By Jessica Dionne for Curtains Up (@maccajess)
Does anyone ever really remember learning the lyrics to Beatles songs? To me, it’s always felt as though once you’ve allowed the music of the Beatles to infiltrate your body, mind and soul it’s like a Dropbox file filled with all the lyrics is carefully placed into your brain and suddenly you find yourself being able to sing along to any song, and more so, you can imitate – to perfection – the weird noises during the interlude of Yellow Submarine. I’ll admit it; I’m guilty of that.
I was eight years old when I found myself hearing my first-ever Beatles song Ticket to Ride. I stopped what I was doing to listen and from that moment on I was hooked. Later on that week I asked my father to buy me a guitar and with a mix of watching Paul McCartney play guitar – his left-handedness acting as a mirror to my right-handedness– and serious lessons I taught myself how to play. Seventeen years later, here we are.
The popularity of the Beatles over the past 50 years has resulted in the sprouting of thousands of tribute bands, but when it comes to Canada, Replay are the ultimate in tribute bands. Seeing them live is an unforgettable experience that causes your mind to play tricks on you – have you been transported back in time? Are these guys the real deal?
Adding a few of their own personal touches to the songs, Replay are truly a class-act; a tribute band that every Beatles fan needs to rock out to. Covering the early years with songs like I Want To Hold Your Hand and Eight Days A Week to the later stuff such as All You Need Is Love and Hey Jude, the musical journey is incredible.
After one of their recent Montreal shows at the Leonardo Da Vinci centre in St-Leonard , I caught up with John Oriettas who portrays Paul – and looks like him to a t– to chat about the inspiration behind Replay.
When did you start as a band?
‘Replay officially started in 2002 and the same four guys have been together ever since – much longer than the real Beatles!’
What made you want to become a Beatles tribute band?
‘The four of us grew up being influenced by the Beatles, and they were by far the biggest band in our time, so it was natural to be listening to their music and playing it as young teenagers. And because we loved it so much, when the time came later on to start a band, a Beatles tribute was just the natural thing to do.’
Guitar players all over remember the first Beatles song they learned how to play. Most are simple – especially in the Beatles’ early years due to the simplicity of the chord progression – but they get increasingly difficult as time goes on. I learned the hard way when I taught myself how to play Blackbird.
What was the first Beatles song you learned how to play?
‘Mine was Get Back … I remember learning it when I was in Grade 6.’
With the immense catalogue of songs to choose from, the most difficult part of being a tribute band is deciding the set list as John carefully pointed out during our chat. The challenging part is making sure to include the fan favourites as well as a few lesser-known songs in order to appeal to fans of all ages and fandom levels.
What’s the one song that’s not in your set list that you might want to add someday?
‘We’ve been talking about adding ‘Hey Bulldog’ in the not too distant future…’
As I mentioned above, John’s portrayal of Paul left me mesmerized. He has studied – as have the rest of the band members – iconic Beatles traits and infiltrated them within their performance in in order to deliver one of the most authentic tribute shows I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. For someone like me whose love of the Beatles –and especially Paul McCartney – is unparalleled, John is undeniably just as much of a super fan as I am.
So I had to ask the burning question.
If you met Paul McCartney, what would you say to him?
‘Well, after I regain consciousness – and assuming that I can speak – I’d probably just say thank you for changing my life with his music… And then I’d ask him if he wanted to go for lunch and a pint of beer!’
For a truly authentic Beatles experience that will make you get up out of your seat and dance, do yourself a favour and make it out to one of Replay’s shows for an unforgettable night of timeless music.
For everything Replay related, head to www.replaythebeatles.com or follow them on Twitter and Instagram @replaybeatles.
