Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

On the Searchers' Official Website, there's a warning concerning a unit called the Silver Searchers, a band which causes confusion, leading uninformed people to believe they are dealing with the "real" Searchers. In a statement, the Searchers make sure that the Silver Searchers neither have or have had anything to do with themselves (the real Searchers).
Does anybody have more information about the SS; whose invention it is, and what their purpose are. Are we talking about a "tribute" band (which is fairly common (e.g. Beatles "cover" bands playing Beatles music)?

Only curious!

Einar

Einar: The Silver Searchers bill themselves as a Searchers' Tribute Band. You can see them here

Peter: Thanks! I would hesitate to say the "lookalike" factor is stunning. But they may sound great! Really, this is an honour to the Searchers' legacy. Only- all their promotion should make it very clear what the Silver Searchers is all about.

Einar (John Blunt lookalike).

I don't think John and Frank would describe them as "an honour to their legacy!" I suspect something a lot less repeatable!

One member of my mailing list contacted the Silver Searchers and for his trouble was sent a complimentary copy of their CD.

He recently said that since he received it, it has hardly been out of his CD player - not because he liked it, but because he couldn't believe how bad it was! This is not from a "hardened" Searchers fan, merely someone who enjoys them alongside many other sixties acts.

Frank asked me to put something up about the SS, because fans were angry that they thought they were seeing the Searchers, whereas they were not. I think they are worried that this group will indirectly get them a bad name from people who have seen the wrong band but might not know it. I don't blame them. It is their livelihood after all.

I'd be interested to know what Mike thinks of the SS. Anyone know?

I find this all a bit baffling, considering the litigation that tokk place regarding Mike Pender's Searchers and The Searchers, I feel certain that Mr McNally's lawyers will have been in touch. We wait with baited breath

He's already consulted them Roy - nothing illegal taking place apparently.

There are a few snippets of the Silver Searchers here. From the MP3 file available online my view is that their instrumentation is passable and their harmonies are acceptable, however, they do not closely resemble the early Searchers or the present Searchers sound to me. In short, they have not closely captured the Searchers' sound with regard to guitar work and vocals. I do think it is nice, however, that they are performing a tribute to The Searchers. It may be that their live performance is better than these snippets which may not be representative of their show overall. I would be interested in others' opinions of this group, including comments with regard to their live performances.

Here is The Silver Searchers' promotional photo. The guy on the left does look a little bit like Frank Allen.

With THE SEARCHERS themselves still being so active (and, of course not forgetting that Mike Pender / Mike Pender's Searchers are out there as well), the U.K. simply does not need a Searchers 'tribute band'.

Speaking of opinions here is another 50 cents worth.There are definitely two schools of thought one being the flattery angle and the other the why bother ?The sound snippets brought a smile to my face which possibly is not the intention of a real heavy tribute band.Continuing on with the thesis the Silver Searchers do have the problem that an honest to goodness tribute band tends to function after the demise of the original band or solo artist in the manner of say an Elvis ,Orbison,Rain ,Abba ,well I won't go on.So if you are not an honest to goodness tribute band what's left?Are the Silver Searchers any better or worse than a band parading around with none of the original members in the manner of some of those MoTown vocal acts which I won't mention,fraud in rockland so to speak.I agree that the UK might be a bit crowded but there is always....you name the country.

This act in my view are deliberatly trying to "cash in on a name". I am not really interested if they are even achieving the sound, or not and it may well be the case that they are competent musicians, but by using Searchers in their name they are trying to make a link, however tenuous, that they have in some way a connection to The Searchers of the sixties. Why not be a tribute band but call themselves The Memories or something like that. I'm still amazed that they can use the name legally, as Gary points out, when there was such a lot of litigation with Mike Pender.

How about Roy Clough's Searchers( on second thoughts better not!!!

Roy: Do you plan to reunite Roy Clough's Searchers? I have always enjoyed the very early photo of you and the group. Do you still have your old bass?

Very good Peter!

Incidentally, the Silver Searchers don't only do Searchers songs, in fact from what I can gather, their act consists of covering almost every merseybeat era act.

Even more perplexing that they should give themselves that name. How about The Rusty Remo Four?

It occurs to me that the Silver Searchers have become much more famous than they ever were since June 4th when the forum first broke the story.If we go on there is a risk that they will get to be even more famous.I not saying the Silver Searchers should be stamped out,just on this web site though!

David

Your point is valid, but it was The Searchers themselves who by posting a "Warning" on the official website brought the exsistence of this band to everyone's attention. Provided they are billed as The Silver Searchers I do not think any "Avids" would think it was the genuine article,to steal a phrase from T-Shirts worn by some at gigs which state Mike Penders Searchers - The Genuine Article.

But you are right David let's bring this to a close and return to discussing "The Real Thing" although as I have already stated that opens a different debate.