Cover band brings sass of Aerosmith

It may be the same old song, but kids love it.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Neil Young once proclaimed "Rock'n'roll will never die" on his anthemic song "Hey Hey, My My." Perhaps he was right.
Specifically, the era known as classic rock -- the '60s and '70s -- continues to be a musical epicenter for much of today's youth. Sure teenagers dig their emo, hardcore and nu-metal, but much of their musical edification begins with everything from The Beatles to Zeppelin.
The result is a proliferation of classic rock cover bands, whose audiences are admittedly filled more with kids wanting to experience what their parents -- and grandparents -- witnessed back in the day. Take for instance nationally touring Aerosmith tribute band Draw the Line, which performs its "Same Old Song and Dance" more than 100 times a year.
"Yeah, I notice kids wearing Led Zeppelin shirts, AC/DC shirts and Aerosmith shirts," said Draw the Line singer Neill Byrnes, calling from Boston. "It kind of blows your mind that that's what they're listening to these days."
Confirming this national trend is the entertainment schedule at the upcoming Mahoning Valley Rib Burn-Off, which takes plays tonight through Sunday in Niles. Joining Draw The Line will be other cover bands Moonlight Drive (The Doors), Bad Medicine (Bon Jovi) and Paradise City (Guns N' Roses).
While Aerosmith remains a highly successful recording and touring entity on its own, Draw the Line offers fans the opportunity to hear obscure songs -- such as "Write Me a Letter" and "Reefer Head Woman" -- from the band's past in more intimate surroundings.
It's a career
What began as something to do for fun 15 years ago has become a full-time gig for the members of Draw the Line, which is the only Aerosmith endorsed tribute band.
"Steven [Tyler] has actually come to a show before and he's hung out," Byrnes said. In fact, Aerosmith has actually thrown gigs it didn't want to Draw the Line. This includes an independent movie shoot later this summer in Delaware where the tribute band will perform as Aerosmith.
"It's unbelievable," Byrnes said. "Growing up as a kid you had all of these big bands and it was always like a dream to be a big rock star. This is kind of like living out that dream, that fantasy. And I think when people come to see the show, they get to live out their fantasy of seeing the real band. So they're having a fantasy and I'm having a fantasy at the same time."
Not only does Byrnes perform the role of Tyler, but he actually looks the part right down to those unmistakable pouting lips. One can only imagine that growing up looking like Tyler in the band's hometown city had to have caught the attention of a lady or two.
"I can't say that it hurt," laughed Byrnes.
And now?
"I still can't say that it hurts," Byrnes said. "But I'm married so that's changed."
He quickly added, "But I still get flirted with quite frequently."