“It’s nice because people are very genuinely emotional about the music,” Chartier said. Petty died at age 66 in 2017 of an accidental drug overdose. Tribute bands also allow fans to experience the music of musicians they love who are no longer performing or who have passed away, Chartier said. “They are electronic or they are singer-songwriters.” “There’s not a lot of rock bands today,” Hiller said. Tribute bands appeal to people who grew up with rock music but aren’t finding similar bands today, Chartier and Hiller said. “My oldest son likes yacht-rock bands like the Doobie Brothers.” Why do fans like tribute bands? “Kids listen (to) more of what I used to listen to,” Hiller said. He said their audience ranges in age from 35 to 75, though he often sees younger crowds at music festivals. “People really love it,” noting it's 'unbelievable' how popular tribute bands are.

“It’s a great reaction,” Chartier said of their audience. The Breakers continued in the summer of 2020, playing at open-air venues, and are now performing to classic rock lovers all over the country, including at the District Center for the Arts in Taunton. The band was just starting to get a lot of concert gigs all over New England when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Next, they sold out a show at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River. The Breakers debuted in August 2019 in Newport, Rhode Island. He played in bands into his 30s and also became a music teacher. Hiller said he learned guitar at 13, inspired by the Beatles. Real estate report: Second unit in new Taunton duplex on Winthrop St. “The night he did ‘American Girl’ I thought, 'He sounds just like (Petty)'.” “I knew Chris would be really good at it,” said Hiller, who had taught music with Smith in Assonet. “We wanted to approach the tribute genre as a true live band, and in (lead vocalist) Chris Chartier, we have what no one else has - the most genuine-sounding Petty experience in the country,” Smith says in The Breakers’ biography. The Breakers don’t use wigs or costumes for visual effect, but focus on Petty’s music and sound. Taunton resident Tim Dorr is road manager. Tom Booth of Plymouth plays multiple instruments, and Tom Smith plays keyboard. Evan Smith of North Attleboro is on drums. Rick Hiller of Mattapoisett is the bass player. Steve George of Plympton is lead guitarist. Smith’s new tribute to Petty was dubbed The Breakers. “He said we’d do it as honest as we can.” “I said, ‘If it was just play the music as authentic as possible, I’m all in,’” Chartier said. This time, Chartier agreed as long as the band wasn’t planning to dress up and wear wigs.

Some sound for everyone: Inside the quirky, thriving world of tribute bands at Taunton's District Center A year or so later, in 2018, Smith called Chartier again. Smith put together a band but it didn’t last. “I said, 'I love the music, but I’ll pass.'” To me, a tribute band was a something I never wanted to do. “Tom asked if I wanted to be in a tribute band and I laughed,” Chartier said. The Breakers, a Tom Petty tribute band of local musicians, will be performing at the Cape Cod Melody Tent on June 11.

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