Who prefers smoking on the water as opposed to planting seeds on land?

Dominick · #1 02-23-2010, 10:40 AM

I've always been curious about musicians who are comfortable being in cover bands their entire career? Does it really satisfy you? Do you do "your own stuff" on the side as a creative release? If so, how ardently to you pursue it?

How about (only) fill-in guys playing in otherwise original bands? It's still playing "covers", as you didn't necessarily write anything for the band. Does this satisfy you? If you're not satisfied, what do you prefer doing?

I've done a lot of fill-in work over the years and only in the past 4 years have I pimped myself out to some studios for paid work. After the novelty wore off I returned to the Batcave (where my musical passion flitters) from whence I started. Now that I'm an old fart and have done the hired gun thing, I'm MORE inspired to finally record my own full-length CD, performing all instruments. It's been a lifelong goal that I am finally going to see to fruition this year.

I suppose I'm a textbook case of "once a Goth, always a Goth", but it leaves me to beg the question; just how much of someone else's material can you handle digesting for a buck?

Basshappi · #2 02-23-2010, 10:42 AM

I predict this will not end well.

Dominick · #3 02-23-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshappi

I predict this will not end well.

??????????????????????????????

Um...ok. Not sure where that came from.

RobertPaulson · #4 02-23-2010, 10:45 AM

I suppose it's been about a week since the last one of these

Dominick · #5 02-23-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertPaulson

I suppose it's been about a week since the last one of these

I only stumbled upon talkbass last week, so forgive my repeats.

RobertPaulson · #6 02-23-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominick

I only stumbled upon talkbass last week, so forgive my repeats.

hehe, no worries, there is at least a thread a week on cover band vs. originals - which usually degrades to:

I have more artistic integrity than you because I play originals!!

NU-UH and I make people dance and get payed playing covers!

Basshappi · #7 02-23-2010, 10:56 AM

Ahhh, new person.

Well first let me welcome you to Talkbass, I certainly hope you enjoy it here as it is a great place.

The topic you have posed is a very sensative one as it implies that those who play covers exclusively (or nearly so) are in some way lesser musicians or lacking creativity, imagination or personal drive/commitment.

Even if this is not what you intended these threads will trend that way and usually become rather ugly.

Thus the responses you have recieved. Just FYI

4001 · #8 02-23-2010, 10:57 AM

Well, given the state of the current music industry.............
"Record companies" seem to be disappearing these days and if your band was lucky enough to be signed for an album contract, I really doubt that a band would have the artistic freedom to go and write whatever they wanted as MUSICIANS anymore.

My main rock influences are Rush and Yes.
I have many other influences like Weather report and Tribal Tech too.
Name me one record label that will let a band write material like those bands created and give them a few albums to find their audience.

Those days are long gone, and the thought of spending countless hours writing music that is musical vs commercial is more of a waste of time than anything.

Sure, you can write, record and post a youtube video of your band's great new song that is just under 10 minutes long with all kinds of stuff happening in it, but to become some big time band doing that again is a lost dream.
A few get lucky and most don't get out of the basement.
So those few play covers of music that they wish they could write, but know has a snowball's chance in Hell of making it to the big time.

The best thing about original music is that nobody can accuse you of playing anything wrong. Unless you obviously step on your dick with a sour note and the problem I have with being with musicians that have their own songs is the big dreamers that write them think that they will be the next music superhero.

I play covers because it's fun to have people thank you for playing a song that they love to hear and playing it correctly so they know that they didn't waste their hard earned cash listening to someone's grand scheme of music that makes people usually get bored, except their friends and family members that show up for moral support.

standupright · #9 02-23-2010, 10:57 AM

in the two sometimes three different groups i play with, there is a combination of covers and originals. and even on the covers, i go with the 80 / 20 rule for the bass line to give me room for creative embellishment.

knowing that i'll most likely never be able to do this for a living, i enjoy what i can of it. i can't imagine NOT doing it.

Floyd Eye · #10 02-23-2010, 10:58 AM

I'm new to TB too.

My band has some originals and eventually we would like to do only our music, but realistically, if you want to work, you have to do covers. That being the case, we have spent the winter months learning cover songs. We're up to like 30 or 40. I plan on hitting it hard this spring and I plan on throwing an original tune or two at the end of each set.

Then we'll take it from there.

Dominick · #11 02-23-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertPaulson

hehe, no worries, there is at least a thread a week on cover band vs. originals - which usually degrades to:

I have more artistic integrity than you because I play originals!!

NU-UH and I make people dance and get payed playing covers!

I see...

It's not my intention at all. I don't claim to have any more artistic integrity than the next joe. I'm genuinely curious about fulfillment. I always wondered if I'm missing something by being so reclusive. The times when I'm not reclusive it's not as fulfilling. To each their own...I just wonder if people who play other people's music for money are more or less satisfied doing that rather than their own thing.

It's really not a confrontational question.

BigOldHarry · #12 02-23-2010, 11:02 AM

I've played a mix - I prefer original music, but I MUCH prefer having an audience (as in, doing real gigs) - so I'll take what comes along. The money has never been worth the work doing covers - - here in San Diego, you have to be in a really top band doing big showy tunes to make a living at it - otherwise, you're making $50 a night doing 4 sets at a bar, if you're lucky.

But the opposite can bite too: Playing cool original music with no gigs.... No joy there!

ironrat · #13 02-23-2010, 11:02 AM

I don't care, I just play!

Dominick · #14 02-23-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

I'm new to TB too.

My band has some originals and eventually we would like to do only our music, but realistically, if you want to work, you have to do covers. That being the case, we have spent the winter months learning cover songs. We're up to like 30 or 40. I plan on hitting it hard this spring and I plan on throwing an original tune or two at the end of each set.

Then we'll take it from there.

Right on.

So, in other words, have fun along the way with the necessarily evils? I've know a lot of musicians who take this approach. It excludes doing "one or the other" (covers only vs original only).

I'm way to obsessive compulsive to be that neutral with my playing. All the more power to ya!

Dominick · #15 02-23-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I've played a mix - I prefer original music, but I MUCH prefer having an audience (as in, doing real gigs) - so I'll take what comes along. The money has never been worth the work doing covers - - here in San Diego, you have to be in a really top band doing big showy tunes to make a living at it - otherwise, you're making $50 a night doing 4 sets at a bar, if you're lucky.

But the opposite can bite too: Playing cool original music with no gigs.... No joy there!

Yeah, the going rate of $50 bucks per person for 4 sets seems to be the standard in America. I guess that is what prompted my question. Are there folks who are are satisfied playing covers, even for little cash? I'd be very curious to hear and understand their decision? Is it from a point of general discontent? Is it merely passion for the artists who inspire them? Who knows?

Rickett Customs · #16 02-23-2010, 11:06 AM

The last band I have joined is all covers. None of them seem to be driven to want to do originals, although that was the premise for me joining and that ended up being the punchline.......

I have since then totally separated the two and still continue to write on my own, just never make any excuses of needing someone else to help you along, there's the pitfall.

Dominick · #17 02-23-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshappi

Ahhh, new person.

Well first let me welcome you to Talkbass, I certainly hope you enjoy it here as it is a great place.

The topic you have posed is a very sensative one as it implies that those who play covers exclusively (or nearly so) are in some way lesser musicians or lacking creativity, imagination or personal drive/commitment.

Even if this is not what you intended these threads will trend that way and usually become rather ugly.

Thus the responses you have recieved. Just FYI

Ugh. I propose a philisophical viewpoint (cannot be proven right or wrong) verses an antagonistic viewpoint. I do hope that those who stumble upon my question don't view it as a fight forum.

Eh...live and learn.

bergy9650 · #18 02-23-2010, 11:11 AM

well in response to being a cover musician as a living where i live 94% of the venues have a rule that limits covers you can play so theres a shortage of specific cover bands but that makes for some pretty good covers also(if that makes sense)... i dont think that theres anything wrong with doing covers but i get bored i was ounce part of a band that did covers and as the new guy i didnt have to much say in things but when i tried to put to gether an orginal i was shot down i still occasianly play with them but am working on putting together a original group now

RBrownBass · #19 02-23-2010, 11:12 AM

Is there a place for "I play covers when hired for that, but generally do not go out to hear bands that do a lot of that sort of thing"?

Dominick · #20 02-23-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auriaprottu

Is there a place for "I play covers when hired for that, but generally do not go out to hear bands that do a lot of that sort of thing"?

Certainly there's a place! I kinda fall into that category at times - depending on which personality I use that week.

I think a lot of players are in that category.

And I don't frequent cover band venues either. But I also don't frequent original band venues. I may be an odd duck but I genuinely hate live music. I just don't like going to clubs - never have. Never been a concert enthusiast either. I'd rather stay home and read a really good book or write my own stuff.