Beatles, Stones, Tom Petty tribute bands playing on Long Island this weekend
The 70s Rock Parade will pay tribute to the rock music of the 1970s at The Lodge in Riverhead on Feb. 24.
Two Englishmen, Mark Sidney Johnson and Will Haywood Smith, found themselves in a dead-end office job in New York City during 2018.
“We quit on Day One because we were not inspired by it,” says Johnson, who felt they were hired for their accents to help communicate with British banking clients. “It was pretty miserable.”
On the subway ride home, the duo came up with an idea to tap into their musical talents. “We thought rather than having our Britishness exploited, why don’t we exploit it for ourselves by starting a British rock band,” he adds.
Right there, The Brit Pack was born. The band tributes British rock and pop legends like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Kinks. Just don’t expect them to dress the part.
“We don’t wear costumes or prosthetic noses to try to look like anybody in particular,” says Johnson. “However, we strive for authenticity to the original records, but we also put our own twist on it while taking you on a journey.”
Tribute bands are a staple on Long Island throughout clubs, bars and theaters. Here are three to catch this weekend.
THE BRIT PACK: TRIBUTE TO BRITISH ROCK AND POP
118 E. Main St., Riverhead
The Brit Pack will pay tribute to British rock and pop music at The Suffolk in Riverhead on Feb. 23.
Their set list focuses on hits from classic rock acts like Queen, Elton John, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and The Who as well as New Wave bands like The Police, Generation X, The Cure, Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode.
“Our singer Matt Nakoa is able to cover a wide variety of material,” says Johnson. “You’ll get the rasp of Robert Plant as well as the full operatic voice of Freddie Mercury plus the crazy high range of Sting.”
The 90-minute set packs 30 songs into every show.
Johnson adds, “We have a vast pool of songs that we pull from and change it up every night to keep things fresh.”
The 70s Rock Parade will pay tribute to the rock music of the 1970s at The Lodge in Riverhead on Feb. 24.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at The Suffolk
COST $45-$59
MORE INFO 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org
EVEN THE LOSERS: TRIBUTE TO TOM PETTY
370 New York Ave., Huntington
When Tom Petty died in 2017, guitarist/singer Brian Byrne, who grew up in Locust Valley, decided to honor the late singer/songwriter’s catalog by forming a tribute band, Even the Losers, named after Petty’s 1979 hit song.
Even the Losers, a tribute to Tom Petty, comes to the Paramount in Huntington on Feb. 24. Credit: Steph Augello
“We were looking to have some fun with the material. Petty’s songs are easy to lean into,” says Byrne. “He made well-crafted pop songs. I love the simplicity of them.”
Byrne shares singing duties with bandmate P.J. Tepe, of Huntington. However, neither dresses up like Petty.
“P.J. handles the earlier stuff to the mid-'80s. Then I take everything afterward,” says Byrne. “As Tom got older, his catalog got more subdued and he sang more calmly. That’s where my voice sounds better.”
Expect to hear everything from “American Girl,” “Don’t Do Me Like That” and “Free Fallin’ ” to “Into the Great Wide Open,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and “You Don’t Know How It Feels.”
“Our set is comprised of his real bangers,” says Byrne. “Being in that space with Petty’s music is therapeutic. It just makes you feel good.”
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at The Paramount
COST $28.75-$82.60
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
70s ROCK PARADE: TRIBUTE TO ROCK OF THE 1970s
51 Madison St., Riverhead
Picture an evening of rock music focused on one decade — the 1970s, that’s the premise of '70s Rock Parade. Two 75-minute sets will take you from 1970 to 1979.
“The show is geared to be loud and exciting,” says drummer Stephen Stewart, of Bayport. “We are a true rock band that plays music with a lot of energy. It’s entertaining from beginning to end.”
The 40-song set list flows like a mixtape of classic rock FM staples such as Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May,” “Show Me the Way” by Peter Frampton, Electric Light Orchestra’s “Do Ya,” “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney, Steve Miller Band’s “Jet Airliner,” “Magic Carpet Ride” by Steppenwolf, Grand Funk Railroad’s “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Fox on the Run” by Sweet, Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “All Right Now” by Free. There’s also some crowd participation involved.
“We have songs like Three Dog Night’s ‘Joy to the World’ where we stop and let the audience sing the chorus,” says Stewart. “Literally, everyone joins in. The '70s songs had hooks. You could sing to them all.”
WHEN | WHERE 7 p.m., Feb. 24 at Riverhead Moose Lodge #1742
COST $15-$35
MORE INFO 631-727-6667, riverheadmooselodge.com
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
