Cover bands and the like vs. Original groups

[RyRob813]

I've been in an argument with a schoolmate essentially since we met about this particular issue, and I'm interested to see what other people think...

His stance is that the only thing worth doing is original music, and that many of our teachers who have made a living for 30 plus years doing nothing but playing music, often in church bands, or on recording sessions, or in cover bands, dance bands, ect., are "failed musicians," because they're not quintessential starving artists that refused to do anything but their own music.

I think this is ridiculous. If someone told me, (and many people have,) that I could spend the rest of my life working in pizza kitchens or waiting tables so I could struggle to become a rockstar, or do maybe less "artistically satisfactory" gigs, and support myself, I would be choosing the latter in a heartbeat.

I understand that it could get old after so long of doing it, but so can anything, being a rockstar included. I'm still at the very beginning of my career, but I've played a reasonable amount of cover gigs and whatnot that paid a pretty penny, and saw absolutely no downside: I made my money, entertained a group of people, got to show off a little bit, and did all with my bass my hands. I'm not seeing the issue here!!!

I think my only footnote on this general concept is that there ARE lines to be drawn. There is a certain point where I don't think the cash is worth it...anything that involves me physically or psychologically degrading myself for a gig, i.e. dressing up like mickey or something, is for someone else. Other than that, when are where's the gig?!

What's everyone else's opinion?

Thanks!

[Phalex]

Composers write music.

Musicians play music.

[bobwhite]

In classical music, most players are "cover" players--they cover Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, etc. While new classical music is being written, the line between composers and musicians can be pretty bright, and regardless classical players will always play lots of material written by others. Are they failed musicians?

It's not so much a case of your friend being wrong as being a bit idealistic and perhaps naive--there is room for everyone. Not every player can be a great writer, and not every writer can be a great player. That is why so many studios/labels have had stables of writers to supply their great artists with material, and I suspect lots of artists who supposedly "composed" or "wrote" their hits had a lot of uncredited help.

There is room for everyone, and all talent and hard work should be respected, IMHO.

[amosjones]

Originally Posted by Phalex

Composers write music.

Musicians play music.

+1
Never really thought about it that way before

[becker4567]

Originally Posted by Phalex

Composers write music.

Musicians play music.

+1. Listen to The Beatles first album (Meet The Beatles), about half of it is covers. Ya gotta start somewhere. When your a musician, you play music, whether it's in a cover band, doing commercial jingles, or backing up someone else. In the April issue of Rolling Stone magazine, one of the "40 Reasons To Get Excited About Music" is #18. "Tribute Bands Are Sometimes Better Than The Real Thing!"

[shadow_FIX]

Some people have a gift...they can write fantastic music and play their music. Some people get together with said gifted individual and play their (and maybe some of their own) original music. Some people play everything, and some people might only play covers.

Depends on what you're into, who you meet, what you're good at, etc.

I place myself in the "everything" category, but I don't write much because I'm too much of a perfectionist, so if the idea isn't STELLAR I usually tend to kick it away because I don't think it's good enough. :/ been trying to break from this...I was a music composition major at my university and my teacher brought this to my attention when I would start four different projects and scrap them all.

(I'm a bass performance major now )

[NicJimBass]

This topic surfaces on the local CL almost weekly it seems. There is no way to convince those who see originals as the only true way to do things, but here is my opinion-

When comparing the 2, you have to keep in mind that in reality, it's an apples and oranges kind of comparison. Playing covers is NOT the same as playing originals, even though both involve music and playing an instrument. I've done both, and I can tell you, there are more differences than similarities.

Originals allow you to bare your soul and create music that moves people. it also allows you to be broke most, if not all the time, play shows for your friends (all 10 of them) or to the other bands on the bill with you. You will lose money, time with your family, and you sanity..lol. However, you'll be putting yourself and your music out there for everyone to hear. It's hard, and the payoff, anymore, is near nothing, but some people still feel the need to do so. I would argue that the ultimate goal for most people in original bands is to "make it big"- sign a record contract, get the money, get the girls, etc, which is why I find it so moronic to bash playing covers. Apparently getting that stuff is MUCH better when it's your own music you play .

Now, a cover band, when done right, is more like a business, or a second job. You have an obligation to entertain the clientelle, and the better job you do of it, the better the pay. Here's the secret- nobody playing in cover bands likes the music they're playing, but you know what? They're laughing all the way to the bank because of it. not only that, but they get to be rockstars on the weekends, and a normal person through the week. I get paid to have fun and play music...it's a no brainer!

[shadow_FIX]

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

Here's the secret- nobody playing in cover bands likes the music they're playing, but you know what? They're laughing all the way to the bank because of it. not only that, but they get to be rockstars on the weekends, and a normal person through the week. I get paid to have fun and play music...it's a no brainer!

I agree with everything except this. At least IMO, I wouldn't join and play with a cover band unless I at least SORTA liked the music...otherwise where's the fun in it?

I'm in a good gig when I love the music I'm playing, I'm getting paid for it, and having a blast while doing it. Doesn't matter if it's rock originals, jazz tunes, or covers.

[Tim C.]

Most people who actually have to try to justify that playing originals is a "higher" musical calling than playing covers don't have very good original material.

I mean, if you're any good at creating "original" music, you won't be a starving artist, you'll be making some kind of decent money. Most of these originals guys just can't get it into their heads that they really are not that big a deal with anybody but themselves.

There was a guy on here who was adamant that his originals were more important than anybody else's cover playing, because he was helping to "advance" music, as if that's even possible. He had a nice little link to his band's Myspace... And there was nothing impressive or exciting about them at all.

[Spraeg]

I think it's a matter of playing what you want to play... I personally would prefer to play originals, because 90% of what cover bands are typically asked to play in a bar setting is stuff I don't like. If I'm not into playing the music, if it's music I don't enjoy, then it will show on stage. I'd love to make money by playing music, but I'd rather make money doing something else and play music I enjoy and have some vested interest in than make money playing music I don't like.

[somegeezer]

Over here in the UK, you're more likely to make money with original music... Providing people like it. But cover bands can be just as fun to play in.

[Blueszilla]

Originally Posted by Phalex

Composers write music.

Musicians play music.

This.

IME, most folks who say what your friend says can't hack learning cover material to a listenable degree, so anyone doing it is a 'loser'. As a 'loser', I've made more than my share of cash over the years covering others tunes and I've also written a fair amount of original material. I like my originals, I think they rock, but nobody has paid me to play them like what doing covers has done.

Tell your friend to lighten up. Playing covers widens your range, sharpens the ear, develops chops, and exposes you to 'composers´ better than you. Learn to appreciate the ability of anyone capable of learning/performing covers well. If you can do it well, you gain true insight for crafting your own originals. IMHO, playing music is supposed to be fun, whether it´s your tunes or someone else´s. So go have fun, and bring your friend along.

[pasta4lnch]

I play in an original band. I do write a good half of what we play, and I'm a songwriter by trade. so if I play the other half of our material is that a cover because I didn't write it?

I've always looked at music as a vehicle. I write music because it's fun, it's a good way to channel my emotions and it was a career choice for me.

I play in a band because it's fun and it pays. yeah I prefer an original band (even an original + cover) to an all cover band because i"m more emotionally invested in it, and it has a greater potential for bigger things. but if a cover band is fun and it pays . . . criteria met = me happy

[RyRob813]

Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback! Quite an interesting conversation, and some great ideas here.

I totally agree with the "Composers write, Musicians play" comment- that's genius. There are possibly millions of composers out there that have no interest, (or crippling stage fright) to get up on stage and play what they've written- it's just not their thing. For me, it's the opposite. I love being on stage, and I love watching people react to music, and it doesn't necessarily matter what music it is.

A lot of people don't like the stuff most cover bands play. No doubt. I think I've gotten lucky, in that a fair amount of cover material is stuff I really enjoy...rock covers like Aerosmith or Guns, Michael Jackson hits, 60's rock, blues standards...all stuff that speaks to me. Of course then you have jazz standards which to me is barely even definable as "covers" because any jazz group is going to make whatever tune they're playing into something that's their own for ten minutes.

It's great to see there's other open minded musicians here, and I hope I meet enough of them in my lifetime to pay the bills, and maybe grab a new bass every so often

Thanks!

[Dr. Love]

Originally Posted by Blueszilla

...Playing covers widens your range, sharpens the ear, develops chops, and exposes you to 'composers´ better than you...

Agreed, I've learned lots by having to learn what other people have written because they have a completely different perspective and skill set than me. When you write song you intend to perform, you are generally going to write stuff you will be able to play... now that would be a failed musician, a set list of "amazing" original music you can't actually play for anyone.

[JohnMCA72]

A lot of the negativism comes down to plain jealousy. Some people are jealous of others, who make good (or even mediocre) money while they can't get anybody to pay a nickel for their originals. Others are jealous of those who may be more successful despite being less technically competent than they are.

[scottbass]

There is a continuum that looks something like this:

I play for my own enjoyment --------------------------------------------- I play for the enjoyment of the audience

What type of band makes you the happiest depends on where your personality, makeup, psyche, whatever falls on this continuum.

Total musical nirvana (no reference to grunge music) is reached when your original music becomes famous and you are then playing your own music for your own enjoyment AND also for the enjoyment of your adoring audience.

For the rest of us, particularly here in the US, it's as you stated. You can play originals for your own enjoyment or you can play covers for the enjoyment you derive from the enjoyment of your audience. The latter results in more gigs and more money until - if ever - you reach that state of musical nirvana where the audience wants to hear YOUR orignals.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

Here's the secret- nobody playing in cover bands likes the music they're playing....

I was with you until you got here!

Sorry......wrong!

[Woodchuck]

Originally Posted by DWBass

I was with until you got here!

Sorry......wrong!

Co signage!

[bassbully]

Its really up to what you want to do. If you enjoy playing covers and making money on the weekends..great. If you enjoy writing,recording and producing your own music for money that's great also.... both have pro's and cons.
I would not say anyone is less of a musician if they play covers but i will say original music does take way more dedication and effort often for less rewards than playing covers.

I disagree with an earlier post that said cover bands are more like a business than say original bands. Original bands are way more of a business in that you have more PR, recording, marketing, touring and building a name. In cover bands i just booked gigs off a website and had a cheap demo...worked everywhere.