Hammer of the Tribute Gods: Get the Led Out Rocks Tahoe

A few weeks ago, my wife and I traveled to Stateline and South Lake Taho, a snow-kissed resort town straddling the California-Nevada border. We weren’t here for the slopes, though. We came for something just as towering—Get the Led Out, a Led Zeppelin tribute band renowned for channeling the rock ‘n’ roll thunder of the original gods of rock.

The show was set for Harrah’s Casino, in the intimate South Shore Room where Frank Sinatra once sang. The state-of-the-art venue had their 750 seats all filled and was well-equipped with a sound system designed for clarity, balance, and that perfect, chest-thumping resonance. The crowd was electric, but the moment the lights dimmed, an energy shifted. For those of us who missed Zeppelin in their heyday, Get the Led Out promised to deliver the next best thing.

And boy, did they.

The band opened with a ferocious rendition of “Immigrant Song,” complete with the primal howl that signaled we were in for something special. The Viking war cry reverberated off the walls, giving the room that unmistakable feeling of being pulled into an era long past, yet timeless. By the second number, “Good Times Bad Times,” the crowd was in the palm of their hands, singing, swaying, and stamping their feet.

More about their set later.

What sets GTLO apart from the sea of Zeppelin tributes isn’t just their musicianship—though they have that in spades—but their ability to capture the spirit of Zeppelin’s performances without falling into mere imitation. This is no costume-clad homage; it’s a resurrection of the sound, the texture, and the joy.

The Band: Brothers of Rock

At the heart of this sonic powerhouse is Paul Sinclair, the enigmatic maestro and lead singer who channels Robert Plant’s ethereal voice with a soulfulness that few can muster. His ability to reach those stratospheric highs Plant was famous for, and deliver them with precision, is astounding. From “Ramble On” to “Kashmir,” Sinclair leads you through the enchanted realms of Zeppelin’s world like a Pied Piper with a microphone, while his stage presence is magnetic without ever feeling forced. Bonus points for Paul’s exceptional mic technique.

Meanwhile, Paul Hammond, co-founder and fellow guitarist, is the dependable workhorse and, in many ways, the wise Gandalf of the Get the Led Out fellowship. Like the grey-bearded wizard guiding his band of heroes, Hammond is the music co-director, quietly orchestrating every move with a wisdom that only comes from years of experience. His intimate knowledge of Zeppelin’s vast catalog allows him to play any track flawlessly, as if he could summon the perfect riff in his sleep.

On guitar, Tommy Zamp channels the spirit of Jimmy Page with a deft hand. Much like Page, Zamp can shift from delicate fingerpicking to unleashing a torrent of riffs with ease. The “Stairway to Heaven” solo—a moment that can make or break any Zeppelin tribute band—was nothing short of transcendent. Zamp played it note for note, with an authenticity that felt almost supernatural, a perfect tribute to Page’s most famous conversation with the divine. Be sure to check out Zamp’s YouTube channel for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of GTLO.

But it’s Ed Kurrick who might just be the band’s secret weapon. A multi-instrumentalist, Kurrick hops between keys, guitars, harmonica, and even drums, sometimes doubling Sinclair’s vocals with a precision that lends Zeppelin’s already powerful catalog an extra edge. His versatility adds layers to the band’s sound, recreating the intricate nuances that producer Jimmy Page once layered into the studio recordings.

Behind it all is Derek Smith, the drummer who channels John Bonham’s primal energy. When Smith takes the stage for “Moby Dick,” complete with a full-fledged solo using sticks, hands, and sometimes four sticks at once, it’s clear he’s mastered the art of controlled chaos. Bonham’s spirit hovers over every snare hit and cymbal crash. You don’t just hear Smith’s drums; you feel them.

New to the band, bassist Seth Chrisman has brought a steady, grounded energy to Get the Led Out. Initially shy, Chrisman has been slowly coming out of his shell, and it’s clear that he’s beginning to enjoy himself more on stage. His confidence is growing with each performance, and by the time “Whole Lotta Love” thunders through the speakers, he’s fully locked in, delivering those crucial strummed octave bass lines with precision and heart.

A Set for the Ages

The set list was a masterstroke. While any band can rattle off the hits, GTLO digs deeper, pulling out underappreciated gems like “Dancing Days,” “Hots On For Nowhere” and “Trampled Underfoot.” Fans come for the essentials—“Stairway,” “Kashmir,” “Whole Lotta Love”—but it’s the deep cuts that keep them coming back. With GTLO, you never quite know what you’re going to get, and that’s part of the charm. Rumor has it, that Sinclair sends out the finalized set list just four days in advance, keeping both the band and the audience on their toes.

Sinclair and the boys always make sure to include an acoustic respite from the thunderous rock. Their “unplugged” set always opens with the wistful classic “Going to California” and two other well-known tracks. This time it was followed by “Tangerine” and the rare Zep B-side “Hey Hey What Can I Do.”

The real secret sauce? Their understanding of what Jimmy Page famously called “light and shade.” From the ethereal opening chords of “Stairway” to the bombastic wall of sound that closes out “Misty Mountain Hop” or “Bring It On Home,” GTLO masters dynamics in a way few bands can. They build tension and release it with the precision of a symphony conductor, creating moments of quiet before unleashing Zeppelin’s raw power.

A Show for the Fans

Throughout the evening, the atmosphere was electric, not just from the band but from the crowd itself. Get the Led Out has cultivated a die-hard following—fans that mirror the Deadheads who once followed the Grateful Dead across the country. They call themselves “Repeat Offenders,” and their dedication is palpable. One fan shared how they threw an after-party for the band at Red Rocks following a milestone performance in Colorado. These aren’t just casual fans; they’re devotees.

By the time the final notes of “Stairway to Heaven” rang out, the entire room felt as though we had been part of something bigger than just a concert. We had experienced a communion with the music, with each other, and with the enduring legacy of Led Zeppelin.

Conclusion

As the night went on, it was clear that the band wasn’t just delivering a performance—they were truly enjoying themselves. There’s an infectious joy that spreads from the stage to the crowd and back again, creating a feedback loop of energy. It’s a mutual exchange, a shared love for the music that elevates the concert into something more than a tribute—it becomes a celebration.

If I had to choose one word to define Get the Led Out experience, it would be intensity. They bring Led Zeppelin’s rich catalog to life with unmatched power and explosive passion. No words, images, or videos can truly capture the force of their performance. To understand the raw energy they deliver, you simply have to experience it live.

Get the Led Out isn’t just a tribute band—they’re torchbearers for a timeless sound that continues to captivate audiences. They remind us why Zeppelin’s music, after all these years, still holds the power to blow minds and rock worlds.

–Wolfshead