Orange Country Fair show. Brady is amazing and knows how to work the crowd.

I hate the "BEST" tags. What I have noticed is those tribute bands that are in it for the right reasons, because they love the band and the music, do a great job and do not go around claiming to be the best or premiere or whatever... Those bands shine and their love for the band and the music leads them to work hard, do a great job and put on fantastic shows.

Those that claim to be the best or whatnot, and seem to do 'the tribute band thing based on ego, are usually not the better bands.

The good news is that most fall in the "love the music and do it for the right reasons" category. In that, there are a number of great tribute bands out there, U2 and otherwise.
 
Without restating the obvious, U2 is the best U2 Tribute Band on the planet.

It seems to me that the question as to which U2 tribute band is "best" depends on the characteristics or qualities you wish to value or measure. Many tribute bands describe themselves as best, ultimate, premier, most-authentic, etc. The band, must decide for itself, what combination of skills, member personalities, assets, song selection, use of technology, and performance venues are best suited to achieving personal satisfaction, audience happiness and promoter objectives.

I don't know what makes a band best. What I respect and admire is that all of these tribute bands are doing their best.
 
IMO the best U2 tribute bands use authentic sounding sequencing and don't throw their own style of playing into the songs. Bono's vocals are tough to fake and I think the singer needs to have that natural Bono voice (very few can nail it perfect). Drummers have a tendancy to over play Larry's parts and throw their own spin on it.
 
clint said:
IMO the best U2 tribute bands use authentic sounding sequencing and don't throw their own style of playing into the songs. Bono's vocals are tough to fake and I think the singer needs to have that natural Bono voice (very few can nail it perfect). Drummers have a tendancy to over play Larry's parts and throw their own spin on it.
Click to expand...

I agree, although I saw UF and I think they played a snippet of "Living on a Prayer" during Vertigo (very Bono-like) which was kinda fun. But overall, they were pretty faithful to the originals.
 
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