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The Beatles, Zeppelin, the Boss and Dylan: the recession version comes to town

June 17, 8:51 PMDC Music ExaminerLiza Woods
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Rain brings the Fab Four to audience around the country

There are some artists that are so legendary, so timeless and so amazing that any music fan needs to see them. But sometimes due to high ticket prices, sold out shows, the band not being together anymore or other factors it becomes impossible to see the original. That is where the art of the tribute or cover band comes in. Don't laugh at the idea because some of the bands are so immensely talented that they are as much musicians as gifted actors. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and the case of some bands they take the love of an artist and can make it feel almost like seeing the real band. Plus as an added bonus these tickets are a whole lot cheaper then seeing the real artist too if the budget is limited. Some of these artists not only totally recreate the atmosphere of the live show plus the sound and look of the band or artist they pay homage to so perfectly, that it is a great substitution for the real thing.

Just look at Australian Pink Floyd who made a stop in the DC area last year. They performed the entire The Wall album and ask anyone who has seen them, the entire experience leaves most people who walk out feeling as if they just witnessed Roger Waters, David Gilmour and the rest of Pink Floyd reunited on stage. There is actually a surprising amount of cover bands coming to our area that may not be as mind-blowing as the original but could be a pretty good surrogate for any fan of the band’s music. While there are some not-so-good cover bands, the ones playing our area do not fall into that category. So whether you are a fan of timeless classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and the Beatles or fans of two living legends famous for their songwriting and amazing songs Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan there is likely something on this list to feed the craving for some of music's most famous songs. So open your mind and be open-minded and give these bands a chance who underneath it all are fans just like everyone else. Plus they are bringing artists to a whole new generation too which is never a bad thing.

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For the fans of Bruce Springsteen:
If you were unable to attend The Boss' recent stop in DC then consider checking out Bruce in The U.S.A. this Saturday June 20 at 7pm at Rams Head Live. Made up of Matt Ryan and his band American Dream, this band is considered far more then a mere tribute band. They have been given rave reviews from the media and even Mr. Clarence Clemons himself who should know a thing or two about The Boss. If you need proof of how utterly mind-blowing Matt and his own personal E Street Band are then click on the band name above and check out some of the videos from the bands site. It will blow your mind not only how much Matt resembles the legend himself but also how they manage to capture the sound and power of Bruce’s live shows. Tickets are only 13.50 as an added bonus.

For the fans of Led Zeppelin:
Bummed out that Robert Plant and Jimmy Page won't be giving everyone the dreamed about reunion tour after all? Well then at least fans of Zep can temporarily quench their thirst to see the Gods of rock not once but twice with two Zeppelin tribute bands. If you go see Zoso tomorrow night then you also get a Rush tribute band called Limelight on the same ticket, as part of National Harbor's efforts to give back in this tough economy.

 

  • The first band is Zoso-The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience playing tomorrow night June 18 at National Harbor in DC, as part of the National Harbor Sunset Concert Series. The show starts at 8pm and general admission is free for this show. Lead singer Matt Jernigan is spot on when it comes to his vocals and the rest of the bands mastery of Zeppelin's signature sound. Clips are viewable on the bands site by clicking the band name above. Known for playing numerous popular favorites like "Kashmir" and "Immigrant song" but also known for playing some of the lesser known gems too there is a good reason Chicago Sun Times said they are the closest to the original then any other tribute band.
     
  • The second band is Get The Led Out: The American Led Zeppelin. This show is next Saturday June 27th at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. Doors are at 7pm and tickets are $25 plus tax. The band themselves have said they aren't mere impersonators but actual fans of the band trying to do justice to the band. Unlike Zoso they didn’t go for the look of the band instead offering up their own takes on Zeppelin classics. They seem to be all about the sheer musicianship.  and with Paul Sinclair and his impressive vocals they are a must see for any fan of good rock music.
     

For the fans of the Beatles:
Never saw Paul Mcartney on his solo tour? Well fear not there is a chance to still hear songs like "Hey Jude," "Come Together" and other hits by the Fab Four live. Much like Zeppelin there is not one but two chances to come as close to seeing the Beatles as will ever be possible.

  • The first band is 1964: the Tribute tomorrow night June 18 at 8pm at Rams Head Onstage. in Annapolis, MD. 1964 keeps living up to their reputation as "the number one Beatles Tribute show" according to Rolling Stone. They keep selling out shows and were even pollstar's top 200 grossing concerts list in 2004. Focusing on the pre-fame period of the Beatles mainly when the British Invasion took hold around the time of the famed Ed Sullivan Show appearance. 1964 really does manage to capture the sound of the band especially with songs like “Eight Days A Week.” To hear clips click the band's name above and be ready to marvel at how amazingly dead on the band is.
     
  • The second band is RAIN: A Beatles Tribute, this Friday June 19 and Saturday June 20 starting at 8PM at Wolftrap in Vienna, VA Playing everything from Abbey Road to Sergeant Pepper and everything before and after too, they are a full-on theatrical extravaganza.  The band who is comprised of diehard Beatles fans openly admit to feverishly studying every note and sound in all Beatles songs so they don't imitate they recreate. Complete with the outfits and note by note perfection of performing the songs, RAIN is for anyone who wants to see all the Beatles many images in a 2 ½ fun filled hours.
     

For the fans of Bob Dylan:
For Bob Dylan fans the next event is for you and offers not one but many chances to hear the music legend's songs reinterpreted. Night of 1000 Dylans, takes place this Friday June 19 at 7:30 at the Creative Alliance in  Baltimore. This isn't actually a tribute band per se but musicians from all around Baltimore and DC offering up their own versions of Dylan classics. Put on by the Creative Alliance  this event will feature Sonia (of Disappear Fear), Anne Watts (of Boister), June Star, Little Pink, Red Sammy and Mark Brine. Journalist/songwriter Geoffrey Himes is  hosting. Each artist offers up their own sure to be talked about rendition of Dylan's impressive musical catalog. The tickets if bought in advance are $12 and are $15 if bought the day of. But what really sets this event apart is in the spirit of Dylan himself the money raised goes to a charitable cause: the American Friends Service Committee and Roots Cafe.
 

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