l.wright
(Redditch)
Thursday 17 Sep 2026, 11:34pm
I’m putting together a new 80s hard rock / hair metal tribute project based around the West Midlands, and I’m looking for musicians who are as interested in putting on a proper show as they are in just playing the songs.
The idea isn’t to be another generic 80s covers band. The band would have a fictional identity and backstory: a British rock band who disappeared after a night on the Sunset Strip in 1988 and somehow reappeared in 2026, still looking, dressing and behaving like it’s the late 80s.
The music itself would be played completely seriously and to a high standard; the comedy/theatrical side would come through the characters, stage banter, visuals and fictional history.
Think somewhere between a full-scale arena-rock tribute show and a fictional 80s band that happens to play songs by the likes of:
Van Halen
Mötley Crüe
Poison
Def Leppard
Bon Jovi
Guns N’ Roses
Ratt
Whitesnake
Skid Row
Dokken
Aerosmith
Alice Cooper
Europe
Journey
Scorpions
Cinderella
etc.
Current plan is a six-piece:
* Lead vocalist
* Lead guitarist / backing vocals
* Rhythm guitarist / backing vocals – me
* Bass / backing vocals
* Keys / synths / backing vocals
* Drums / backing vocals ideally
Strong backing vocals will be a big part of the sound, so vocal ability is a major advantage for every role.
The first goal would be to build a really strong 30–45 minute set, get the harmonies, transitions, stagecraft and characters absolutely nailed, then shoot proper promo material and start approaching tribute venues, festivals, agencies and event bookers.
Longer-term, I’d like to build several interchangeable 30-minute sets, eventually scaling it into a full theatre-style show with production, lighting, visuals and the fictional band lore woven through it.
This is meant to look and feel like the arena-rock show you wish you’d seen in 1988, not six people in cheap wigs doing tongue-in-cheek covers.
So I’m looking for people who:
* can genuinely play this style well
* are comfortable performing rather than just standing still
* are happy leaning into an onstage character
* understand that image, backing vocals and stage presence matter
* are reliable and interested in building something properly
* are up for big hair, ridiculous clothes, loud guitars and taking the music seriously without taking ourselves too seriously
Age isn’t particularly important, but you need to look convincing within the concept and have the energy for this kind of show.
I’m based around Redditch / Birmingham / Warwickshire, so ideally looking for people within sensible travelling distance of the West Midlands.
I’ve played guitar for around 17 years, have previous gigging/original-band experience, and have also handled social media, promotion and live-show planning before. I’ll be playing rhythm guitar, singing backing vocals and potentially taking occasional lead vocals.
Gear-wise, I’m already set up for this sort of thing with a Jackson superstrat and Quad Cortex, and I’m happy to put serious time into getting the production side right as the project grows.
If this sounds like your kind of ridiculous idea, send me a message with:
* what you play
* vocal ability if applicable
* rough location
* gigging experience
* a bit about yourself
* any video/audio you have
Most importantly: you need to actually love this music.
This should be fun, loud, theatrical and absolutely shameless.