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Paul Higginson—Liam, OASISH
Paul: I initially got started almost seventeen years ago when I started a Stereophonics tribute act. I was in a local covers band, doing it for a bit of fun. We didn't see it as a job back then. We covered a few 'Phonics songs, and people kept commenting on how much I sounded like Kelly Jones. Tribute bands were becoming big business then, so we decided to try and jump on the bandwagon. Gig just followed gig, and they started piling up. Obviously, we became Oasish somewhere along the line. So, six months later, the gigs were taking over, and seventeen years on, I'm still out here!Why Oasis? And—if it's because you're a massive fan—can you still stomach listening to them now, after it's become your literal job?
It was in 2002 when I was asked to join my friends Oasis-tribute band on guitar, while him and his drummer would join my Stereophonics tribute. I was beginning to have trouble with my band as there were too many gigs coming in, and the other two guys didn't want to take the plunge and do it "full-time."So I joined this other Oasis tribute, and they joined my tribute band as well. This was only for a year or so, but during that time, we did a few "double-header" gigs, where we would do an hour of each band. These always sold really, really well. So after I left that Oasis tribute, I wanted to start another by myself. That's when Oasish was born, and it's gone from strength to strength ever since.
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Oh yes! There's quite a few other Oasis tributes out there, and we get along with most of them. I've even had two guitarists from another tribute help us out on a couple of gigs, so in the main, it's usually OK. That said, there's all the obvious jealousy. So this year we entered the National Tribute Music Awards to hopefully win the title of the UK's Official No.1 Oasis tribute band as voted by the Agents' Association. We knew there had been a few other bands that had entered it, so we kept it quiet about our entry. We ended up winning.Now we're the only Oasis tribute that can use the words "Official No.1 Oasis tribute in the UK," so that's quite nice.What's the strangest experience you've had? Does it ever feel like you're blurring reality a bit?
I've had a couple really. The first one was going to watch the Stereophonics at the Garage in Islington. On the day I went to watch them, it was a great gig in such a small venue. At the end of the night, when everyone had gone, I was waiting for my girlfriend to come back from the toilet, and Kelly Jones walks out. So I went and said hello and told him that "I'm in a tribute band called Stereotonics," and his reaction surprised me when he turned to me and laughed, "No way! We've been talking about you and listening to you guys today!"
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Sarah CHERRY—Agnetha Faltskog, ABBA ARRIVAL
Sarah: We've been doing this since 1998, or a bloody long time anyway. It's all the same lineup aside from the sound engineer and the guitarist swapping over. Initially we were just a fairly generic functions band, but it got to the point when we realized that we were playing a disproportionate amount of ABBA in our sets.It just took off from there, really. We pride ourselves on our total commitment. Mark (Benny Andersen) has always had a beard, and I keep my hair blond. We always wanted this to be a tribute in the truest sense, paying respect both to the complexity of the music and our audiences.
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Yeah we're mostly full-time, although we all do a few bits and pieces on the side as well. This time of year is obviously mega, mega busy. We all put in a lot of work. Like, a lot of work. Personally, my thing is costumes. I went to London and spent an absolute fortune on the outfits. They are the proper, original fabrics, though. Just like the band would have worn in the 70s.I trained as an actress when I was younger, as well as singing, so I see this as a massive privilege, being able to do what I love and tour around the country gigging. It's amazing. Before this I was a holiday rep, an assistant booker, and a Butlins blue coat. But I see this as following my dream.A couple of the others might get a bit sick of the tunes, but I'm maybe the freak of the group. When we started, we had to do intense sessions in front of these videos. Everyone else hit their limit pretty quickly, but I'll still listen to the CDs in the car.Is there anywhere in the country that you see as "ABBA-centric"? Do you see loads of bookings in any one area, for example?
Umm, not really. We literally head all over the place! Scotland one night, down in the south east. We live in the midlands so it's easy to get anywhere in the country. The touring definitely keeps your feet on the ground. We play a lot of theater shows, as well as the festivals.I just want to stress again. I feel so lucky doing something I love. Not that many people can honestly say that.
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Iain ANGUS—Dave Grohl, FOUR FIGHTERS
Iain: We just played to three thousand people in Germany, then drove back here. Knackered mate. Looking forward to a well deserved rest.That's festival season for you, though. It all culminates with Glastonbudget, the tribute act Glasto. There are thousands of people there. It's a great laugh.We've been doing this thirteen years. I used to—and still do—make my own music, and this sort of started as a bit of a laugh, just me and three other lads who just loved the Foo Fighters. We started off playing in pubs and local venues (we're based over in Bradford/Leeds).I remember picking up a guitar and learning the songs, which made me think, Yeah, I can do this, make a bit of extra income. Christ mate, that was 2003.Do you ever get a bit jaded with it? It must be energy-sucking sometimes, and utterly bizarre at points.
Honestly, nah. It is knackering, of course. And yeah, it can be mad at points. It's like people wanting selfies with me, I always want to make sure they do actually know I'm not Dave. Like, for real. Before selfies, it was autographs. Why would you want my autograph? It's mad. But it's all a total laugh and a real buzz. Playing in front of crowds, entertaining folks who might never get a chance to see a band like the Foo Fighters.We just offer some fun at a fraction of the cost. You can have a sing along and a jump around, it's great. There are honestly no egos in our band. I mean, how can you not keep your feet on the ground? I'm not naming any names, but there are some people on the circuit who have trouble breaking character, and you just want to shake them and say, "Come on, mate!"We do take it seriously, though. Folks have paid money and deserve the best you can give. There are others that take the piss, which isn't on. But ninety percent of people we meet are great.Are there rivalries? A couple of other people I've spoken to mentioned that.
Oh, yeah, I mean gig-snatching and stuff does go on. But we're not really involved in that nonsense. We just keep our heads down and roll with it. I just hope we're being faithful to the original, and I hope normal folk can come and have a good time. Music has always been a massive part of my life. The way I see it this is a great second prize to the real thing.Follow Francisco Garcia on Twitter.