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Cover band or Original?
- Thread starter Cohacq
- Start date
I am an originals guy through and through. You can make money doing it, but it is tough, very tough. I'm sure there are some guys on this forum who pull it off, tough as it may be.
I've been in ONE cover band in my life, it was a serious tribute, and that band paid more than all the original bands I've been in combined! (But ironically, I played in this band primarily for fun!) So there's your answer fom my experience. I was however, in one original act as a hired gun that actually paid a flat rate for rehearsals and gigs, but that was one band, one unique situation.
If money is your main goal I would say sereous, marketable tribute is your best bet, excellent danceable cover band second, original music a distant last.
Like any other type of act, originals with a big following, a big alchohol-consuming following could pull it off because we all know that bar/club owners care 99% about alchohol sales and 1% quality of music! Talent alone won't get you there, but it does help a bit. I play in a fantastic original band, we're always the best band on any bill we play, but we don't have a drunk following and don't sell much booze. But I don't care, I don't play for money, there are many things I can do that pay WAY more than music anyway. I play music because I LOVE making music, original music! No "Mustang Salley" or "Play That Funky Music" for me, thank you.
I've been in ONE cover band in my life, it was a serious tribute, and that band paid more than all the original bands I've been in combined! (But ironically, I played in this band primarily for fun!) So there's your answer fom my experience. I was however, in one original act as a hired gun that actually paid a flat rate for rehearsals and gigs, but that was one band, one unique situation.
If money is your main goal I would say sereous, marketable tribute is your best bet, excellent danceable cover band second, original music a distant last.
Like any other type of act, originals with a big following, a big alchohol-consuming following could pull it off because we all know that bar/club owners care 99% about alchohol sales and 1% quality of music! Talent alone won't get you there, but it does help a bit. I play in a fantastic original band, we're always the best band on any bill we play, but we don't have a drunk following and don't sell much booze. But I don't care, I don't play for money, there are many things I can do that pay WAY more than music anyway. I play music because I LOVE making music, original music! No "Mustang Salley" or "Play That Funky Music" for me, thank you.
prd004 said:
I play covers and we won't play those or brick house. Our list consists of p funk, sly stone, old motown, a little reggae, some classic rock and party dance tunes. We draw pretty good crowds too and keep the dance floor moving.
So true! The turnout at our gig last Saturday was all girls (on our part anyway), there were many a good random bewbs. My girlfriend would agree!
Mustang Sally only works if you play in places that cater to a 40 year old + drinking crowd, and even then, only if the ladies are present.
MatticusMania said:Mustang Sally only works if you play in places that cater to a 40 year old + drinking crowd, and even then, only if the ladies are present.
Well, my old band had no problem entertaining the 20-something's with Mustang Sally and Brick House...
And yes...they do...yes they do...free beer is always great too
Well, my old band had no problem entertaining the 20-something's with Mustang Sally and Brick House...
eh..If you are not playing those two songs in a coverband then you are doing it wrong. I agree, no matter where or what age the ladies will dance to those two as well as quite a few others and it will be a good time for all.
I played cover's long enough to to know the "Standards" to get em' on the floor.
bluewine said:
Huh?
I've played that song in bars in one on the wealthiest counties in the country and it goes over quite well.
...which drags me into the fray. "Mustang" is pretty much the party anthem at the Suffolk Moose Lodge. Rural but not deprived. Nicest people on the planet.
Riis
I'm in both.
Both are equally fun but an original band has a something extra a covers band doesn't imo.
However, the covers band is still awesome to be in, gets more gigs and actually gets paid. The original band rarely gets paid and mainly plays showcase gigs.
Mark
Both are equally fun but an original band has a something extra a covers band doesn't imo.
However, the covers band is still awesome to be in, gets more gigs and actually gets paid. The original band rarely gets paid and mainly plays showcase gigs.
Mark
I played Mustang Sally 2 weeks ago. Some chick requested it, and the rest of the band was like "Awwwww! No, I don't think so. We HATE that song!"
I said "Sure thing we'll play Mustang Sally for you."
The lead singer and I had to do a bit of lobbying, but we brought the rest of the boys around, and we played the damn song.
You'll never guess what happened......... The dance floor filled up with a bunch of females dancing and having a good time. (Oddly enough, I suspect that that's why they got all dressed up and went out in the first place.)
I love Mustang Sally! We play it with a little different every time, and I have a good time with my drummer doing weird stuff with the beat.
I just can't comprehend why my band turns into a bunch of whiny little girls when someone requests that song. Same goes for Brown Eyed Girl. It's money in the bank. Chicks dig it, they go out and dance, the fellas buy them a drink or 2, occasionally the band sees some random bewbage, and the world keeps on spinning.
Sack up and play some Mustang Sally.
I said "Sure thing we'll play Mustang Sally for you."
The lead singer and I had to do a bit of lobbying, but we brought the rest of the boys around, and we played the damn song.
You'll never guess what happened......... The dance floor filled up with a bunch of females dancing and having a good time. (Oddly enough, I suspect that that's why they got all dressed up and went out in the first place.)
I love Mustang Sally! We play it with a little different every time, and I have a good time with my drummer doing weird stuff with the beat.
I just can't comprehend why my band turns into a bunch of whiny little girls when someone requests that song. Same goes for Brown Eyed Girl. It's money in the bank. Chicks dig it, they go out and dance, the fellas buy them a drink or 2, occasionally the band sees some random bewbage, and the world keeps on spinning.
Sack up and play some Mustang Sally.
