Playing in a Foo Fighters Tribute Band

Getting to step on stage and play one of your favourite bands songs is a great feeling, when I saw the ad looking for a guitarist to join I almost didn't apply because it was a very old ad, I thought to myself they surely have filled that by now. I came back an hour later to the ad and sent a lengthy email telling them how I'd love to try out and sent some of my socials which contains videos of me playing.

I was shocked when the reply came the same day asking for a call, I got on the phone and ended up talking for over an hour. They were looking to form a tribute, full look-a-like, same equipment as the actual Foo Fighters, gigging anywhere and everywhere. I had never gigged before, but I knew I wanted to try. I was told to learn 5 specific songs and come audition.

Excitement returned for music

I couldn't wait to go to the audition, after work every day I was practicing like a maniac, I just wanted it to go well. I hadn't felt excitement like that before when it came to music, I had been in a band before with two friends but we mainly just spent years in the rehearsal room playing the same 6 songs we had wrote. This felt different, like it could result in being on an actual stage.

When I got to the audition, it turned out they were also auditioning a new bassist so at least I wasn't on my own. It went well and we started to talk about the potential future of the band, plans to gig in all the big spots in Belfast and across the island of Ireland. This was all very exciting to me, exactly what I was wanting to hear. Some of the guys in the band were very experienced musicians that have played everywhere including large festivals. They were also extremely talented at what they do, which I love, if you want to get better surround yourself with better people etc...

Our first gig booked

We got our first gig in The Ballyhackamore Club in Belfast, sure a small stage, but we packed that room. I remember absolutely bricking it in the hours up to stage time. Looking out of the backstage area and seeing the full room with drinks standing talking, watching the stage. I have never sweated that much in my entire life. Second thoughts creeping in, but this was what I wanted. First time performing at the ripe age of 33, but we were going to do what we had rehearsed for months. I knew these songs now like the back of my hand.

Times Like These: Ireland's #1 Foo Fighters Tribute

That's what it felt like to me, was it rough around the edges? Sure. Did we almost blow the entire sound system and the crowd's ear drums? Sure. But we absolutely smashed it, people cheered for the encore, chanted for us, sang every word. I couldn't believe it went so well, I was already calling us the greatest tribute around. It was truly an amazing experience, and since then we have played bigger venues like the Empire, Mandella Hall, Deers Head etc, and supported some other tributes along the way. Anyway this is a long winded way to say we have a show coming up this August