Guys Who Only Play Covers: What Happened?

[boristhespider9]

Ok, so on a scale of 1-10, how big of a hypocrite does a person in your position have to be to criticize someone who made the exact same decision, only in a different, yet significantly less important aspect of their life? Why did you decide to take that safe path? Have you no pride in your career that you decided to take that easy path?

Exactly. Well said.


(And for the record, I didn't criticize anyone. I wanted the discussion to get back on track about the reasons and decisions made by people who transitioned from original bands to the cover scene. Guys who were originally following their passion for original music, but eventually transitioned to cover bands.)

 

[SactoBass]

So hypothetically speaking, let's say I took the easy, less risky path to be safe rather than a more gutsy risk taking venture that may have been more difficult and more satisfying in the end. I took the career equivalent of Brown-Eyed Girl rather than trying to write the next great rock tune.

Actually boris, I think you chose wisely. But it doesn't really matter what I think with respect to that.

I think Guy's analogy was a good one. That same question was posed to the OP, but I don't believe the OP responded.

I guess the question to ask is, in your case, did you first try to start your own company (because that was your dream), but then, at some point, something "happened" that made you throw in the towel and just go to work for an already established company? The OP's premise is (sticking with Guy's analogy), it's hard to believe that there is anyone who works today that planned on working for another company instead of creating their own company. Once again, that ridiculous premise is where the flaw is.

I think if the OP would have started off with something like "hey TB'ers, for those of you who were writing your own material, and then switched at some point to just playing covers, what prompted you to change?" That type of wording does not, IMO, make any presumptions. But the way he worded his OP......well.......this thread speaks for itself, doesn't it.

 

[SactoBass]

This is the most prolific thing I've read so far on Talk Bass

LOL!

Luster: TB'ers would never accept something so simple as "I just play the damn bass and have a good time with it" (even though I personally LOVE the simplicity and purity of that sentiment).

Too many TB'ers are of the mindset that others must think like them.

It's actually quite entertaining! And for only $20 per year we get this entertainment??? Sheesh! It's a no brainer! I'm down!

 

[guy n. cognito]

Exactly. Well said.

I don't understand why this concept is so hard for you to discuss. This is not a business owner vs. employee question. I just can't believe that someone would spend all that time getting an education simple to work for someone else.

So, what happened?

 

[SactoBass]

I've invented a new drinking game. It's called "Let's read any given TB thread and guess at what post the conversation went horribly, horribly wrong."

Anyone want to play? Shots are on me.

Kreider: that's too easy. For this thread, it was post #1.

LOL!!

 

[guy n. cognito]

(And for the record, I didn't criticize anyone. I wanted the discussion to get back on track about the reasons and decisions made by people who transitioned from original bands to the cover scene. Guys who were originally following their passion for original music, but eventually transitioned to cover bands.)

Nice try, but that's nothing more than revisionist history. You were the first person to mention the transition. The original OP did not contain such a line of thought......until he edited it. The OP assumed (and clearly stated such) that all bassists must have started out wanting to make originals. His line of questioning infers that they have either failed or made some error in their decision to play covers.

 

[SactoBass]

I don't understand why this concept is so hard for you to discuss. This is not a business owner vs. employee question. I just can't believe that someone would spend all that time getting an education simple to work for someone else.

So, what happened?

Guy, you are cracking me up over here!!!

And I don't know if boris or anyone else gets it, but I get that you are demonstrating the flawed premise in the original post, and you are trying your best to help the OP "see the light" as they say. Your "company" analogy was pure genius.

Dang, this thread DELIVERS!!!

 

[boristhespider9]

Nice try, but that's nothing more than revisionist history. You were the first person to mention the transition. The original OP did not contain such a line of thought......until he edited it.

That's correct. The OP did eventually admit that his assumption was apparently incorrect which everyone seems to be ignoring. I read between the lines, which wasn't that hard. Yet, many couldn't resist just making this a cover v original debate or go on about how it's not worth it playing in an original band because they can make $100 per night playing music other people wrote over and over. Even if that means never writing an original bass line other than an occasional flourish on an existing one.

To each their own. I couldn't imagine going through my entire bass career playing only covers, but don't begrudge those who do, even if it does surprise me. I've done both, gotten paid for both, and had fun doing both.

And going back to your point where the answer is "well I had no desire to start a business (or insert anything else here) to begin with" -- yea, there is an argument that the lack of ambition in one's career or musical endeavors is extremely lame.

 

[guy n. cognito]

That's correct. The OP did eventually admit that his assumption was apparently incorrect. I read between the lines, which wasn't that hard.

To be correct, you didn't read between the lines if the OP started out with the assumption he stated. Rather, you read INTO his original post, which he ultimately edited when he realized how incorrect his original premise really was.

 

[SactoBass]

I've done both, gotten paid for both, and had fun doing both.

Well stated!

There are many TB'ers wondering why the OP can't accept such a simple concept rather than thinking something must have happened!

We do what we wanna do because that's what we wanna do. There was never any need for "something to happen."

 

[matante]

To be correct, you didn't read between the lines if the OP started out with the assumption he stated. Rather, you read INTO his original post, which he ultimately edited when he realized how incorrect his original premise really was.

I said on Page 5 of this thread (which was 5 days ago) that I accepted my assumptions were wrong. Why are you still harping on this?

EDIT: and for the record I have not removed any of the original post. I have only added to it because so many people gave replies that had nothing to do with the question.

 

[SactoBass]

which he ultimately edited when he realized how incorrect his original premise really was.

At least the OP finally did that! Kudos to the OP!

I'm not sure his edit worked, but kudos to him for trying!

 

[SactoBass]

I play bass and guitar. I sing. I don't write songs. I don't know what happened.

This is actually my favorite post in this thread. Nutdog always seems to come through with some of the best posts on TB (IMO).

 

[guy n. cognito]

I said on Page 5 of this thread (which was 5 days ago) that I accepted my assumptions were wrong. Why are you still harping on this?

EDIT: and for the record I have not removed any of the original post. I have only added to it because so many people gave replies that had nothing to do with the question.

I'm not. Our friend boris is trying to rewrite the history of this thread, and I'm just correcting him. Of course, I'm not sure what you think will come of a thread that started with such a flawed premise, but it will be fun to see where it goes.....

 

[boristhespider9]

I'm not. Our friend boris is trying to rewrite the history of this thread, and I'm just correcting him. Of course, I'm not sure what you think will come of a thread that started with such a flawed premise, but it will be fun to see where it goes.....

No, the OP is correct. You're continuing to try to disprove the premise that all bass players originally want to play original music. The OP abandoned that position days ago.

That being said, I do remain surprised how many posters here never desired to play any original music or have never been in an original project. His flawed premise revealed some interesting information.

 

[SactoBass]

I said on Page 5 of this thread (which was 5 days ago) that I accepted my assumptions were wrong. Why are you still harping on this?

EDIT: and for the record I have not removed any of the original post. I have only added to it because so many people gave replies that had nothing to do with the question.

Matante: I believe your heart was in the right place when you started this thread. I just believe that your choice of words, which had a built-in premise, is what caused such a stir of discussion.

I sincerely believe that if you would have started off with something like "hey TB'ers, for those of you who were writing your own material, and then switched at some point to just playing covers, what prompted you to change?" That type of wording does not, IMO, make any presumptions about it being so unbelievable that bass players actually chose to play covers from day one (suggesting to the reader that something bad must have happened to steer them down the path of "settling for less"), i.e., why on Earth would anyone in their right mind play covers when only writing originals can bring true happiness and success.

I now sense, after reading your posts and edit, that that is not how you meant it. But rule number one in communicating is, it's not how the speaker intends it, it's how the receiver perceives it. I believe that if you would have used the wording I typed in italics above, you would have received focused, valuable responses to your inquiry.

Hang in there, Matante. Once the ruffling of feathers is over with, you might actually get some responses to what you intended to say......(maybe!)

 

[guy n. cognito]

No, the OP is correct. You're continuing to try to disprove the premise that all bass players originally want to play original music. The OP abandoned that position days ago.

That being said, I do remain surprised how many posters here never desired to play any original music or have never been in an original project. His flawed premise revealed some interesting information.

Wait.....was it flawed, or just misunderstood?

I helped you understand your second question, if you were paying attention. You're welcome.

 

[SactoBass]

His flawed premise revealed some interesting information.

That's a good point, boris. Indeed it did!

 

[Brad Johnson]

Are you guys making "real" livings playing covers? Enough to pay your bills and save some money too? Can you support a family with it? It seems hard to believe unless you're in one of the absolute top wedding/corporate bands in a major city being paid 15-20k an event.

It's entirely possible to play in more than one project.


I do two services at a medium sized church every Sunday (all "covers" ). I typically have at least one agency gig per weekend if not more. That leaves most of the week to do other stuff. I won't go into what I get paid but yes, I can pay my bills and save some money. Not sure why it would be hard to believe unless you just don't know anyone doing it. I know I'm not alone in this area.

And an agency band doesn't have to be charging $15-20k for an individual to make $300-500/gig.

 

[dvh]

I've invented a new drinking game. It's called "Let's read any given TB thread and guess at what post the conversation went horribly, horribly wrong."

Anyone want to play? Shots are on me.

Can we meet in my town?