Bar bands make the cut with covers

Dun-dun-dun-DUH-dun. Dun-dun-dun-DUH-dun.

Ahh-ahh-AHHHHHH-AH! Ahh-ahh-AHHHHHH-AH!

No, I didn’t fall asleep with my head on the keyboard. That’s my impression of a band successfully covering Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.”

Now, here’s my impression of a band covering Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” – badly.

WEEEEEE-oooooo! WEEEEEE-oooooo!

Which is the sound of police sirens, because a bad attempt at Led Zep sounds like the band is trying to kill everyone at the bar.

But that’s not to say that every cover band out there is murdering the classics – in fact, a good chunk of them are both professional and highly talented. You know them: those bar bands who have honed their skills over years spent traveling from Fort Kent to Kittery, playing in every pub, pool hall, nightclub and dive bar with a PA system. Here are some of what I think are the best cover bands Maine has to offer.

One band with a vocalist who’s anything but screechy is Sister Sadie. Their long-haired, hip-shakin’ lead singer is Sara Williams, who busts out covers of everything from Aretha Franklin to Janis Joplin, the latter of whom Williams must have spent a lot of time singing along to, as she captures her raspy, powerful vocal pyrotechnics like she’s been doing it all her life. Sister Sadie plays classic rock and R&B covers, and the five-piece can be seen all over the state, including June 30 and July 1 at Carolina’s Sports and Spirits in Bangor.

Another band where the spotlight falls squarely on the lead singer is the 151, a Hallowell-based four piece with coolest-person-in-the-room Kenya Hall as a front woman who makes singing classics by Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige and Marvin Gaye look like the easiest thing in the world. But it’s not just her: guitarist Joel Amsden, Bryan Luciano on drums and Luke Sturtevant on bass provide solid, precise backup for their smooth lead singer. They are set to play tonight at the Thirsty Whale and again at Carmen Verandah on June 24, both in Bar Harbor. For more information, check out www.myspace.com/onefiveonetheband.

For a grittier take on funk and soul, check out River Bottom Funk, featuring Kenya Hall’s brother, Nigel. When he’s not playing covers of Jimi Hendrix, Rick James and the Temptations with bassist Roderick Pinkney, drummer Mike Constantine and guitarist Josh Small, he’s playing his original songs with his own band. But River Bottom Funk (www.riverbottomfunk.com) pays the bills, and it also pays off in the oodles of crowd love the band receives at their regular area gigs, including this weekend at Carolina’s Sports and Spirits, and the following Saturday – the 16th – at the Myrtle Street Tavern in Rockland.

For something a little more concept-heavy, The Awesome have spent the past two years donning legwarmers, off-the-shoulder t-shirts, spandex and skinny ties to transform themselves into the ultimate ’80s cover band. Thought you’d never hear “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder again? Looks like you were wrong. The Awesome (www.awesome80sband.com) has been known to venture further north, but currently they can be seen at the Big Easy in Portland on Saturday the 10th, and Bubba’s Sulky Lounge in Portland on Saturday, June 17.

Did you know there’s a regionally renowned Elton John tribute band working out of Standish, Maine? Nope, I didn’t either. But Yellow Brick Road has the full package: the feather boa. The huge bug sunglasses. Multiple costume changes. And lead singer Gerald Brann not only bears a striking resemblance to Mr. John, but also plays a white baby grand. Yellow Brick Road (www.tributetoeltonjohn.com) will perform tonight at Memory Lane in Standish, and then at a concert on the Kennebec Riverfront in Augusta on Saturday, July 1.

Yellow Brick Road shares guitarist Doug Stackhouse with Wolf Creek, a country and hard rock band that rocks venues from Bucksport to Houlton. Consider a Wolf Creek show the one time that you can yell out “Freebird!” and the band will actually play it, along with favorites from ZZ Top, Garth Brooks and Grand Funk Railroad. Check out their web site, www.wolfcreekrocks.com, for upcoming shows. This weekend, they’re at Crystal Falls in Chelsea from 9 to 11 p.m.

Raena’s Pub in Bangor has live music most nights of the week, and two regulars at the venue – Dakota and Sid’s Kids – have been entertaining crowds in the Bangor area and beyond for years. It’s tasty, tried and true, down n’ dirty classic rock for the masses, and there ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. This weekend, Dakota rules the roost, but call the pub at 941-8805 for future shows.

Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.