The Official Covers vs Originals Thread

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

If this topic bothers you, I mean really bother you... get a mirror. Seriously. The simple fact that some people get angry over this is telling. Okay, you got angry, now ask yourself why.

This site is full of folks who are wrong on a regular basis so if they think originals suck, why not let them? If they think covers are for old folks who gave up, cool... now what? IMO most of these opinions are born of ignorance or just an attempt to tweak people who apparently don't mind being tweaked.

Like you?


I play mainly covers. I don't have to do carbon copy arrangements. At this point in my career it pays better. Much better. There is nothing anyone can say about that that will upset me, particular if I know they're trying to upset me. That would make me stupid too... wouldn't it?


So if an adverse opinion about your choices really gets your knickers in a bunch, ask yourself why what mainly anonymous folks on the interweb think about something they know very little about... you, matters? If you find that it really is important count yourself in the minority of human beings and let me know how that ulcer works out.


The containment idea is a good one IMO, it'll be interesting if they all come here to share their wisdom. Or entertaining at the least.

+1

[DWBass]

Oh by the way, I'm in a covers band but we have an originals cd out. Hmmm...

I also see some folks are adding 'young musos vs. older musos' to this 'debate'. Age has nothing to do with it. In my area, there's a 60y/o bassist playing with a bunch of 20 somethings playing current only cover tunes. In fact, the name of the band is Cover This! So let's take the age thing out of this debate. I'm 53 and enjoy playing good music period, whether it's a cover or original, old or new. As I mentioned, I'm a covers guy but would gladly play in an originals band if all the music was really good. Covers sort of guarantee the music is already good. It also allows me to play a variety of music and not just one genre which would bore me to death! Bless you guys who only play one genre and nothing else!

There's fodder for another debate. Why do you play just one style of music?

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by jive1

I've been a cover guy most of my life, but got involved in an original project last summer. I can certainly gig more and get paid better in other realms, but I got myself into this project because I really craved musical development.

After being at this for a few decades, I didn't want 3 chord Rock to be where I settled at in terms of playing. Not to be too cocky, or belittling to others, but after doing this for twenty something years at a semi-pro level, most of the typical Rock/Pop/Blues/Country/R&B covers really weren't a challenge to me. Sure, the songs were fun and I loved the crowd reaction, but from a musical standpoint, it was getting stale and so was my playing.

Fortunately for me, I got to be involved in a part-time project with a really talented guitar player. I'm talking Al DiMeola/Pat Metheny type of good. We both have our gigs that bring in the cash, so we could take this project with minimal pressure and optimum creativity. Even if the project didn't make a dime or play any gigs, the musicial experience is well worth it. I've learned alot, and it's cheaper than paying for lessons.

I understand where you are coming from. Even though I have only been back to playing 11 years covers got a little boring to me after 5-6 years in. I just did not feel I was growing as a musician.
Since I got back late in life to music I need to jump start it and original music allowed this I felt alive, challenged and I grew as a player.

The experiences of playing original music opened more doors for me with writing,producing and recording our albums an experience I highly doubt a cover band would of given me. All of these are the good reasons but there are some bad.

Maybe the thrill of the chase of originals music will burn out. I am seeing this some with me now. Having to promote and always be looking for the right venues and shows is getting to me. Some on my hopes for originals music is now looking like it is was only a dream and may never come true.

I never will know where music will take me. I plan on keeping my sights on playing and writing original music but you never know. Maybe I will throw originals away someday and go play in a good cover band and enjoy that, maybe I will sell it all and hang it up...never know but for now its is all good.

[bunkaroo]

Originally Posted by jive1

. Even if the project didn't make a dime or play any gigs, the musicial experience is well worth it. I've learned alot, and it's cheaper than paying for lessons.

Very good point here. I've always learned from the musicians I play with, and I make it a point to try and find the best ones I can to help raise the bar. Hard to learn much from other musicians when you never get together to rehearse and just do your regular bar gigs playing the same songs again and again.

[fraublugher]

ignorance is bliss , don't develop your repertoire. "Write" originals and when someone says you sound like so and so you can confidently state you've never heard of them.

/facetious emoticon

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Lunchbox4u_6

There are. I lived in Milwaukee for 6 years and saw lots of bands, both original bands and cover bands, and both mixed it up. Heck, Dave Matthews plays at least one cover tune every night of his tour.

Dave doesn't count, I'm strictly talking local bar bands.

Blue

[kjpollo]

I was in one originals band and am now in my 2nd cover band.
In the originals band, our singer/main songwriter HATED adding in covers. We prevailed on him to add a couple in case we were playing out somewhere and we needed to fill more time than our originals could handle. (ultimately it didnt matter as the project finally self-destructed before we could actually play out)

Then my 1st cover band was a classic rock band and we very quickly decided that IF anybody came up with something good enough, we would add it in. I just left that band this past week and nobody ever brought in an original for us to work on.

My new cover band is a modern country band and I highly doubt we're going to get into writing anything in that genre.

I definitely enjoyed being part of the creative process in the originals band though. Even though I didnt write any lyrics, I did come up with the melody and bassline of one of our originals. Nothing world-changing but I was proud of it anyway. And I added and changed parts in almost all of our songs. Our singer/keyboard player and original guitarist had been writing some stuff together before the rhythm player and I joined and they were VERY flexible about letting us have input on the songs they had already composed.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by fraublugher

ignorance is bliss , don't develop your repertoire. "Write" originals and when someone says you sound like so and so you can confidently state you've never heard of them.

/facetious emoticon

I'm not clear on what that would prove?

Blue

[QORC]

Neither one is inherently better than the other -- it all depends on what turns YOU on. And you do it. Whether it's style of music, or covers vs. originals. You yourself have to feel inspired by what you do or it won't be much fun.

But in general people who do covers usually play better gigs, make better money and have larger crowds that bands that do originals. If that's what turns you on, great. Do covers. If doing your own music turns you on, go for it.

But I don't see the point in saying that something so subjective is "better" than the other.

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Oh by the way, I'm in a covers band but we have an originals cd out. Hmmm...

?

That's a good idea! The best of both worlds.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by QORC

Neither one is inherently better than the other -- it all depends on what turns YOU on. And you do it. Whether it's style of music, or covers vs. originals. You yourself have to feel inspired by what you do or it won't be much fun.

But in general people who do covers usually play better gigs, make better money and have larger crowds that bands that do originals. If that's what turns you on, great. Do covers. If doing your own music turns you on, go for it.

But I don't see the point in saying that something so subjective is "better" than the other.

There are a few originals bands Milwaukee that play the higher profile benefits and fund raisers. Usually big stage, sound, lights, crowds and no pay.

I know a few people in these types of bands and what they tell me is the exposure puts you on the list where you'll always be called to play these events and always for no pay.

Interesting, from what I've seen these originals bands are made up of younger musicians, under 30.

Most of the bands are fine with it. They're not usually cut from the same mold as the 4 hour a night bar band folks.

Just depends on what you like.

Blue

[MarkMgibson]

Most musicians just can't write great songs; that's why we play covers. More a matter of talent than choice. If I played a set of my songs, I'd need chicken wire in front of the stage to protect me.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

Most musicians just can't write great songs; that's why we play covers. More a matter of talent than choice. If I played a set of my songs, I'd need chicken wire in front of the stage to protect me.

We have a few originals bands headed by local veteran heroes like Semi Twang that have really good material and musicianship.

However, there are way too many kids ( mainly stoners) playing original material that's marginal at best. You know, songs that repeats the same 3 chords, irrelevant lyric content with little to no playing ability. The typical "show your friends your in a band " syndrome.

Blue

[QORC]

Q: How do you make a million dollars playing originals?



A: Start with two million dollars!

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by QORC

Q: How do you make a million dollars playing originals?



A: Start with two million dollars!

Wrong just write the right song along this with allot of luck.

[zachoff]

I like to write music.
I don't care about getting paid.
I don't like to play covers.

[Lemoore-on]

I love playing covers in a bar! I dig the intimacy of being on a small 6" high stage with sweaty bodies right in front of us, gyrating provocatively to the music we are playing. I love it when they sing along & play air guitar. I will be 50 soon, I have done originals and it is rewarding, but not as much fun

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by zachoff

I like to write music.
I don't care about getting paid.
I don't like to play covers.

How often do you gig doing originals?

Blue

[Mike N]

I've played in bands that were strictly covers, bands that were a mix of both, and now I'm in a band that is strictly originals with a CD on the way.

So far they've all been a good time.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Lemoore-on

I love playing covers in a bar! I dig the intimacy of being on a small 6" high stage with sweaty bodies right in front of us, gyrating provocatively to the music we are playing. I love it when they sing along & play air guitar. I will be 50 soon, I have done originals and it is rewarding, but not as much fun

+1

Blue