A controversial statement but this isn’t just about me refusing to spend hours on an online ticket website; being too mean to pay huge ticket prices; queuing for hours in a massive stadium; standing ‘miles’ away from the stage or getting irritated by ‘johnny come lately super-fans’. Anyway, these (mostly) mega-rich musicians don’t actually ‘need’ my money.

I think this is also about me being deeply unfashionable and proud of it. Going to see a tribute band brings me a lot of joy, mostly because they ‘try harder’. Let me explain…

You are number 51,594 in the queue! The point at which you realise that ‘you are NOT going to see the Oasis reunion gig in Cardiff…’

I have no intention of going to see the Oasis reunion, but I got caught up in the kerfuffle. Unsolicited screen shots of ‘position in the queue’ were sent to me until it became obvious – “you ain’t going son…”.

At this point I offered some ‘sage dad advice’. “Well, why don’t you put the money to better use? Go and see a tribute band, I love tribute bands, they always try harder.”

I’ll file that in the top draw of the ‘you know where you can stick your rubbish advice’ cabinet.

There are many reasons I love a tribute band. This could be an extensive list. I may add to it over time, but here goes…

• They try harder. I’ll pick up on this later. But there is a lot to be said for being ‘second place’. Where you can’t just sit back and bask in your glory.
• Quality. Often tribute bands have excellent musicians. This might be a risky sweeping statement but… if you are there for just your musical skill, not the ‘name’, it can make a difference.
• Access. They are easier to get to see. Tonyrefail Constitutional Club used to host some epic tribute bands. A highly accessible place (if you lived locally) but now sadly demolished.
• Cost (and benefit). Cheaper to see, cheaper to organise and the money circulates more locally.
• Recombinant Innovation. I’m using that phrase because Paul Stepczak used it this morning. Basically it’s mixing things up to create something new. I’m my view the finest band in this space is Hayseed Dixie. They play bluegrass versions of AC/DC songs. I’ve seen both live, and would choose Hayseed Dixie every time.
• Sheer craziness. The local pub has an open mike night most Thursdays. One individual occasionally takes us through their favourite 1970’s prog-rock songs. He couldn’t look anything less like Gene Simmons from KISS – yet – when he thrashes through a KISS tribute, it’s the best night ever.

We are Number Two. We Try Harder. This was the famous Avis Car Hire advertising slogan created in 1963. It boosted the companies fortunes and still features in what they do 60 years later.

The story goes that Avis had for many years held ‘second place’ to Hertz Car Rental, who had a much bigger market share.

An advertising company helped them take advantage of that ‘second place’ by saying ‘we try harder’. It was an inspired piece of advertising, implying higher standards of customer service which people could relate to. It did boost sales, though not to the point where they overtook Hertz.

There’s an explanation of the history and current status of ‘We Try Harder’ on the Avis Website. However, if you fancy more than the corporate spin, have a look at this on the CarRentalBasics.com website. We’re Number Two. We Try Harder: The Little-Known Story Behind Avis’s Iconic Slogan. Obviously, I was going to direct you to something beyond the mainstream. What the article does include are some interesting links to the history of advertising at the time and how it changed so much.

Finally. I was commenting on a post from Paul Taylor earlier about how Imitation Breeds Mediocrity. I agree with what Paul is saying about the act of ‘copying’ and standardisation in the business world. Yes, it does stifle difference, creativity and innovation.

However, when it comes to some tribute bands, I think it actually helps. Perhaps I should extend Paul an invite to a Thursday open mike night in the local pub?

So, What’s the PONT?

• Copying, imitation and standardisation can be problematic. It can lead to mediocrity and a lack of ownership, creativity and innovation.
• Solutions are often ‘sold’ as Silver Bullets. But they have a lifecycle and ultimately you are better off doing your ‘own thing’.
• However, I’m all for Tribute Bands. Cheaper, more accessible, definitely more fun and quite often more creative. I see your ‘recombinant innovation’ Paul Stepczak.

Picture Source: WordPress AI generated. Not as much fun as open mike night in the local pub.