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Cover Band Rant.

#81
Um.... Unfortunately, I read the whole thing. :hmm: The BAR OWNER is the one who F-ed up. Period. You can't expect to book a BEATLES band in a biker bar, and it will go well. Plus, you can't expect a BEATLES BAND to start playing metal songs to "entertain the crowd" because the jerk who runs the place booked a BEATLES band in a BIKER BAR! What kind of DUMBA$$ books a BEATLES band in a BIKER BAR???????????? Seriously?????? You're gonna sit here and point fingers at the BAND when the owner booked them in a BIKER BAR??????????? Even if the band sucked (and I'm sure they did), they probably would have gone over fine in a bar where they like BEATLES music! But a BIKER BAR?????????? The bar owner....what an idiot. Think I made my point? :eyebrow:


And while I'm at it, for all of you "original snobs" there are plenty of original bands around here who have messed up my perfectly good night out with friends, so get off YOUR high horse as well. It's not about whether the band played their songs or somebody else's. It's about whether or not they can play, AND whether or not they were in the RIGHT PLACE!



BTW, ............a BEATLES BAND in a BIKER BAR????????? :scowl:
 
#82
Sundogue said:
Give it some time. You may very well play a gig where you aren't welcome, unless you stay local. And I guarantee that if you play originals there will be someone like you who wishes your band played something else..or somewhere else.
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that's fine with me, i don't expect everyone to want to hear what i'm playing, i just play where most of them do want to hear it.
 
#83
bgressman82 said:
the performance itself wasn't bad at all. it was just the wrong place for them to be. i could certainly see them playing a classier place and doing quite well. it wasn't just the visual aspect and the banter, though. if you want to make any tips at this bar, you're better off covering metallica and alice in chains and the like.
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if the worst thing they did was wear dippy costumes into a biker bar,and be less than great on the between song banter i would think that you,as a pro would be inclined to cut 'em some slack......it sounds to me that there is a bit of the old original/cover band snobbery going on......they didn't kidnap the lindberg baby and nobody died.....lighten up dude,the time may come when you need a little slack
your own self
 
#86
bgressman82 said:
why do you assume i want to travel around the world? i have kids to raise.
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I assumed that you wanted your originals to be heard by more than the locals. Not necessarily around the world, but at least to new places you are unfamiliar with. Sorry about that.

If you play at the same places all the time then you can feel assured that people will welcome you.

Most bands don't have that luxury and over the course of their careers most musicians will have that "Blues Brothers needing chicken wire" gig come up occassionally. There is a reason it's in the movie. It's certainly something most musicians relate to.
 
#87
funny you mention chicken wire... we do put that up from time to time, but mostly for a visual aid.

no, i don't care who hears my music. no one can hear it as far as i'm concerned. won't change the fact that love to make it.
 
#88
Sundogue said:
I give anybody who goes onstage and plays music (original or covers) props, no matter how good or bad they are.
.
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Agreed. Having been there many times, I have respect for anyone doing it, and while I might not like it, Im going to (perhaps) politely clap but certainly not be an ass about it. I dont mind telling someone "good show" or "nice set" even if I wasn't particularly impressed.
 
#89
I've read this whole thread and it seems that (IMO) the owner of the bar was wrong in booking this particular band in this situation. I also understand the O.P. problem with that band being booked in his fav. bar, when they probably shouldn't have been booked there (of course, you could have left). But my biggest issue here is why a Beatles Tribute band would agree to play for FIVE hours for tips?!?!? :rollno: I guess venues in this town really are few and far between.
 
#90
bgressman82 said:
funny you mention chicken wire... we do put that up from time to time, but mostly for a visual aid.

no, i don't care who hears my music. no one can hear it as far as i'm concerned. won't change the fact that love to make it.
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Would you keep playing it in bars if no one ever saw your band again? By that I mean, you never, ever had another single person ever listen to your band, ever again...would you still keep playing out live?

The reason I ask is that you say you don't care if no one hears your music, but I wonder what your reasons are for creating something no one will know about.

I'm just curious as I am also an artist and I give inspirational lectures and workshops, so I'm always wanting to know what compels people to create.
 
#92
Sundogue said:
Would you keep playing it in bars if no one ever saw your band again? By that I mean, you never, ever had another single person ever listen to your band, ever again...would you still keep playing out live?

The reason I ask is that you say you don't care if no one hears your music, but I wonder what your reasons are for creating something no one will know about.

I'm just curious as I am also an artist and I give inspirational lectures and workshops, so I'm always wanting to know what compels people to create.
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if i was with the same band i'm in now, yes. i like to play. i like the process of jamming out a song. it's fun for me, probably the most fun i have all week. it also doesn't hurt the people in my band are great people to hang out with.
 
#95
Sundogue said:
Wasn't Kansas a Top 40 band? If a Kansas tribute band didn't play at a top 40/cover type bar where would they play?

Bars that only hire Kansas tribute bands? ;)

Though it seems your friend/relative that owns the bar you hang out at will hire anybody. :hiding: :D
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kansas was a top 40 band back in its day. it isn't now. you sure you've been gigging for all these years?
 
#97
bgressman82 said:
8 years and runnin, haven't had a bad one yet. then again, i play originals and have a following.
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Um -- how many gigs would that be, then? You said there are only two clubs in your area that have bands. There are a few "originals" bands in our urban area that are well regarded with "followings" and are selective about where they play (no house parties, bookstore/cafes, etc.), and gig a couple/three times a year. You're certainly not getting out every Saturday night. . . .
 
#99
KrisH said:
Um -- how many gigs would that be, then? You said there are only two clubs in your area that have bands. There are a few "originals" bands in our urban area that are well regarded with "followings" and are selective about where they play (no house parties, bookstore/cafes, etc.), and gig a couple/three times a year. You're certainly not getting out every Saturday night. . . .
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two bars in the TOWN several hundred in the AREA. plus, we got our start doing house parties.
 
#100
Sundogue said:
Didn't I use the past tense in my question?

I don't know of too many Top 40 type clubs that only cater to bands playing only current top 40.

Also, what kind of genre does your original music fit into?
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kansas isn't in the top 40 now, so they would belong in a classic rock environment. haven't heard of the clubs? i find that odd for someone who's been giging "professionally" for as long as you claim.

my genre is metal.
 

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