Hank Azaria fronts a Bruce Springsteen covers band; Michael Shannon leads an R.E.M. tribute

Hank Azaria and Michael Shannon, both best known as actors, have been performing as frontmen for tribute bands: Azaria leads the EZ Street Band, a Bruce Springsteen cover act, and Shannon sings R.E.M. with a band led by guitarist Jason Narducy. They met recently in Azaria’s Upper West Side apartment, where they talked over coffee with Azaria’s terrier mix, Truman, between them.

Azaria, who is known for his vocal work on The Simpsons, has spent the last year fine-tuning a Springsteen rasp and often tells personal anecdotes in Springsteen’s voice. He said his mimicry grew from “hero worship,” that the project began as a way to cheer himself up when he turned 60, and that proceeds from his performances go to his foundation, 4 Through 9.

He recalled being so nervous before his first show that he “threw up from nerves.” Shannon, an Oscar-nominated actor, has been performing R.E.M. material with Narducy and other indie-rock players, attempting to recreate each album’s sound. Narducy said, “The whole band is just blown away by how hard he works at this.” The project began in 2023 with Murmur (1983), and, the article says, starting Feb.

11 the group will tour Lifes Rich Pageant (1986). Members of R.E.M., including Michael Stipe and Mike Mills, have at times joined them onstage; Shannon said the experience has been serious and obsessive rather than a casual sideline. The two described different approaches to performing their idols.

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