The Ram-Ons are a tribute to punk rock legends the Ramones. Though the music of the NYC “brudders†may, on the surface, seem simple to replicate, creating a Ramones’ tribute that’s authentic and believable is no easy task.
“Everything that we do is as authentic as we can get it – the costumes and everything,†says guitarist Mark “Johnny†Brandimarte. “We get the look and play as close to the Ramones as we can. We even have a Pinhead [the Ramones’ infamous mascot] that comes out onstage and dances along.â€
When they’re not pulling on those famous leather jackets and chucks, the members of The Ram-Ons play with The Red Shift, a Detroit punk band that feature original work. They only play three-to-four Ram-Ons’ shows each year, but that doesn’t alter the fact that they’ve honed their live set into as close to an account of an actual Ramones’ show as possible.
With the late Joey Ramones’ birthday fast approaching May 17, The Ram-Ons are getting ready to pay their annual tribute. “We’ve done a couple of excellent shows at the 2500 Club,†Brandimarte says. “Probably just over 100 people in there. We do a show on Joey Ramones’ birthday there, which is May 17.â€
By Brett Callwood
Special to Metromix
April 14, 2008
