Field Music have come up with an ingenious solution to the parlous financial state of the music biz – they’ve become a Doors tribute band.

It’s always sad to read about a well known band that can’t make ends meet despite a fervent fan base and regular albums and gigs.

After 20 years and 10 albums – and a Mercury Music Prize nomination in 2012 – Sunderland band Field Music have come up with an ingenious solution to their dire financial situation,

They’ve turned themselves into an occasional Doors tribute band.

The group has started to play one gig a month as The Fire Doors, performing a set of Doors covers with David Brewis in the role of Jim Morrison – leather trousers and all – alongside his brother Peter and Futureheads drummer Dave Hyde.

What began as an experimental side hustle, launched almost in secret last summer on their Facebook page, has taken off rapidly, with the band booked up until the end of next summer. 

David later explained to a confused fan: “Why are we doing this? Making a living from making our own music has become increasingly difficult. We need other income streams. We have a lot of musical skill. We love The Doors. We became musicians by learning how to play this stuff when we were kids.”

In today’s musical landscape, many venues are more inclined to book a tribute act than a band playing their own material – even a band as well established as Field Music – because they are guaranteed to draw a crowd.

“Lots of venues put on tribute acts,” added Brewis. “Lots of people go to see tribute acts. We think that we could be really, really bloody good at doing this one. By doing maybe one show a month we can fill a hole in our dire finances.”

Their move highlights just how the music industry has been impacted by the streaming revolution, where fans who might have spent a tenner on a CD 30 years ago now stream the same music online, from which the artists earn a fraction of a penny every time.

Apparently the band had previously discussed playing as a different tribute group, The AC/BGs, playing one set of AC/DC songs in the style of disco-era Bee Gees – and another of Bee Gees songs in the style of the Aussie hard rockers.

Brewis insists he has no embarrassment – and why should he? – but is “devoting a chunk of time to music that I love” and “playing it with people I love.” And, hopefully, for people who love that music.

Field Music fans need have no fear that they might abandon their own music for their more lucrative new project; they celebrate their 20th anniversary with a headline tour this summer.

I’m certainly impressed with their version of Riders On The Storm.