Most cover bands pretty much suck, in my humble opinion. Usually it is four guys and maybe a chick scantily clad for eye-candy appeal playing Top 40 and overplayed rock tunes from the ’80s. Musically, they are OK, but the vocals, riffs and solos lack passion, and you know that they gave up on their dreams to create and are now just playing for the money.

No so with The Beatniks.

With an arsenal of songs from the early to late ’60s, the band pays homage to the decade with covers from the Doors, the Stones and CCR with an enthusiasm that is contagiously fun. Being a huge Beatles fan myself, I am always critical of anyone who attempts to tackle their songs, but the Beatniks carry out such complex compositions as ““Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”” and “A Day in the Life” with flawless precision. But that’s just half their act as the band also wails on ’70s classics such as “Whole Lotta Love” and “Rock And Roll All Nite,” as well as ’80s ditties like “Blister in the Sun.”



[Jazzbones, Friday, June 8, 9 p.m., $12-$15, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]