Tribute bands returned to the agenda following David Cameron’s Piggate scandal, when political The Smiths tribute band The Iain Duncan Smiths created a version of ‘This Charming Man’ that would make the PM blush. Starting with this lot – here’s a collection of the funniest tribute bands ever.
1. THE IAIN DUNCAN SMITHS
The name mocks the Secretary Of State For Work And Pensions, the music is a satirical take on The Smiths, and they’ve just released ‘This Charming Ham’ in the wake of David Cameron’s alleged Piggate scandal.
2. MINI KISS
A small but perfectly formed version of the glam-rock greats, Mini Kiss formed in 1996 and are still going despite original frontman Joey Fatale dying in 2011.
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3. NO WAY SIS
Noel Gallagher called them “the second best band in the world” in 1996, the same year they scored a Top 40 hit with ‘I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing’.
4. RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS
For those of you who’ve always wished there was more of a traditionally Scottish vibe to ‘Under The Bridge’. These kilted-wonders came to public attention on the Beeb’s When Will I Be Famous? in 2007. Thanks for that, BBC.
5. LEZ ZEPPELIN
An all-female four-piece covering Led Zep classics. “The three surviving members are aware of and seemingly positive about us,” says guitarist Steph Paynes.
6. THE MISFATS
The self-styled “fattest Misfits cover band ever”, the horror-punk copyists celebrate the “fat lifestyle”. “You want ‘I Turned Into A Martian’? We’ll play you ‘I Turned Into A Lardass’,” they say.
7. GABBA
London’s Gabba pay tribute to both Abba and the Ramones by playing the former’s infectiously catchy Swedish pop songs in the style of the glue-huffing NYC street punks. Check out debut album ‘Missile To Malmö’.
8. BEATALLICA
That’ll be Beatles covers in the style of Metallica, then. The Milwaukee group released their third album, ‘Abbey Load’, in 2013. ‘Michelle’ is seamlessly blended with ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’, ‘Blackbird’ with ‘Fade To Black’.
9. BLOBBIE WILLIAMS
This rotund Rob isn’t just ‘the biggest’ Robbie Williams tribute act in the country, he also won Come Dine With Me under his real name Tony James.
10. VAG HALEN
Toronto’s Vag Halen say they’re “females doing misogynist music”. These feminist art-rockers have even appeared at high-end art event, the Venice Biennale.