Tom Petty Tribute Show

There aren’t many musicians who can run the fan gamut from rocking middle America at the Superbowl to being honored with a tribute show put on by Boston indie bands at a little rock club, but Tom Petty, the man, the myth, the legend, the beard is just that good. You can keep your Springsteens and your Neil Youngs. None of them wrote “American Girl” did they? Didn’t think so. “Refugee”? Game over. We asked the bands performing tonight at the Tom Petty Tribute Show just why it is Petty is so awesome.

What's the occasion for a Tom Petty Tribute show?
Brendan Boogie, Brendan Boogie Band: Tom Petty Tribute Shows are like buying flowers for your lady on a rainy Tuesday afternoon that's not her birthday. There doesn't have to be a reason.

John Blout, Watts: For us it's just an excuse to get a chance to run through some of the finest rock songs ever written.

For a guy who's written so many smoking hits over the years, Petty is still sort of underrated isn't he?

David Mirabella, The Rationales: Yeah, he has so many good songs and so many different eras. It’s easy for casual listeners to focus on the hits, which in themselves are so many and so good, but then there's the album cuts! So much good music.

Boogie: He should at least be mentioned in the same breath as Springsteen, if not Dylan. Right now, he's sort of in Mellencamp Town which sells the man short, in my humble opinion.

What's the verdict on these tribute show type deals? Great fun or kind of weird?
Boogie: They're a blast. Musicians salivate at the thought of pretending to be their rock and roll heroes for a night. It's great fun to have everyone in the audience singing every word to every song. You get all the fun of being in a cover band without having to play "Sweet Home Alabama" for the kajillionth time.

Mirabella: Ask us on Saturday. It’s certainly meant all in good fun and I guess as long as no one actually dresses up like Jeff Lynne or starts doing it on a weekly basis at Kowloon then its all good.


“Refugee” or “American Girl” in a fight to the death on Mount Awesome?

Mirabella: I've always thought that “American Girl” is the perfect song, just amazing energy, lyrics everyone can latch onto…hands down “American Girl.” One of the most feel good songs you'll ever hear.

Boogie: A double disqualification due to outside interference from the killer riff in "Change of Heart."

Blout: “American Girl” would throw itself off of that mountain so “Refugee” would win by forfeit.

Boston Metro