Category: Band News

Britpop musician Andy Starkey recorded and shot this Laid James Cover Version video for his 90’s tribute band Britpop Reunion. To hire a live Britpop cover band then book the UK’s only professional band ‘Britpop Reunion’. Contact Andy to also hire a professional nineties cover band for a party or festival. Enjoy our James Laid cover song below and ask yourself if any other Brit pop tribute band have bothered (Or could even begin to know how) to produce anything of this magnitude. (The answer’s “No” by the way).

Laid James Cover Version Video

With this James Laid song Andy worked on the idea of the band trying to keep the audio as close to the original recording as possible. Therefore Britpop Reunion faithfully replicated every guitar lick, bass note, exact drum pattern and keyboard part. Andy then also went on to direct and star in this self produced music video for James Laid cover version. It was filmed on the abandoned train track at Lichfield Staffordshire on the South Staffordshire Line. Is the video below not loading? Then why not view it on our 90’s YouTube channel. Imagine the effort this kind of audio and video takes to faithfully reproduce. It took many, many weeks to record, mix, film and edit.

James tribute band?

Britpop Reunion also perform a number of songs by James the band. So perhaps you could even call us a James Tribute Band of sorts. We also perform Sit Down (released numerous times by the band) and from time to time occasionally perform She’s A Star from Whiplash released 1997.

Laid was released November 1993 from the album of the same name ‘Laid’ peaking at number 25 in the UK charts. But it gained the band huge success in the USA on college radio also being featured towards the end of the nineties in the film ‘American Pie’. Can you believe that there are three official videos by the band for this song? Laid Album (Produced by Brian Eno) also features the singles Sometimes and Say Something / Jam J. The album sounds as Fresh As A Daisy today as when it was released in the 1990’s. The song Laid by James is a very easy to master featuring only three different chords played as:

Chords for Laid by James

C – Csus4 – G – F – G

Lyrics for Laid by James.

Verse 1
This bed is on fire with passionate love,
The neighbours complain about the noises above,
But she only comes when she’s on top.

Verse 2
My therapist said not to see you no more,
She said you’re like a disease without any cure,
She said I’m so obsessed that I’m becoming a bore, oh no,
Ah, you think you’re so pretty.

Chorus
E-e-ee

Bridge
Caught your hand inside the till, Slammed your fingers in the door,
Fought with kitchen knives and skewers,
Dressed me up in women’s clothes, Messed around with gender roles,
Line my eyes and call me pretty.

Chorus
E-e-ee

Verse 3
Moved out of the house so you moved next door
I locked you out, you cut a hole in the wall
I found you sleeping next to me, I thought I was alone
You’re driving me crazy, When are you coming home?

Laid, Laid

Chorus
E-e-ee

Laid James Cover Song – List of James musicians who recorded Laid were:

• Tim Booth – Lead Vocals
• Saul Davies – Violin & Guitar
• Larry Gott – Guitar
• Mark Hunter- Keyboards
• Jim Glennie – Bass Guitar
• David Baynton-Power – drums
• James Mike – Drums

Who sang Laid?

Laid was sang by Tim Booth by the band James.

Who wrote Laid?

Laid was written by Tim Booth, Larry Gott and also Jim Glennie for the Manchester band James. As with a number of James albums it was produced by Brian Eno.  Did you know there is also a “Clean radio edit” of Laid by James too? The lyrics “She only comes when she’s on top” are changed to “She only SINGS when she’s on top”. 

What is Laid about?

The song Laid by James tells the story of a couple who annoy the neighbours with their loud love making. Tim Booth sings about the domestic violence between the two and their hatred of each. But (As with most relationships) it turns out the couple can’t actually live with, or without each other. Maybe this was set in mid 90’s Moss Side, Manchester? If not there then where do you think possibly?

James also continue to tour live in 2022 and 2023 for their 16th studio album “All the Colours of You”. 

Subtitles for Laid.

Some lovely folks have translated Laid into various different languages for us including Portuguese, German, Mexican Spanish and English of course. So hopefully you’ll be able to sing along in your preferred language too. If you’d like to add a language to our cover song then please contact Andy and he’ll add them onto the video.

Other musings about the band called James cover song.

Tim Booth (Full name Timothy John Booth born 4th February 1960) portrayed the minor villain character Victor Zsasz in Batman Begins – The first Christopher Nolan directed reboot Batman film in 2005.

‘Britpop Reunion‘ are a British 90s band like no other. No honestly we really are, just look over our website and you’ll soon see why. An amazing sounding band utilising the best of period instruments and amplifiers with the latest in sound reinforcement. Britpop Reunion dress exactly like a nineties band and perform with the swagger of a nineties band. We’ve got the 90’s perfected to the absolute minuscule degree for your live event. Head back to the 1990’s with us performing mega chart hits by Oasis, Blur, The Mavericks, The Verve, Pulp, Britney Spears, James, Supergrass and more from our 90’s tribute band repertoire. You can book ‘Britpop Reunion‘ for your wedding band, birthday party band, corporate event band, festival band and more. Hire a band throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Contact band leader Andy Starkey as soon as possible to check on price and availability for your event. We look forward to hearing from you.

Book a British 90s band who can prove why they’re worth booking.

We spend a lot of our time producing high end quality live videos of our performances. There is no other British 90’s band or Britpop tribute band out there doing what we do. A crummy “shot on a phone video with trashy audio”  is simply not good enough to ask you to part with your hard earned cash. All of our 1990’s band videos are professionally shot with high end cameras taking audio from our state of the art digital mixing desk. What you see and hear is exactly what we’re like live. Why settle for anything less?

As well as our amazing high energy performances you’ll get to see clients and guests reactions too. As far as Britpop musician Andy Starkey & his Britpop band are concerned thats what really counts. That YOU LOT are enjoying yourselves. It’s not about us at all, it’s all about you and your guests. Entertaining you every second of our perfromance is our number one priority as is your satisfaction.

Nineties Band Wedding Video

90’s themed weddings? We’ve got you covered. We’re experts in weddings. We perform at many, many weddings every single year and have many, many satisfied bride & groom customers. We’ll perform lots of classic indie songs by Britpop bands as well as fantastic 90’s chart pop music. 90’s band Britpop Reunion are the only professional nineties wedding band in the UK.

90s Birthday Party Video

Having a 90’s themed birthday party? No problemo. Again we do many, many 30th birthdays, 40th birthday parties, 50th birthday party band & 60th parties each year.

Corporate event band Video

Having a corporate dinner awards party, corporate event or conference? Yep, we perform at these too. You don’t always have to book a disco, soul or funk band playing 70’s music. Step forward two decades and book a British 90s band and hear all the best 90’s chart pop songs once again.

Book a Festival band

Of course we perform at festivals too. Festivals are some of the most fun we have on stage ourselves. Andy (Lead singer & bass player) loves whipping festival crowds up in a frenzy. He says “Most of the time I don’t even need to bother singing as the crowd are singing it back to me. I can just jump around enjoying them enjoying us”.

Book Britpop band ‘Britpop Reunion’ all over the UK, Europe and across the World. Or hire a British 90’s Band for a live event. Also contact us over on Facebook and let us know how we can help you with live entertainment.

1990’s Wedding Band ‘Britpop Reunion‘ are the UK’s only professional 90’s wedding band. We’ve been nineteen nineties-ing up clients weddings since our conception in 2014. All the best tunes from The Gallagher Brothers, Damon & Graham, Jarvis, Chesney and more. Don’t Look Back In Anger at your Parklife, just dance like you’re at the indie Disco 2000. This will be The One And Only time you get married and maybe its in a big old Country House. I’m A Believer that everyone at your wedding will not Sit Down, they will most definitely Dance The Night Away to ‘Britpop Reunion‘. Contact band leader Andrew Starkey’s 1990’s tribute band now to check on availability and price for your wedding reception party.

The UK’s only professional 1990’s wedding band

We’ve been performing as a professional 90’s wedding band since 2014 that we’ve amassed a great many videos of us performing live at wedding receptions. A few of our wedding videos are featured below and more are on our videos page. In every single video you’ll see how much brides and grooms like yourself love our live performances. Within these videos you’ll also see guests honest and open reactions too. Proving further that we are the 90’s party band for your very special day. Brides, grooms, guests and the band all smiling at each other, thats what you want at a wedding party. We’re not a moody 90’s band like Nirvana (Over even Oasis to an extent), we’re a fun nineties kind of band like Blur. Your happiness and satisfaction are always our number one priorities and we’ll do everything we can to help make your wedding that little bit more memorable.

Britpop Wedding Vlog

Britpop & 90s Wedding Band

Parklife Wedding Band

What we’ll bring along to your Nineties Themed Wedding.

We are a completely self contained wedding band (For up to approx 150 guests but we can handle any size party). For your wedding we’ll bring along everything thats needed to make your wedding party go off without a hitch. We’ll bring our state of the art PA speaker and lighting. All the bands instruments, backline, microphones, stands and cabling. You won’t need to order in anything else extra when you hire our 90’s function band. Also, we’ll provide you with iPad DJ services throughout your wedding until midnight (Extendable out past midnight for an additional fee).

All these amazing 90’s songs from our repertoire by Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Robbie Williams, James and more plus chart classics from other decades if you like as well. You know you’re onto a winner for all your guests when you book our 1990’s wedding band for your reception party. There’s no other nineties tribute band out there like us. All you need to do is give us a large enough space to perform and some electricity and we’ll handle the rest.

Reviews of ‘Britpop Reunion’ nineteen nineties wedding band.

We’ve never had one dissatisfied client ever, read our reviews they don’t lie. Every single bride & groom have absolutely loved our professional attitudes and blinding live 1990’s performances. View all of our many reviews & testimonials.

90’s Wedding Photos

We’ve performed at so many amazing 90’s themed weddings over the years. Here are just a few of the many fantastic wedding receptions ‘Britpop Reunion’ have performed live at.

St Georges Hall, Liverpool

90’s Festival Themed Wedding

Where Britpop Reunion’ can be hired.

‘Britpop Reunion‘ 90’s wedding band are available to book across the UK and beyond. You can hire a Staffordshire 90’s wedding band or book a Derbyshire 1990’s wedding band. Or hire a Leicestershire nineties wedding band, book live music for a Nottinghamshire nineteen nineties wedding and more. Contact to check on price and availability to book a live band for an event.

Hire a 90s indie tribute band and Britpop Reunion will perform all your favourite nineties tunes by artists like Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Supergrass, The Cure, The Lemonheads, Radiohead and more from our repertoire. Contact band leader Andy Starkey for price and availability for your party, wedding or festival. Lets goto the indie disco again eh, but this time it’s all live music.

Book a 90s Indie Tribute Band for an event

Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer cover by premium 90s tribute band Britpop Reunion live at a sell out ticketed event. Hire a nineties cover band for your event, wedding, birthday, corporate event, party, festival and more. Contact band leader / leader singer / bass player Andy Starkey.  Britpop Reunion have been together over a decade and know how to make any party feel like you’re right back in the 1990s.

Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer cover

This song is still played literally everywhere in the UK. Its in the ether, it’s on the radio, its played in supermarkets, it’s on TV….everywhere. You might not realise it, but your brain realises. That’s what makes it such a catchy song, and that’s why nineties cover band Britpop Reunion perform it live. It is the most perfect song for your first dance at a 90s themed wedding.  There’s quite the story about this song and its worth doing a little digging online if you like to hear about how it all “Happened”.

Lyrics to Kiss Me by Six Pence Non The Richer

Kiss me out of the bearded barley,
Nightly beside the green, green grass
Swing, swing, swing the spinning step,
You wear those shoes and I will wear that dress

Oh-oh kiss me beneath the milky twilight,
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance,
Silver moon’s sparkling
So kiss me

Kiss me down by the broken tree house,
Swing me upon its hanging tire
Bring, bring, bring your flowered hat,
We’ll take the trail marked on your father’s map

Oh-oh kiss me beneath the milky twilight,
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance,
Silver moon’s sparkling
So kiss me

‘Britpop Reunion‘ live performance of Britney Spears ‘Baby One More Time” in our very own rock cover version style. This song was performed as well as another ninety minutes of nineties chart topping songs in front of two thousand plus screaming students at University of Exeter, Penryn Campus.  Back in 2017 Britpop Reunion were hired by the university for their ‘Back to The 90’s’ event.  Consequently we headlined the Saturday night. As you’ll see from the video below the students and faculty all massively enjoyed themselves dancing and crowd surfing along all night to songs by Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Supergrass, and more from our 90’s tribute band repertoire. Contact Britpop artist Andy Starkey to check on price and availability to hire a 90’s cover band for a University event or ball. 

This really was an amazing gig for us with professional 90’s band Britpop Reunion put on an amazing performance. The Top Of The Pops stage dressing really was the icing on the cake for pure 90’s authenticity. Penryn Campus venue had hired in a huge PA system and their own dedicated sound engineer and lighting engineer. 90’s cover band Britpop Reunion were then able to just purely concentrate on performing and entertaining the crowd. We soundcheck, chilled out for a bit and then got changed into our on stage clothing. Then all of a sudden we were walking onto the stage and boy oh boy did we perform well. The whole crowd instantly joined in “Oh Baby baby, how was I supposed to know…”. This really was one of the best gigs of our lives. 

Baby One More Time Rock Cover Version video

Live to 6000+ festival punters at RAF Brizefest, Brize Norton

And then live at a festival to 4000+ festival goers

‘Baby One More Time’ was released by Britney Spears in September 1998 and topped the charts at number one in the UK and in many other countries around the world. It was written by Max Martin also known for the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” (released in 1999). This was Britney’s debut single and instantly made her a household name. Her success continued through the 90’s into the Naughties and still to this very day. Most recently from 2019 onwards she was in the news disputing her conservatorship with her father Jamie Spears. And there was even a hashtag for it #FreeBritney 

Check out the photos from the university event below and afterwards contact for price and availability for a 90’s themed event or University ball. 

From The Poznan style crowd moments made famous during Oasis’s “Cigarettes and Alcohol” to wall-to-wall 90s anthems, Britpop Reunion deliver the full energy of Britpop live on stage. This is a high-impact Britpop and 90s tribute band built to turn audiences into participants and events into unforgettable nights. Contact band leader Andy to enquire on price and availability. 

What is The Poznan Oasis Cigarettes And Alcohol

The Poznan itself began far from the gig arena, originating with supporters of Lech Poznań, a Polish football club whose fans famously turned their backs to the pitch, linked arms, and bounced in unison to celebrate goals. The tradition spread across Europe and was later embraced by English football crowds — most notably Manchester City supporters — before crossing naturally into live music culture. Its adoption by Oasis, especially during moments like “Cigarettes & Alcohol”, felt inevitable: the same unity, defiance, and collective release that defined both football terraces and 90s British live music. Today, The Poznan stands as a symbol of crowd connection — thousands of individuals moving as one — and a perfect expression of the spirit Britpop Reunion bring to every show.

Britpop Reunion celebrate the golden era of British guitar music — when gigs were loud, emotional, and shared. The band recreate the atmosphere that defined the 90s: arms around shoulders, voices raised together, and crowds moving as one. It’s not about copying one band; it’s about capturing the feeling of an era that changed live music culture forever.

The Poznan is used as a reference point for what Britpop Reunion do best — creating moments where the crowd becomes the show. Popularised by Oasis fans during “Cigarettes and Alcohol”, it symbolises everything that made Britpop special: unity, release, and collective joy. 90s party band Britpop Reunion channel that same spirit across their set, encouraging audience participation and delivering moments that people film, share, and talk about long after the night ends.

For promoters, venues, and event organisers, Britpop Reunion offer more than a standard tribute act. Their set is carefully structured to build momentum, combining instantly recognisable Britpop and 90s classics with natural crowd interaction. The result is a packed dance-floor, a loud singalong, and a room that feels alive from the first song to the final chorus.

This makes Britpop Reunion ideal for:

• Live music venues and club nights
• Festivals and outdoor stages
• Corporate parties and brand activations
• University events and student unions
• Private celebrations, birthdays, and reunions

What makes Britpop Reunion special

The band understand that great live music is about atmosphere as much as sound. Every performance is delivered with professionalism, confidence, and an instinctive understanding of how Britpop crowds respond. Whether it’s a tight indoor venue or a large festival field, Britpop Reunion know how to scale their performance and keep audiences fully engaged.

Booking Britpop Reunion means booking music that works across generations. Original Britpop fans relive the nights that defined their youth, while younger audiences experience the power of 90s live culture for the first time. It’s nostalgic, energetic, and proven to connect.

If you’re looking to book a band that delivers Britpop and 90s live energy, complete with iconic crowd moments like The Poznan, Britpop Reunion are ready to bring it to your stage.

Enquire now and make your event one to remember.

The UK’s best 90s tribute band perform Weather With You by Crowded House Cover prior to going on stage at one of our ticketed events. Released in February 1992 this often forgotten classic 90s tune reached number 7 in the UK charts. It is still heard today all over the world in supermarkets and on TV commercials. Hire Britpop Reunion for your event, party, wedding, birthday party, festival or ticketed event by contacting band leader Andy Starkey. 

Weather With You by Crowded House Cover

Watch as Britpop Reunion show our attention to detail perfectly replicating vocal harmonies and guitar parts in our cover of this classic crowd favourite Crowded House cover. 

Cover of Weather With You by Crowded House

Taken from the bands 3rd album ‘Woodface’ which also featured the classic nineties singles Chocolate Cake, It’s Only Natural, Fall at Your Feet and Four Seasons in One Day.

I, Andy Starkey, lead singer/bass player of Britpop Reunion do make the odd appearance from time to time on radio, podcasts and TV but it was very interesting to be called up the BBC to give my thoughts on tribute bands. I was also asked for my opinion on how ABBA are set to sue ABBA Mania tribute band for the BBC Radio 4 Today Program with Nick Robinson. The best thing about this was that I also got to discuss these topics with famous Britpop Pulp drummer Nick Banks. I’m a huge Pulp fan so this was a great fun for me. The interview was done live on BBC Radio 2 on 8th December 2021. 

You can watch a “Fonejacker’ style video I produced to go along with the program below. (It took me 11 long hours to create this video by the way). Now that’s some serious effort don’t you think? Before we get into the ins and outs of it all though if you want to hire a Britpop tribute band then contact me to hire Britpop Reunion for your next live event. 

Tribute Bands BBC Radio show featuring Britpop Pulp drummer Nick Banks.

Being a member of a 90’s tribute band I of course had more thoughts on the matter so thought I’d take the time to write them up below…..

I was called up by a researcher from BBC Radio 4 The Today Program and asked if I wouldn’t mind being interviewed the following morning on the show. The researcher stated that we’d be discussing tribute bands with Nick Banks from Pulp so how could I say no being a massive Pulp fan? 

Even though the researcher was looking for a Pulp Tribute Band she still thought it was a great idea to speak to myself about tribute bands in general. I explained that we’re not officially a ‘Tribute to Pulp” but we do play a number of their songs including Common People (A superb encore song) and Disco 2000. On occasion I will don my brown Jarvis Cocker suit for live performances which I purchased from a charity shop back in the mid 90’s.  Britpop Reunion are a tribute to a music scene in the 90’s based around lad culture and indie pop music. Therefore we perform music by artists such as Oasis, Blur, Supergrass, James and other famous Brit pop bands. We also play music by other 90’s artists like Alanis Morissette, Britney Spears, The Rembrandts, Robbie Williams and more.

Tribute bands verses the original band.

It’s worth noting that during the interview I had no idea that they would be comparing Britpop Reunion’s LIVE version of ‘Common People‘ against the actual STUDIO version by Pulp. I think it sounded pretty decent though, don’t you? What other Britpop tribute band have had their songs directly compared to the originals on national radio like this?

Suing tribute bands

I had to look up the subject matter “ABBA to sue tribute band ABBA Mania” as I hadn’t heard about it.  I am slightly in two minds about Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad suing the tribute band called ABBA Mania. The main issue seems to be that the tribute group had been using the term “Official” in their blurbs. Which for me is pushing it a little too far. Wording it like this makes it sound as if it’s an endorsement from the ABBA band members themselves. When this is clearly not the case.

But having since been contacted by a member of ABBA Mania he tells me the only reason they use the term “Official” is in relation to their own tribute band, NOT ABBA. It seems that other ABBA tributes have turned up calling themselves the exact same tribute band name ‘ABBA Mania’ trying to win work of the back of “The Original ABBA Mania” name. Thus an imitation of imitation of imitation has been created. Very bizarre eh.

Defending Tribute Bands

In defence of ABBA Mania, they have been together since the late 90’s. So why have ABBA chosen to take this legal action only now and not 21 years ago? Does it have something to do with the fact that after 41 years of NOT touring live themselves they have suddenly come up with this ridiculous and very expensive “Virtual” “Hologram” tour and feel it will impact their own ticket sales? Surely not right? When bands stop touring live, break up, quit or even members die it’s tribute bands that keep the legacy and music of the band alive. Tribute acts can keep solid interest in bands over many, many decades as shown by all the Beatles and Rolling Stones tributes out there.

There are probably as many ABBA tribute bands on the scene as there are Oasis tributes and Queen tributes. If ABBA have decided to take this kind of action then are all other tributes to various artists up for the chop next? To an extent I say good on ABBA Mania for sticking to their guns. All these articles online really are some fantastic promo for this ABBA tribute. As they say “No publicity is bad publicity”. I bet their agents phone is ringing off the hook now with theatres trying to book them.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

The cynical side of me just thinks this is probably designed to get ABBA back in the news again. It’s the PR machine there to freely advertise help sell tickets for their ridiculous virtual live show. There’s also a good chance it’s probably just some lawyer who has contacted ABBAs lawyer and said “I can do this for you” and they’ve just run with it. 

To quote Oscar Wilde ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can play to greatness’. So surely this applies here? Of course he never stated whether retribution should be received for “Copying” someone else’s work though did he.

Not the first instance of an original band suing a tribute band.

It is not the first time ABBA lawyers have been on the prowl and it won’t be the last either. I personally know someone who played in an ABBA tribute who were forced to change their name and even had their Facebook page completely removed. She is now in a completely different theatre touring ABBA tribute so I hope they are not plagued by this sort of thing any time soon.

Buying tickets for and seeing a tribute band live.

No person buying a ticket to see a tribute act thinks they are seeing the real band/group. Most of the time no intellectual property is being stolen by a tribute band performing music and dressing up like a successful original band. No one is being fooled into buying tickets. Who on earth would think they are going to see “The Real Beatles”? Nearly 60 years after they stopped touring AND still dressed in Shea Stadium outfits?

Buying tickets to see a tribute band is not like going to see “Dodgy Dave” on the market stall selling counterfeit goods like Fred Perry and Adidas Originals.  You’re not being fooled into paying only £15 for something that usually retails at £60.

Tribute bands are an opportunity to see your favourite bands you missed out on. Either because you were too young at the time or just because life got in the way. There’s also a good chance you just couldn’t afford the “Real Thing”. Sure you COULD go and see Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr (If you sold a kidney). But you’re not really seeing “The Beatles” are you. When punters go and see tribute bands like “The Bootleg Beatles” or “Britpop Reunion” it’s the next best thing. And all at a very reasonable price too.

Who is earning money by tribute bands performing at theatres?

I’m sure that 99.99999% of none musical folks out there don’t even realise that when a tribute act plays a theatre they have to list every artists and song they play. The venue then takes a cut from the bands pay which gets paid to the actual original artists as royalties. So tribute bands like ABBA, Elvis, Michael Jackson, Queen , Tina Turner, Oasis etc must be raking it in while sitting comfortably on their bums at home.

Theatres employ a large amount of staff and revenue is generated for the venue not just from ticket sales. But also sales from food, drink and a percentage cut of the merchandise being sold. All of which are taxable and go back into the economy.

Tribute band “Endorsements”

Unfortunately fake endorsements are rife in the tribute industry (Except for ‘Britpop Reunion’) with claims of musicians being:

• The Number One Tribute to Britpop
• The UK’s Best Tribute to Britpop
• The UK’s Premiere Britpop Tribute Band

Of course though, none of these claims can ever be backed up with evidence. What do these statements even mean? WHO has decided these bands are ‘Number One/The Best’ etc? It’s usually just someone in the band giving themselves that monocle. Maybe they have been ‘Voted’ that endorsement by some ‘Industry Awards’? Ha!!!!! Industry awards are an utter scam and mean absolutely nothing. You pay to be entered into a category. Then you pay to attend the awards ceremony. Afterwards you pay for your award. Ergo YOU BUY THE AWARD. In some cases it’s even more ridiculous when an artist states they are “The Best tribute to Oasis”. Yet they’re just a one man show singing along to karaoke tracks.

A funny story about tribute bands and more legal action.

‘The Karpets’ are a tribute to the late 80’s/Early 90’s indie band ‘Inspiral Carpets’ . Nowadays this tribute band actually features the original singer of Inspiral Carpets ‘Tom Hingley’ fronting the tribute band. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of another similar case to this in musical history.

Recently 90’s grunge artists ‘Pearl Jam’ threatened to sue a tribute to them and made them change their band name. Looking back at their website and social media this was no doubt due to the tribute band being stupid. They had used the original artists logo and graphics from their single ‘Alive’. But, again in this tribute bands defence, Pearl Jam actually encouraged their fans to Bootleg (Record the audio from) their live performances. Of which Pearl Jam have sold nearly 14 million copies of various shows from across the world. So them threatening legal action really doesn’t sit well with me either. Considering Pearl Jam make money from these recordings.

In conclusion I firmly believe that tribute bands have the right to exist. They have the right to make money and in turn have the right to make money for the original artists. I really enjoyed my time speaking live on the radio and you can hire me speak about similar things and Britpop/The 90’s in general too. To hire a 90’s tribute band contact Britpop Reunion.

A little information on Nick Banks from Pulp.

Nick Banks was the drummer in Britpop band Pulp from 1986 until the band split up in 2002. He then joined them once again for the Pulp reunion from 2011 to 2013. He is still drumming in a few bands around his home town of Sheffield. Also he runs the family pottery business.