something similar happened with the band New Order (formally Joy Division) the Bass player, Peter Hook, left the band (or was booted depending on your pov) and he now considers them a tribute band.
Lindsey is simply too important a figure in their sound and production to causally replace.
I felt this way back when Vito etc. joined, and then Lindsey voluntarily left, which gave me much more sympathy in hopes for their success in his absence. It was not to be. Sorry, they sucked.
Tribute Band for this current lineup sounds about right.
I feel disdain for how Stevie has behaved for years when Linds tried to get them to record. Sometimes Stevie, you have to suffer for your art
It's not going to be all unicorns and rainbows.