Interview by Kris Peters
One can question the existence of tribute bands on the musical landscape, but there is no denying the impact they have had on music in general over the last five years in particular.
They provide an affordable option for fans to hear the music of their favourite bands - and often at places and venues that the actual band cannot or will not visit.
Once the whole stigma of a band playing someone else's music can be cast aside the equation becomes much simpler, but love them or hate them, tribute bands are a growing outlet for live events.
And one of the best currently doing the rounds is Chop Suey, the worlds biggest System Of A Down Tribute, also known as the UK All Star Tribute To System Of A Down.
Featuring the undeniable talents of Martin Jackson (vocals, Confyde), Sam Totman (bass, Dragonforce), Tommy Hunt (guitar, Anti-Nowhere League) and Andre Joyzi (drums, Breed 77), Chop Suey certainly has the pedigree for success, but, more importantly, they have the attitude and drive to elevate the band from one of a large number of tribute acts to one of the best.
After completing a successful run of shows last year, Chop Suey have ramped things up in 2023, already announcing two large scale tours with another set to be announced n the coming weeks. The shows will see Chop Suey play everywhere from larger cities and venues to more out of the way areas, with the focus on not only sharing their love of the music from System Of A Down, but doing so in a way that allows more of their own personalities and abilities shine through than most tribute acts allow.
HEAVY caught up with all four band members to find out the ins and outs of being in a tribute band, starting with what to expect from a Chop Suey performance.
"Just a real high energy show," Jackson promised. "A proper party basically. Just full bore, making sure everyone's having a good time, interacting with the crowd, doing all the cool stuff like opening up the wall of death and getting people to bounce and sing along. It's meant to be one great big party and a real ebb and flow of all the different music that System Of A Down does."
The majority of tribute bands go to great lengths to emulate the band they are representing, dressing to play the part and studying various band members movements and mannerisms, but according to Chop Suey they operate in almost opposite fashion.
"I think it's mostly our own show to be honest" Joyzi measured. "I remember seeing System Of A Down when I was young and they were young - around 2004 - and it was an incredible show. The energy they had matched the songs and it was just a full energy show. It was amazing. Sadly, I don't think System Of A Down deliver the same energy any more for whatever reason but it seems that the energy side of it seems to have been neglected by the real band itself. We're younger (laughs), and we like the music and we like playing live. We have fun and people can see that and feel that on stage. Obviously, I work with Dragonforce as does Sam, and from that we have bigger ideas for production for a proper, entertaining show. That's why when Sam came in he helped a lot. It's nothing to do with a real System Of A Down show. We really do our own thing. We play the songs our own way. Martin is an incredible singer and he stays loyal as much as possible to System Of A Down but what we do, is do it our own way, which is a bit more metal to be honest."
In the full interview we talk more about the live show, putting their own spin on things and how it works, breaking the stigma attached to tribute bands, choosing the set list, both upcoming tours and the yet to be announced one, their vision for Chop Suey, what the members get out of playing in a tribute band they might not in their original outfits, the formation of Chop Suey and why, future plans and more.