I"m pretty sure we all do in the eyes of the OPI resemble that remark.Ian Dury had some very perspicacious philosophy on the subject of Blockheads.
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Covers vs Originals
- Thread starter BatBasstard
- Start date
I"m pretty sure we all do in the eyes of the OP
Could be, but I'll cut him some slack... There was a Doctor Who story I read as a kid (had no TV, got most of my addiction satisfied at a local library).
The Doctor was talking to a Tibetan lama who had said 'imagine the wealth of experience if a goldfish were poured from the bowl into the ocean'. The Doctor amused the lama no end when he said 'Yes, but imagine how much happier the goldfish would be if the ocean could be poured into the bowl'. Can't be done, but I suspect it's an urge every one of us has indulged in at least once... Maybe as well as finding it impossible, we do actually gain something intangible and useful for the effort. Maybe the trick is just recognising the law of diminishing returns so we know when not to push further.
I'd say the trick might be knowing when we're in the ocean and not the bowl.
Yeah, that's sort of what I had in mind in an earlier post in the thread, mentioning scientists. They live for the moment when they realise they've found some genuinely new bit of ocean instead of what had become a large but familiar bowl.. Any question that provokes this response from the world (universe) is a question worth asking. But how we deal with the answers... that takes time, lots of time. We're not much changed from the 'ancient' Greeks, Arabs, Mayans, Romans... I don't understand much of what they figured out.
Have done both.
In high school early 70s played in agency cover bands and bar bands through about '85. Made very good money playing a lot of week-two week stints in resorts and T-40 clubs 5 to 6 nights a week around the NW.
In '85 joined an originals band and starved for about 5 years, but was fun writing, playing, and recording our own stuff.
After that at 35 years old took up "straight work" and pretty much just played in weekend bands.
Moved from the NW at 40 around '95 and since moving to the sticks have been playing in weekend things. Was in a nice little jazz trio for years, a hard rock original band, an original fusion band, and a couple of weekend cover bands.
After this covid/pendemic thing have just put music down as far as playing out. I still play a couple of hours every day, but at 65+ have kind of lost that giggin mojo. If some very casual interesting project came up I would go for it. ☮
In high school early 70s played in agency cover bands and bar bands through about '85. Made very good money playing a lot of week-two week stints in resorts and T-40 clubs 5 to 6 nights a week around the NW.
In '85 joined an originals band and starved for about 5 years, but was fun writing, playing, and recording our own stuff.
After that at 35 years old took up "straight work" and pretty much just played in weekend bands.
Moved from the NW at 40 around '95 and since moving to the sticks have been playing in weekend things. Was in a nice little jazz trio for years, a hard rock original band, an original fusion band, and a couple of weekend cover bands.
After this covid/pendemic thing have just put music down as far as playing out. I still play a couple of hours every day, but at 65+ have kind of lost that giggin mojo. If some very casual interesting project came up I would go for it. ☮
Done both but my most successful cover band allowed us to survive doing it full time. We setup a home studio where we were able to concentrate on writing and recording presentable demos to shop and the ol' free showcase without putting too much of a dent in our pockets. The goal was to transition from covers to all original once we acquired label support. The cover schedule kept us sharp, tight and an acquired fan base and some brand recognition.
We did generate some label interest (which self-destructed due to some panicky personalities in our unit) but the process gave me enough of a peek into the 'big time' to conclude that I wanted no part of the big time (with that group anyway) and eventually no part of it at all.
That said, I'll leave everyone here with a picture of our former management team if they were to hear we might re-form.
We did generate some label interest (which self-destructed due to some panicky personalities in our unit) but the process gave me enough of a peek into the 'big time' to conclude that I wanted no part of the big time (with that group anyway) and eventually no part of it at all.
That said, I'll leave everyone here with a picture of our former management team if they were to hear we might re-form.
I play originals in a local rock trio. Everyone has day jobs. We recorded an EP earlier this year and are writing what will probably be a full album when it's done. We're very collaborative and the best group dynamic I've had in a long time.
I played in an obscure covers band once. That was fun but not something I'd like to do again.
I played in an obscure covers band once. That was fun but not something I'd like to do again.
original bands cost money, cover bands make money
I have found both rewarding and look down on neither
My experience is : Creation is fun and feels good, but that don't make the result good. Making music that audiences actually like, in a band of clashing tastes, egos, attitudes and abilities, is very hard work. Much harder than I, as a young player, truly appreciated. Being a "good" original band is very hard to objectively self-evaluate.
With covers you get to put 100% of your effort into the craft and practicalities of the gig. Evaluating and achieving "good" is much easier. You can check your work against the source material, you have a precise target to aim for. The audience comes pre-trained to enjoy the songs. There was a time when every huge original act grew form veteran cover acts, I suspect because they had years of focusing on craft before turning to art.
I have found both rewarding and look down on neither
My experience is : Creation is fun and feels good, but that don't make the result good. Making music that audiences actually like, in a band of clashing tastes, egos, attitudes and abilities, is very hard work. Much harder than I, as a young player, truly appreciated. Being a "good" original band is very hard to objectively self-evaluate.
With covers you get to put 100% of your effort into the craft and practicalities of the gig. Evaluating and achieving "good" is much easier. You can check your work against the source material, you have a precise target to aim for. The audience comes pre-trained to enjoy the songs. There was a time when every huge original act grew form veteran cover acts, I suspect because they had years of focusing on craft before turning to art.
I play in two bands doing covers. I've done originals before and it was fun, but I don't think I ever made more than 40 bucks and free drinks at that. While at times I'd like a more creative outlet, the market around here for originals isn't very good, and in the end I'm happy to gig more frequently, for good cowds and better money. But I'm also middle aged and don't have any illusions I'm going to "make it" any more.
That's true, but I'd rather continue to create new music instead of jamming to "One Way Out' or play "Mony Mony" so grandma can dance.
I'm playing in two bands.
1. A progressive rock/metal group doing originals that has no vocalist and hasn't left the garage. Starting to believe it never will. But at least we are having fun.
2. Cover band that I've been playing with for less than three months and we have our first gig this weekend at a private party.
1. A progressive rock/metal group doing originals that has no vocalist and hasn't left the garage. Starting to believe it never will. But at least we are having fun.
2. Cover band that I've been playing with for less than three months and we have our first gig this weekend at a private party.
TB needs a 'love' option for post reactions, because I'd love the heck out of this post....
I posted previously not to characterize musicians, but projects, as "original" or "cover" artists. It's my experience that most people do both. But in the name of full honesty, I should mention a recent experience; The Joy Formidable, a Welsh band I much enjoy, is touring the US, and I got the VIP ticket for their Boston show where the band does an acoustic pre-show and meet-and-greet. So I asked them, thinking of threads like this, what they played when they weren't writing, recording and touring their own material. Do they do blues jams at home for fun, or some local Welsh folk songs, or what?
To my surprise, they basically said - nothing. In fact, they seemed kind of baffled by the question. Ritzy, the singer/guitarist, basically laughed and said oh no, she wouldn't know what to do, to pull out an acoustic guitar and sing a campfire song or anything.
So maybe it's more common than I acknowledged that some people really don't play music they didn't compose themselves, and all they do is their own writing. That's fine, but I couldn't imagine doing that, even if I did have a career as a professional member of an original band. I mean, even a band that has a few albums out would have a repertoire of just a few dozen songs. I've got hundreds I have played, am playing, or am working on learning for different projects, cover bands and church worship teams and so on. I just feel like it would be so limiting to only ever play the small body of music I had written myself.
To my surprise, they basically said - nothing. In fact, they seemed kind of baffled by the question. Ritzy, the singer/guitarist, basically laughed and said oh no, she wouldn't know what to do, to pull out an acoustic guitar and sing a campfire song or anything.
So maybe it's more common than I acknowledged that some people really don't play music they didn't compose themselves, and all they do is their own writing. That's fine, but I couldn't imagine doing that, even if I did have a career as a professional member of an original band. I mean, even a band that has a few albums out would have a repertoire of just a few dozen songs. I've got hundreds I have played, am playing, or am working on learning for different projects, cover bands and church worship teams and so on. I just feel like it would be so limiting to only ever play the small body of music I had written myself.
I feel like maybe most TB'ers have played in both types of bands at one time or another (including myself). In Band Management forum there are unique topics or situations for Cover and Originals bands that don't cross over, but many do. I enjoy reading and commenting on both. As already mentioned, many o-posters indicate the type of band they are playing in and if they do not, it's often discernable by context or usually someone asks to confirm. I don't see a whole lot of confusion in threads because of the originals/cover confusion.
The problem comes because of people. Some people want to give a thoughtful answer to the question asked and others only want to make a sarcastic joke about something in the OP's post or a spelling mistake. And there is everything else in between those two extremes. Some don't read the question, some don't read the posts. Bottom line is you have to have a thick skin on a forum because its interaction with people that you won't agree with and it's 100% based on opinion. People are also going to throw shade and that's just the way it is. You take away what you want and leave the rest.
Fact is, I've learned soooo much from this Forum and it's why I come back. Thanks to all the great mods also, I know it's a thankless job.
The problem comes because of people. Some people want to give a thoughtful answer to the question asked and others only want to make a sarcastic joke about something in the OP's post or a spelling mistake. And there is everything else in between those two extremes. Some don't read the question, some don't read the posts. Bottom line is you have to have a thick skin on a forum because its interaction with people that you won't agree with and it's 100% based on opinion. People are also going to throw shade and that's just the way it is. You take away what you want and leave the rest.
Fact is, I've learned soooo much from this Forum and it's why I come back. Thanks to all the great mods also, I know it's a thankless job.
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I agree with you. I ran a very good originals band for 5 years. It was great, very creative and I learned allot about how rough the music buisness is.
It cost money to operate often with little return and it wore me out. When the band ended I vowed even thou original music is my first love I would only play covers from then on. I felt at least I would be getting paid for my time invested.
I play mainly covers now but one of my two bands sprinkles in a few originals so at least It is still rewarding
Originals can be very rewarding. It's a great feeling writing a song, anxiously bringing it in and playing it for the band, and then the band liking it, learning it and playing and recording it. That initial spark of a new song idea that is pretty good is maybe the best part of the process.
I agree. I'm only in my 30s and just joined an original band last year. Things are going well it looks like it's really starting to take off. But this is definitely the last one I'm doing and now is the time to do it. I don't want to be in my 40s 50s just starting out playing to bar staff. Not that there's anything wrong with that if people want to do that then fine. Best of luck to you.
At one time I was one of those people and swore I'd never be in a cover band. Then at one time I was bandless and opportunity came up and thought balls to it I'll give it a try. It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable time I ever had in music. We were great friends (which is a big factor in any band) and you could really tell the audience genuinely enjoyed it. As opposed to the originals when people came up to you and said "great show man" out of politeness. Obviously the money side was a lot better too. Shame that band broke up in the end I would never have left.
My experience was all covers. I never really had interest in originals -i think that mainly stems because i just never thought i could write a song or collaborate.
As a audience guy i love seeing a good cover band so I can have some drinks and listen to the old hits and see the band's shtick. I have a one local original guy i go see cause he is so talented in his singing and harmonies.
Rarely, do i see a original band up and coming and just love their music right off but it has happened a handful of times. When you experience that music first time and are touched it is a great organic feeling that I can only imagine a original artist loves in a audience member. A good long thread here for sure. Back early on there was a post categorizing the basic cover and Original guys -i thought it was fairly humorous and kind of accurate as these things go. As @hrodbert696 noted though you cant put all folks in a box. Anyway, I have been on many different forums and this is the most interesting and level headed of any I have attended. Most everyone is respectable and ready to help out or give an opinion. It is why I still remain even though i hardly ever pick up my dusty old P Bass
Thanks to mods and all you posters! I will stop my coffee infused enthusiasm now LOL
As a audience guy i love seeing a good cover band so I can have some drinks and listen to the old hits and see the band's shtick. I have a one local original guy i go see cause he is so talented in his singing and harmonies.
Rarely, do i see a original band up and coming and just love their music right off but it has happened a handful of times. When you experience that music first time and are touched it is a great organic feeling that I can only imagine a original artist loves in a audience member. A good long thread here for sure. Back early on there was a post categorizing the basic cover and Original guys -i thought it was fairly humorous and kind of accurate as these things go. As @hrodbert696 noted though you cant put all folks in a box. Anyway, I have been on many different forums and this is the most interesting and level headed of any I have attended. Most everyone is respectable and ready to help out or give an opinion. It is why I still remain even though i hardly ever pick up my dusty old P Bass
Thanks to mods and all you posters! I will stop my coffee infused enthusiasm now LOL
If I didn't write the song, it's a cover to me. I fail to see the difference if it was written by some famous dude or Joe Schmoe down the street. Who cares? Play the song the way you want to hear it on stage at all times. Anyone has an issue with that, ehf 'em.
