Jeff Pilson of Foreigner expressed strong views on the use of backing tracks in live performances. Pilson suggests that performing live without backing tracks should be a standard for bands, as it represents authenticity in music. He believes this authenticity has contributed to Foreigner’s success over the last 20 years.
In an appearance on The Logan Show, Jeff was asked about his opinion on bands using pre-recorded tracks. He commented:
“And what is my feeling on it? Well, my feeling is I’ve insisted from day one, since I became the musical director of Foreigner, no tracks — absolutely no tracks. And I’m really glad we’ve done that, because I do believe that one of the reasons that Foreigner has been successful is that, yeah, we’re a great band, I’ve gotta say, with an amazing catalog of songs.”
He feels that being real resonates with audiences and is a key reason for Foreigner’s dedicated fan base. He continued:
“But because we’re real, I think people pick up on that. And that’s why we’ve continued to grow over the last 20 years, and I really feel that’s a lot of it. We have dedicated fans and a lot of times they’ll say, ‘Man, the fact that you guys go up there and do it for real, that’s what’s great.’ So I think there is a market for it. I think it’s a benchmark that bands should shoot for, and I hope they do.”
Sebastian Bach Called Them ‘Tape Bands’
The use of backing tracks and technology in live music performances has become a hot topic, dividing opinions within the industry. Bands are increasingly leaning towards these tools for a more polished and consistent sound.
Sebastian Bach is definitely not a fan of this trend. Bach believes such ‘tape bands’ will be exposed for lacking authenticity. He foresees a future where bands overly dependent on pre-recorded tracks will be exposed and criticized for their lack of genuine musicianship, while true musicians, who play live and with heart, create a more profound impact. In 2021, Bach told Ultimate Classic Rock:
“I don’t see a lot of bands coming up that are going to replace (old-school rock stars) because too many of them rely on tapes, and that’s not gonna last the test of time. There’s gonna be a time when those tape bands are gonna have to do it for real, and people are gonna go, ‘This is a fucking joke.’ And I just know that real musicians hit your heart way more hard than guys miming to a tape.”
With a more traditional point of view, Bach often stated that pre-recorded sounds have no place in live performances.
Zach Myers Advocates Backing Track
It would be unfair to assume that every band that uses a backing track needs it. Some say backing tracks are about delivering the best sound possible, not a reflection of their musical capability. One of those who think so is Zach Myers of Shinedown. He questions why the use of such tools is a matter of concern. He told Rock Feed in 2020 that ’90 percent’ of rock artists use at least some pre-recorded tracks during their live performances. Discussing Shinedown’s approach, Zach Myers shared his perspective:
“And that’s the thing: it bothers me that it bothers people. I’m, like, ‘Why does this bother you?’ It’s the way it is. People have been doing this since the ’80s. And we want the sound to be the best it can be. Could we go up there, just the four of us, and put on the best rock show ever? Of course. But that’s not how we wanna do it.”
You can watch Zach’s full interview with Rock Feed below.
