Open Mic Tribute Shows?

they seem potentially more fun/less depressing than polished tribute acts. just a bunch of moderately talented folks getting drunk and butchering old favorites. there was a Cars/Rolling Stones night here recently that my brother and I really wanted to get in on, but no dice.

A Big Black tribute night.

oh damn, and apparently there's going to be a Pretenders tribute night in a couple week...that might be even better than a Cars tribute...

Oh, these are very fun. I've performed solo at a Stereolab open mic tribute (there's a rhythm setting on my keyboard that is absolutely perfect for "Cybele's Reverie") and with my band at a Belle & Sebastian one. It's great because it's a form of fandom that is more interactive than merely going to a show. You end up meeting and talking to the other participants ("That's my favorite song of theirs, too!") and sometimes you get to sit in on other people's songs (My band's violinist was very much in demand at the B&S tribute). Unfortunately, Reckless Records in Chicago says it's not doing these anymore because last time people got drunk and busted the provided equipment. :(

do i bring my own amp + mic for the sampler?

As in "should you" or "are you supposed to"? I'd check with the venue, I guess.

of course, I will, but I mean... are people going to be bringing all their gear to shred? This is not a Belle and Sebastian tribute, yes?