Are Tribute Bands The Way Of The Future? An Insiders View With ANDRE JOYZI From CHOP SUEY

Are Tribute Bands The Way Of The Future? An Insiders View With ANDRE JOYZI From CHOP SUEY

Author: HEAVY Magazine April 10, 2026 Duration: 33:05
If there's one topic sure to divide opinion in the world of music it's tribute bands and the rapid growth of such bands around the globe. Those who support tribute bands argue points such as providing accessible, affordable entertainment, keeping classical music alive and preserving musical history while those opposed argue tribute bands impact artist authenticity by oversaturating venues and reducing opportunities for original bands who play their own music.
That debate has recently spread to social media platforms like Facebook, whose new META algorythm has censored tribute bands and their videos, to the extent of closing down pages dedicated to tribute acts. With two successful international tribute bands in CHOP SUEY and SLIP NOT heading to Australia this May for a run of shows, HEAVY took the opportunity to sit down with the man behind these two bands and one of the world's leading experts on the tribute market, ANDRE JOYZI, to get his perspective on the global tribute band phenomina.  ANDRE JOYZI, to get his perspective on the global tribute band phenomina. 
"Basically, if you don't think with your ego there's nothing wrong with playing in a covers or tribute band," Joyzi began. "When I was 23 I decided I was going to be a professional metal drummer. There was nothing specific like it's going to have to be death metal or It's going to have to be this or that, because there's nothing I love more than playing metal live and the feeling you get from that. I made the early decision that I was going to do both (covers/tribute and originals), because nothing says that you can't".


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Dive straight into the raw, unfiltered conversations happening behind the amplifiers and drum kits. HEAVY Music Interviews, straight from the team at HEAVY Magazine, pulls you backstage and into the green room for genuine talks with the most compelling voices in rock, punk, metal, and the wider heavy music landscape. This isn't about polished press releases; it's where artists open up about the craft of a crushing riff, the stories behind an iconic album, and the realities of life on the road. Each episode delivers a new perspective, whether it's a legendary frontman reflecting on decades of noise or a breakthrough band explaining their explosive sound. You'll hear the passion and personality that fuels the music, directly from the musicians creating it. For anyone who lives for the energy of a heavy track and wants to know the people behind it, this podcast serves as a regular, essential connection. Tune in for authentic discussions that go far beyond the surface, keeping you directly plugged into the heart of the scene.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

HEAVY Music Interviews
Podcast Episodes
Flesh And Blood With JOSH MIDDLETON From SYLOSIS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:02
Sylosis have been hacking away at metal’s enduring coalface for the last 25 years. They exploded into the metal scene with their 2008 debut album Conclusion Of An Age, and have been repeatedly upping the ante for homegro…
Watts The Big Idea? LIME CORDIALE’s Biggest Experiment Yet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:50
Interview by Ali WilliamsSome bands talk about changing the world. Others actually try to rewire the power source. When HEAVY’s Ali Williams caught up with Lime Cordiale’s Ollie Leimbach, he was literally on the floor, c…
NOTHING: Confronting Decay And Chasing the Uncomfortable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:47
Interview by Angela CroudaceIn conversation with Dominic (Nicky) Palermo, the driving force behind Nothing, it’s clear that A Short History of Decay isn’t just another chapter for the long-running shoegaze outfit, it’s a…
Unburdening The Truth With DAVID SIMONICH From SIGNS OF THE SWARM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:24
American deathcore outfit Signs of the Swarm are widely regarded as deathcore's most ferocious bands.After recently completing a sold out US tour to celebrate ten years as a band, Signs Of The Swarm have now set their si…
ELECTRIC SIX Refined And Ready To Ignite Australia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:30
Interview by Angela CroudaceElectric Six are heading back to Australia, and according to frontman Dick Valentine, there’s “no reason not to do it.” Big, profitable shows, short flights between cities and a guaranteed goo…
Burning Up With DAN MARSALA From STORY OF THE YEAR [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:20
U.S rock/metal outfit Story Of The Year exploded onto the scene with their groundbreaking debut Page Avenue, one of the first albums of its kind to sell over a million copies.The breakout single “Until the Day I Die” qui…