Do you think it's time to start a MAN tribute band?

[Rob W]

I think we've discussed the merits or otherwise of tribute bands on these message aoards a number of times.

IMO, and as is often the case, there are two sides to  the story. On the one hand, they are taking the places of up and coming young bands who have their own music. On the other hand, I have heard promoters confirm that the tribute bands keep the small venues open as without them, the young bands would have nowhere to play!
Yes there are tribute bands out to make the quick buck, but there are tribute bands who genuinely play for the love of the music.
And in these difficult times, are tribute bands providing employment to seriously talented musicians who for one reason or another, are not in an 'originals' band? Or supplementing income? They have a right to earn a living.
Out and out condemnation of tribute bands, could be seen as offending some people very close to our hearts!!

Regarding Man tribute bands. I don't think it takes an Einstein to realise that a Man tribute band as such will not be commercially viable.

I don't know the setlist of Will's Misfits other than Keep On Crinting, but I presume it's that Man era music plus Alkies & Neutrons perhaps? I hope so, cos I'd travel miles and miles to see that. As one off performances, I'm sure they'd do fine. I wouldn't call what they are doing a tribute band, though.

I thought some time ago, George had said his and Bob's band were not going to be called Son Of Man. I feel it is a good name in its own right. I would not like George and Bob to be performing solely or even mainly Man songs as their setlist. They should be cracking on with original material, with the occasional nod to Man songs George wrote, if they want.

And lastly, I cannot believe I disagree with the mighty Heron, but sorry Allan, I don't think you can compare the Beethoven's, Mozarts etc with  this. They were not 'a band'. They composed music to be played by anyone who wanted to. IMO obviously   

 

[Gavin Crumpton]

I think what George said, following an initial announcement to the contrary was that his and Bob's band would not be called "Man". And rightly so. Although he probably had a legal, if not a moral right, to do so because there is (at least in the absence of an agreed contract dictating otherwise) nothing that gives one band member the right to sack another.

If you dont want to work with your band mates (lol) any more, strictly speaking your only option is to leave the band. But I guess its often down more to what the bands fans will or wont accept rather than who does or doesnt have a legal right to take the name . And I guess in a strange way that makes rock music a lot more dignified than many other professions. (although I'm not sure there was much dignified about the Manband split !)

[William Rait]

I think we've discussed the merits or otherwise of tribute bands on these message aoards a number of times.

IMO, and as is often the case, there are two sides to  the story. On the one hand, they are taking the places of up and coming young bands who have their own music. On the other hand, I have heard promoters confirm that the tribute bands keep the small venues open as without them, the young bands would have nowhere to play!
Yes there are tribute bands out to make the quick buck, but there are tribute bands who genuinely play for the love of the music.
And in these difficult times, are tribute bands providing employment to seriously talented musicians who for one reason or another, are not in an 'originals' band? Or supplementing income? They have a right to earn a living.
Out and out condemnation of tribute bands, could be seen as offending some people very close to our hearts!!

Regarding Man tribute bands. I don't think it takes an Einstein to realise that a Man tribute band as such will not be commercially viable.

I don't know the setlist of Will's Misfits other than Keep On Crinting, but I presume it's that Man era music plus Alkies & Neutrons perhaps? I hope so, cos I'd travel miles and miles to see that. As one off performances, I'm sure they'd do fine. I wouldn't call what they are doing a tribute band, though.

I thought some time ago, George had said his and Bob's band were not going to be called Son Of Man. I feel it is a good name in its own right. I would not like George and Bob to be performing solely or even mainly Man songs as their setlist. They should be cracking on with original material, with the occasional nod to Man songs George wrote, if they want.

And lastly, I cannot believe I disagree with the mighty Heron, but sorry Allan, I don't think you can compare the Beethoven's, Mozarts etc with  this. They were not 'a band'. They composed music to be played by anyone who wanted to. IMO obviously   

 

yup  That about says it all- applaud added

[Rob W]

Thank you Uncle Bill. I presume you're either p*ss*d, stoned, or a combination of the two But I don't care, I'll take it.   



Gav, I know you'll be plenty more aware than me, but I honestly thought George had said the band will not be called 'Son of Man'.  Of course I'll probably be wrong, although if Uncle Bill is still p*ss*d, stoned, or a combination of the two, he may agree with me      

[William Rait]

Thank you Uncle Bill. I presume you're either p*ss*d, stoned, or a combination of the two But I don't care, I'll take it.   



Gav, I know you'll be plenty more aware than me, but I honestly thought George had said the band will not be called 'Son of Man'.  Of course I'll probably be wrong, although if Uncle Bill is still p*ss*d, stoned, or a combination of the two, he may agree with me      

Not anymore Rob, but thanks for the memories have some more applauds

[Michael Heatley]

In the words of Jam Up Jelly Tight...Oh No, Not Again!

[Gavin Crumpton]

In the words of Jam Up Jelly Tight...Oh No, Not Again!

Are you referring to the Man October European tour there Michael?

[Michael Heatley]

So you're calling them Man now? What a mellow fellow

And no I wasn't cos you can't say again if there wasn't a first one!!

[Jules]

I've been mulling this one over.

Reality check, as Gav points out above, says "Don't be daft, there's no money in it." So, commercial aspects aside, who would I prefer to see/hear keeping Man's music alive?

No brainer really. All of them.

My preference is for anyone with an association with the band, or the songs, at any point in the band's life-span to feel free to play whatever, whenever and wherever.

While Man are still treading the boards, however infrequently, I'll still try and see them whenever I can. Clips from C'mon and Spunk Rock shared on Soundcloud recently show that there's life in the old dogs and young guns yet. A clip of George and several Cover Sluts performing C'mon was also great to hear. That arpeggio'd opening to the song always sends a shiver up my spine and I'd be delighted to see more of George's heritage showing up in the sets. Even better if the much mooted project with Bob gets further off the ground. I've not heard much of Will's band apart from Crinting, but what I have has been interesting. If he's doing other numbers too then that's great. Deke's been hiding his light under a bushel too long for my liking, so it'll be good to heckle him from the audience in Leamington at the weekend. Hopefully Man will play Deke as Deke guests with Man.

Josh and James haven't included Man songs in the Ringolevio shows I've seen, but why not? I'd be happy for Josh's Man songs to continue to get a regular airing when the parent band are resting, just as I'd be delighted for a few Neutrons songs to feature in any band Phil's with at the time. I like 'em.

We've been lucky to hear some great songs performed by superb musicians, and regardless of the lack of interest shown by the public at large, for me the legacy will never die. I want to encourage and enable others to hear it, and for the lucky few to get it too. Just like we did.

For a tribute band there's a time and a place. The time is when none of the existing or previous band members want to carry on playing Man's music. The place is wherever there's an audience to listen. 
 

[Pete T]

I've been mulling this one over.

..go on, have a good whine..!!

Now look what you started Joan..

[Gavin Crumpton]

So you're calling them Man now? What a mellow fellow

And no I wasn't cos you can't say again if there wasn't a first one!!

They are Man as Martin Ace sees it isnt that right? As I see it they are Man led by the arseholes that destroyed the band in 2008 and (as predicted) have gone on to drag it in to oblivion. The arseholes who are also oblivious to the fact that the band once had a spirit. (You know the one that was there in spades at the MJ memorial shows).
But never mind if it makes life easier I'm happy to call them Man.

A few questions which you may be able to answer Michael:

1. How many punters are they expecting on Saturday? Its a big old place if the addition of Deke doesnt pull a few punters in?

2. Have Deke, Ace, Ryan and the indie kids actually given the audience the respect and courtesy of rehearsing together for this gig, or are they just going to be winging it as usual?

3. Is Deke's book going to be available on Saturday, because if it is I might just come along to the show and buy one?

4. How on earth can Rob W think I've mellowed?

[Nick Nation]

There's plenty of stuff here that I agree with....it's just calling themselves 'Man' that upsets me so. 

[Rob W]

Gav, it was a sort of tongue in cheek remark as your initial post didn't contain any derogatory remarks about the current 'Man'.

You've certainy put that right.

I think everybody's views are known by everybody else. I don't think there's any use in what started here as an innocent thread, degenerating into yet another slanging match on the message board. We 'fans' should remain a family.

     

[William Rait]

Gav, it was a sort of tongue in cheek remark as your initial post didn't contain any derogatory remarks about the current 'Man'.

You've certainy put that right.

I think everybody's views are known by everybody else. I don't think there's any use in what started here as an innocent thread, degenerating into yet another slanging match on the message board. We 'fans' should remain a family.

  COMPLETELY AGREE- MORE GOOD KARMA COMING YOUR WAY

[Gavin Crumpton]

Gav, it was a sort of tongue in cheek remark as your initial post didn't contain any derogatory remarks about the current 'Man'.

You've certainy put that right.

I think everybody's views are known by everybody else. I don't think there's any use in what started here as an innocent thread, degenerating into yet another slanging match on the message board. We 'fans' should remain a family.

   

With all respect guys, and I've said this before, if you dont talk about your views on the band and what they're doing, theres really very little point in this forum. There isnt much of a Manband family left, Ace and Ryan have seen to that and yes comparisons between us and the Wishbone fanbase are becoming ever more appropriate. This will only change when Ace does the dignified thing and stops using and abusing the Man name.