Just left a coverband...and I'm happy?

[bassforce]

I just left a The Cult coverband wchich I've been playing for the last 4 years. And I'm feeling so relieved!

Why? It's not that easy to explain. But I'll try.
Maybe I'm weird, but I hated doing only one bands covers and doing nothing creative.

The band was only about the webpage, playing well payed gigs, good looking (yes!), buying better (bigger) gear, making banners, posters, myspace page, doing one setlist whole year.
We had one, short rehersal a week, in a tiny basement, where the drummer expected us to play on gig volume (and he did) - imagine, that Earlove earplugs (-20db) were not enough some times. And he was arguing with us all the time - he called it "breaking in".
A singer treated this band as a mission - to show and promote The Cult's music. No wonder why - their music is nice and he couldn't wrote a lyrics and melody to our own song (we tried few times to do something original)
The guitarist always thought he's too old, never had money to buy decent amp (his 12' combo amp sounded good, but on lower volumes - which we never achieved
I was a driver and bassist of course, and I was tired. I had to drive sometimes up to 700 miles at weekend, play a gig, sleep in the car and I was ruining my studies because I was missing a classes and was too tired to study...

It's not that bad as it seems to be. I earned enough money to buy decend gear, I learned a lot about gigging, I found my own sound and I travelled a lot. I helped them a lot, meybe even more than they helped me. But I could not bear it any longer.

I joined another band few months ago. We also have rehersal once a week, but we spent more time together. But it's a different world! Rehersals are longer, so we have time to talk, drink coffe or beer, and have fun.
They play quietly, everything just sounds AMAZING.
And I'm enjoing being there even though their music is not my cup of tea - we play southern/hard rock and I like more funky/bluesy/souly/jazzy music.
But THE SOUND of the band, sound of true hammond with leslie the singers voice, the guitarists abilities, quietly playing good sounding drummer and the fun I get spending time with them keeps me satisfied and happy!

There is no rush for gigs and money at all. We just play music. The band has no name yet - they don't care about it. We dont argue and we respect each other, everyone is commited to play without lectures and argues. It's SO AMAZING! And so different for me!

Is something wrong with me?
I just want to spent some time with good people and play some good music withour the routine and duress.

Sorry guys for the long post, I just need a vent.

[stflbn]

Everyone wants something a little different in a band.

Just keep in mind what puts money in your pocket and what may be enjoyable but more casual. There's a lot of 'cool' musicians out there that can't keep a band together long enough to ever gig or gig enough to get enough reputation to get good paying gigs.

[prof pop]

Hey dude.
I know exactly where your coming from. Im in the exact same situation. Ive been in a coverband for the past 3 years and its always up to me to sort out the money(even though im not in it for the money), organise practices, teach people the proper chords cause they never learn the song roght, rig up the entire PA, just bits and bobs that break your heart!!

Also the drummer has being growing a huge ego at the mo and sees himself almost like a "rockstar" kinda thing. Very very ANNOYING! I believe music should be completely un self indulgent. For me man cover bands just break your heart. You get so caught up in money and all the **** that you forget why your in it in the first place.

Thats just me though!!

[Sabu]

As long as the band sounds good, I see nothing wrong with treating it as a business. Worked for James Brown. Makes money. I've played in many original bands and while it was fun hanging out and writing tunes, the process can sometimes take forever. And there is very little money in it unless you're famous. I like the cover bands I'm in now - here's a list of songs to learn this week, rehearse them mid-week with the band, play them on Fri/Sat gigs. Fast and productive and lucrative.

I definitely couldn't handle rehearsing at gig volume though...

[JustDavid]

I'd call that a tribute band instead of a cover band.

[Time Consumer]

Yeah, im in my third band, first all cover band and its a lot more fun than trying to make original music to me so far, maybe I just haven't found the right group yet cuz I love writing, just not trying to get it out there. Also not playing for free is a big plus and I have more fun when people are into the music im playing. Nothin better than owning a good cover and having folks shake their ass.

[bassforce]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Everyone wants something a little different in a band.

That's right. I want something different than them. But I don't hate them - I found them a new bassit, and place to do rehersals.

Originally Posted by stflbn

Just keep in mind what puts money in your pocket and what may be enjoyable but more casual.
There's a lot of 'cool' musicians out there that can't keep a band together long enough to ever gig or gig enough to get enough reputation to get good paying gigs.

I don't care about the money. I earned enough to buy decend rig and I don't need to spend more. I can find a job "more casual" after I finish studies. Or maybe try to make living playing music. But now I just want to have fun from music. I don't need money, refunds, beer and food would be nice

Originally Posted by prof pop

Hey dude.
I know exactly where your coming from. Im in the exact same situation.
(...) For me man cover bands just break your heart. You get so caught up in money and all the **** that you forget why your in it in the first place.

Thats just me though!!

You can say that again! I totally agree with you.
Less money, more music = fun!

Originally Posted by Sabu

As long as the band sounds good, I see nothing wrong with treating it as a business.

I DO mind. I don;t want to have any obligations. I do it from choice, it's not my job.

Originally Posted by Sabu

I've played in many original bands and while it was fun hanging out and writing tunes, the process can sometimes take forever. And there is very little money in it unless you're famous.

I totally agree. But as I said - it's not about the money for me.

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I'd call that a tribute band instead of a cover band.

I'd call my ex-band a crap band They play out of tune, they can't stick to the tempo and they play for 11 years and do nothing with it.

Originally Posted by Time Consumer

Yeah, im in my third band, first all cover band and its a lot more fun than trying to make original music to me so far, maybe I just haven't found the right group yet cuz I love writing, just not trying to get it out there. Also not playing for free is a big plus and I have more fun when people are into the music im playing. Nothin better than owning a good cover and having folks shake their ass.

As long as you have fun - do it! I didn't have fun, so I quit.
I think music should be only about fun.

[Dkerwood]

Originally Posted by Time Consumer

Nothin better than owning a good cover and having folks shake their ass.

Disagree. Better = people dancing and singing along to your original song, knowing every single word because they've inhaled your CD (at least in my experience).

[bassforce]

My final goal is to have every time 30-60 people listening and enjoying to music I play at gig.
Then sell maybe 10 CD's per gig.
Then get a fuel refund, food, beer and maybe accomodation for the night
And maybe 10-15 gigs a year.

I just don't want to be a live jukebox - ignored by people in the club, and get payed for playing what people want to hear, while they're talking, eating and drinking beer.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by bassforce

My final goal is to have every time 30-60 people listening and enjoying to music I play at gig.
Then sell maybe 10 CD's per gig.
Then get a fuel refund, food, beer and maybe accomodation for the night
And maybe 10-15 gigs a year.

I just don't want to be a live jukebox - ignored by people in the club, and get payed for playing what people want to hear, while they're talking, eating and drinking beer.

I feel ya! I was in a pretty active country cover band for a year and a half. it was a good band but the scene,music and travel got old quick...as old as the folks who came to see us..most over 60

Even with all that it was a good gig with decent to good pay, but i wanted so much more. i lucked out almost a year ago when i found a local singer /songwriter who was putting a new band together to work on his music.
Today we are doing well for a new band with a new EP and getting gigs. I am not making as much money but it is not my goal and the pressure is less and i enjoy this so much more than any other music project i have been a part of.

I have said it before i will take a club with 20-30 folks who are listening to us play and enjoying it than 200 folks in a loud bar watching the TV's, chasin tail and laughin and talkin as we play.It great to play to folks who want to listen and they really become fans if you do it well.

[crijan]

Maybe the improvement isn't totally related to a difference cover vs. original between the two bands, but rather just the difference in personalities and professionalism of the band members.