Fake Angine de Poitrine Touring Russia Blurs Line Between Tribute and Deception

A fake version of the cult Canadian duo Angine de Poitrine is currently touring Russia, with footage of the imposters appearing on social media. The real band, known for their polka-dot plague doctor masks and double-necked guitar, has become wildly popular despite their unclassifiable sound. The imposters use a single-necked guitar and are less skilled, but Russian audiences seem not to notice or care. The article by Patrick Stokes, a philosopher at Deakin University, explores the ethics of tribute bands versus outright deception, noting that tribute bands like The Australian Pink Floyd Show have sold millions of tickets. Stokes draws parallels to the Ship of Theseus paradox, citing bands like Black Flag and Little River Band, where line-up changes raise questions of identity. He also discusses how streaming algorithms encourage imitation, as noted in a 2018 review of Greta van Fleet, and suggests that Angine de Poitrine's originality subverts this trend. The fake tour highlights the challenges of authenticity in an era where Western acts find it difficult to tour Russia.