Covering other local bands' songs

TSkills · #1 08-10-2011, 02:30 PM

I don't know if this question has been asked before, but is it considered poor form to cover another local band's songs? They are a national act, and have multiple albums out, but they still perform quite a bit in the area. There's really only one song I'd like to cover, and I'd definately give them credit for it. So, is this a bad idea?

BagelBruin · #2 08-10-2011, 02:32 PM

Go for it!

Martin89 · #3 08-10-2011, 02:39 PM

Ask for their permission when you see them in the area if you could play that particular song in your band.

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 08-10-2011, 02:40 PM

If they're a national act then I don't think it's that big of a deal. Just make sure to give them credit whenever you guys perform it.

fenderhutz · #5 08-10-2011, 02:41 PM

If you play it better than them it's a bad idea lol.

agreatheight · #6 08-10-2011, 02:50 PM

In my cover band, we would do a good amount of local stuff - Hey Jealousy: Gin Blossoms, Backwater: Meat Puppets, The Middle: Jimmy Eat World, The First Single: The Format. They always went over big. In one of my past originals band, occasionally we'd break out something more obscure, usually like Denver Mint: Jimmy Eat World.

raybone · #7 08-10-2011, 02:52 PM

I would love it if another band covered one of my band originals. It means someone thinks its cover worthy. The people in the audience will care less who wrote it, and i bet the band you are covering would dig it. Just dont butcher it.

tdub0199 · #8 08-10-2011, 02:53 PM

we've done it before, just make sure you do the song justice..... and credit the original band for it......

SeaBassSteve · #9 08-10-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agreatheight

In my cover band, we would do a good amount of local stuff - Hey Jealousy: Gin Blossoms, Backwater: Meat Puppets, The Middle: Jimmy Eat World, The First Single: The Format. They always went over big. In one of my past originals band, occasionally we'd break out something more obscure, usually like Denver Mint: Jimmy Eat World.

JEW are quite big here in the uk.most covers know the middle.

JohnMCA72 · #10 08-10-2011, 05:35 PM

I'd be honored if somebody wanted to cover some of my material.

TolerancEJ · #11 08-11-2011, 12:46 PM

It's better if you ask permission first. If you're unable to contact them, then it's probably fine. Who knows? If they learn that you're into their group, they might pick you up as an opening act.

Oh, and if at some point in the future you do happen to open for them, the cover is off-limits. Gig Etiquette: Don't cover a song the next band will play.

runmikeyrun · #12 08-12-2011, 08:21 PM

I've never covered a local band's song unless the band is broken up or friends of ours.

plankspanker13 · #13 08-12-2011, 10:15 PM

The Arizona scene is not noteworthy enough to have produced world-reknowned bands in every significant rock era. Because of that, it is perfectly acceptable to cover local acts that have "made it," particularly Gin Blossoms and JEW, although I would have to say that it has become hip to cover Authority Zero, now, too. I can live without playing "One More Minute," again.

hrodbert696 · #14 08-13-2011, 04:37 AM

I don't see that it's any different if the local band plays nationally. Nobody would think twice about playing Aerosmith up here, though they're kind of "local." I don't think of bands like Jimmy Eat World or the Meat Puppets as "local" even though all bands start somewhere. But when you say "local band," I think about strictly local bands. If I had written a song and someone else wanted to cover it, I would be honored as long as they weren't passing it off as their own or recording it or anything.

Factor88 · #15 08-15-2011, 07:49 AM

As others have said, if it is a truly "national" act than go fro it with no special conditions, but if it was still a local act I would still do it but make sure to give credit.

Waffles and Scotch · #16 08-15-2011, 08:27 AM

I wouldn't cover a local bands song(s) unless we knew them, but if I was at some random bar/club and heard a band covering one of our songs, I'd be honored. But as others have said, don't butcher it...

IanStephenson · #17 08-15-2011, 10:09 AM

If they're a national act, and the material is legally "published", then they'll be registered to receive royalties from performances. They will have signed a publishing contract which specifically says other people are going to perform the songs they've written and each time they do, a little bit of cash lands in their bank account!

Of course at the lower levels its not actually accounted for on a per song basis, but technically when you play a gig, they receive a cut from the bars performance licence.

Ethical? You're putting food on their table.

bassgod0dmw · #18 08-15-2011, 10:31 AM

In my area if it were a genuine "local" band, not signed or anything, I think they would take that as trying to steal their material. Of course this would depend on the band and the people involved. I just know that if my band heard another local band playing our stuff that most of the guys in my band would have something to say/do about it...and not in a good way.

Muttleybass · #19 08-16-2011, 10:37 AM

I think back in the 70's/80's it may have been considered "poor form". Now, and being from Vancouver, it's a requirement. BTO, Bryan Adams, Loverboy, Trooper, Colin James, Headpins, Guess Who, Chilliwack, Powder Blues... At one time, half our set list was local bands!