New found respect for cover bands.

coreyfyfe · #1 08-28-2009, 11:20 AM

I must say, until very recently I was never fond of cover bands. To be honest, I'm still not, but I certainly respect what all you guys and gals are doing a lot more these days.

A few weeks ago I was approached by a friend and fellow bass player, asking me if I would be interested in subbing while he was out with some back issues, potentially involving major surgery. The band is top 40s pop tunes, certainly not my scene in terms of music, but I had seen them play before, at both lackluster and packed gigs. Usually I stuck around for a set or two, and then packed it in before it was late or whenever I got bored.

I must say, there is a huge difference in sitting and watching a cover band, and having to actually generate the interest within your self to play these types of tunes and play them well. Listening to the songs (turn on any pop-radio and there is the set list) I got the impression that I could half-ass my way through the set no problem. Which is true. But I know myself better than that, and I know I'm not going to half-ass anything I do, so it's actually taken some serious effort to put the time into working on this material, and to try to ensure that I am doing everything possible to make these songs sound great.

And given that, I must say, that for anyone who goes out, night after night, weekend after weekend, playing music geared towards the 12-year-old market (although certainly not the lyrics), I salute you. Anyone who loves playing enough to play music you thoroughly dislike, and to play it well and be entertaining, is ok in my book.

dmusic148 · #2 08-28-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

Anyone who loves playing enough to play music you thoroughly dislike, and to play it well and be entertaining, is ok in my book.

We don't ALL play stuff we hate, you know. Classic rock, funk, R&B works too. But thanks though.

BigOldHarry · #3 08-28-2009, 11:26 AM

Very few folks LOVE cover bands - but folks, like me, play in them because A) we like to play, PERIOD and B) we like to get paid.

I've done the original music thing: coffee house's where no one listens or the rock & roll showcases where you get to play for 40 minutes then haul ass off stage... I've done the odd club that will book an originals band for a whole evening and folks just sit and stare...

On balance, I'd rather play music that folks dance to, since, as a bassist, I'm all about de riddim - - If I could play original music that folks danced to and I got paid - - oh yeah, that'd be GREAT... but until then...

DeluxeRed · #4 08-28-2009, 11:36 AM

We play a lot of new stuff, a lot of old stuff. There is some of each I like and some not so much. But it usually possible to make any of them at least interesting to myself, and hopefully, to the audience (or one prob should work on their set list). We also make it a point to rotate a lot of stuff. We learn 3-5 "new" songs a month, and keep things fresh. I'm not a fan of I Kissed A Girl, but the crowd loves it, and I found an interesting synth setting I can jack with over the top of the fundamental bass part. But thank goodness I don't have to play it forever. OTOH, I can listen to my gp wail on any Hendrix any night of the week, over and over (and the crowd seems to love that, too). The songs our younger front line bring to the table keep me fresh, and one of our gals has a talent for picking obscure older one-hit-wonders that work great in our venues, and I love the old pop greats anyway.

And there are a few we do that have great bass parts from which I learn a lot and really get a kick out of playing. I get to play different styles, stretch for different tones, use fx...

What's not to love?

cheamo · #5 08-28-2009, 11:45 AM

I have way more respect for a group of talented musicians trying to enjoy playing music while making some money than a bunch of stupid kids trying to make it big. In that way I have no problem with cover bands at all.

ransombass · #6 08-28-2009, 11:46 AM

If you love your instrument and are playing for reasons other than self gratification, you don't have to fake it night after night. I love playing and all of the challenges that entails and whether it be writing and recording originals or trying to cop a synth bass line for a Snoop Dog cover it's all music and I'm happy that I can do it for a living.

Every working bassist, and yes I mean every working bassist, has and does play covers from time to time. Victor Wooten toured with Chick Correa briefly a while back. He didn't record the bass lines and yet he did his best to reproduce them faithfully.

jelpo · #7 08-28-2009, 11:58 AM

I love the music I play in my cover bands. It's both challenging and rewarding. We do motown, funk, soul, r&b. Figuring out Stevie's left hand, or playing Jamerson's "what's going on," is stuff I truly like. Oh yeah I get paid, and not the door.

Edit--> There's also time to put in a few originals too.

DWBass · #8 08-28-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Very few folks LOVE cover bands...

Really??

In my area, I don't know of anyone who doesn't like the band they play for! They love what they do and they do it well! Same with me. I love playing covers of R&B, Soul, Funk, Pop and Top40 music from all eras! Absolutely love it!

**zenrad** · #9 08-28-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheamo

I have way more respect for a group of talented musicians trying to enjoy playing music while making some money than a bunch of stupid kids trying to make it big. In that way I have no problem with cover bands at all.

But the cover songs being played were originally performed by stupid kids trying to make it big...

stflbn · #10 08-28-2009, 12:12 PM

There are varying degrees of cover bands. And varying degrees of players playing in cover bands.

.

Lonnybass · #11 08-28-2009, 12:22 PM

Some of the most fun I've had in my music career has been playing in cover bands - nothing better than having the power to make large crowds dance for three hours on end. No, it's not going to be a chance to stretch your bass playing with massive amounts of creativity, but there is a certain degree of skill nevertheless in being able to effectively cop a range of styles and feels. Especially if it's stuff you LIKE. Being in a band that plays some of the Motown and R&B tunes I grew up with, AND being paid for it, what could be better?

Lonnybass

Kenner · #12 08-28-2009, 12:22 PM

I love playing in the cover bands. I also play in an original band.

Playing just to play is why we play, ain't it?

Phalex · #13 08-28-2009, 12:23 PM

I'm not getting sucked into that same old stupid argument again!

I play in a cover band, and I like it. I've got a "thing" coming up in a couple of months and have a replacement lined up for a while. He's an awesome player (Better than me anyway) and he's putting in a good bit of study time so he doesn't stink up my band.

There's nothing worth doing that isn't worth doing well.

bthiemann80 · #14 08-28-2009, 12:43 PM

[quote=BigOldHarry;7883679]Very few folks LOVE cover bands - but folks, like me, play in them because A) we like to play, PERIOD and B) we like to get paid. [quote]

Nailed it.

Personally speaking, I've never cared much for cover bands and never wanted to be in one growing up. This only became more solidified after being in a band that was signed under Epic and making a decent living playing original material. After we got dropped and the band dissolved, I went back to finish my bachelors and have now found myself back in school again focusing on a career in health care. I have also recently joined up w/ a regularly performing cover band which covers songs and bands I completely despise and a few that I have toured with. It's a humbling experience to say the least, but for the playing time and the much needed extra income, I couldn't be happier. I feel it's made me a better player due to the amount of rehearsing and performing live along w/ learning new songs in different genres all the time. I think it's good to venture outside of your "comfort zone" as much as you can as a player and a person.

coreyfyfe · #15 08-28-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenner

I love playing in the cover bands. I also play in an original band.

Playing just to play is why we play, ain't it?

This is very true, and probably something I should reflect upon more often, but it always seemed to me that I'd much rather play something I enjoy, than play something that I don't just to play. I guess I just thought of it as something effortless if you catch my drift, and now that I've actually tried my hand at it, I've come to a different conclusion, and this thread was my sort of "public apology" for prior bias.

That and actually get paid for playing helps change my opinion haha.

standupright · #16 08-28-2009, 12:48 PM

yeah. i can see your point. playing blues covers certainly sucks in my book.

rappa29 · #17 08-28-2009, 12:49 PM

[quote=bthiemann80;7883996]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I think it's good to venture outside of your "comfort zone" as much as you can as a player and a person.

+1. Especially if you ever plan on doing any session work.

Keeps all of us 'working' playing music right? And not being replaced by keyboard bass or backing tracks!

coreyfyfe · #18 08-28-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bthiemann80

After we got dropped and the band dissolved, I went back to finish my bachelors and have now found myself back in school again focusing on a career in health care.

It occurs to me that we took opposite paths to the same goal; I decided before going to college that a music career was never going to pan out and went into research. Currently, I work for a pharmaceutical company and play in an originals band (and now a cover band) for fun.

Noonan768 · #19 08-28-2009, 01:10 PM

We are all over the board also. Classics, 80's new stuff, country, funk.. The trick it to find ways to enjoy the songs you might not be crazy about. For isntance, there are a few songs my guitar players love.. and I am certainly not a fan of. So i jazz up the bass line or go out into the crowd and wander around. It works. Plus, the ladies will dance with ya if you're in their territory.. which is kinda good and bad.

Either way. I love most of the music we play and I enjoy getting paid well to have fun. Learning this music has also made me a much better bass player. That rocks!

bthiemann80 · #20 08-28-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

It occurs to me that we took opposite paths to the same goal; I decided before going to college that a music career was never going to pan out and went into research. Currently, I work for a pharmaceutical company and play in an originals band (and now a cover band) for fun.

Right on man, that's definitely the smart way to go. I feel like my music career resembles that of the Curious Case of Benjamin Button haha!