It's getting near the holidays, so let's first all pour ourselves a glass of "Christmas cheer" before moving on to today's post.
Okay, I've got my apple brandy (George Washington's favorite).
Original bands and covers. Is it okay? What makes a cover band a cover band and an original band an original band?
I've found this is an important concept to grasp. And if you get it right, it will propel your band faster then if you don't get it.
Cover bands are bands that do predominantly songs already popular or released by other bands. Two to three sets a night at your local pub. The band is the entertainment, but not normally the show. Think of it as a good window dressing. While there are people who come out to see the band, cover bands usually are part of the overall experience at that place.
For example, I live on the Jersey Shore so I'll pick a bar known as Jenkinson's on the Point Pleasant boardwalk. It is really more then a bar, and it has always catered to the teen and college aged crowd. That's because the owners of Jenks also own just about every business on the boardwalk. So you attract a young crowd who wants to party and has expendable cash, and you make a mint. Jenks has theme nights, a billion TV's, radio station sponsored events and nights. Jenkinson's has always had the top cover bands in the state. The Nerds. The Benjamins. You won't find bigger bands. The Nerds were even declared by MTV the greatest cover band ever. Go to Jenks and the crowd is all young. But when the Nerds or Benjamins play the crowd will dance. But when the DJ comes on inbetween sets they will dance just as much. In this type of bar the Nerds are not the main attraction, its the fact there is a bar on the beach in a summer community and you can party. So the Nerds are just another piece of the puzzle.
Same with another bar by me, has a new name but used to be called "The Westside". It was the local hangout for all the locals. Sunday nites a cover band called "The Mangos" plays there and has for decades. They draw a little better then the bar does other nights but most people come to the Westside because its local, close to home, you can get booze at a reasonable price and you know everyone who will be there. The draw is the bar more then the band.
Cover bands also perform the songs as close to the original hit as humanly possible. The better you are at sounding like the original artist, the better their draw and recognition. Usually when a cover band tries and original the band hears crickets from the crowd. Cover bands are paid to basically reproduce the hits of the day and provide an additional reason for people to choose that bar that nite. A good cover band can pack 'em in, and a good cover band can add immensely to the over all feeling of the evening.
Now please, this is not a "cover bands suck post" so no comments.
Now, original bands do mostly original material. One set a night at best, and if you headline you might get more then 60 minutes. They play bars where the attraction IS the band. That's why club owners who do original music often try to get guarantees from the bands on ticket sales. They need you to draw to make a good buck. People specifically come to see the bands. They don't come to see the bar. There is no other attraction. So it is much more important from an original band perspective that you rock it out and hit every time you play.
Not that cover bands don't, but I've seen a ton of good cover bands that some nights don't put out because the bar is empty or not rockin. They know that they'll get another night back if they draw decently. Some have a regular night, which is also important to factor in.
Original bands do covers. Just only a couple in a set. And cover choice is much more important. The covers an original band chooses help define who they are. The important thing to know is that you should NOT do it like the original. You should make that cover your own. Period.
Kay Hanley and Linus of Hollywood have a band called Palmdale. They do an acoustic cover of the Outfield's "Say It Isn't So" that is true to the original but in many ways perfectly and purely Kay and Linus. U2 did "All Along the Watchtower". Much different then Dylan and Hendrix, but purely U2. Performing this song the way they did even helped, IMHO, define them more.
Original bands are the package, the main event and the covers you choose are important. Quirky original bands often find B sides and other non-radio popular songs to cover. A lot of bands cover songs from their influences. I have always covered "Secret Agent Man" and end my shows with it. Mine sounds nothing like Johnny Rivers, but rocks perfectly in my style. Original bands have to constantly grow their image and sound. They also have to make sure that what they play matches the sound of the night or the venue. Playing pop on a death metal bill never works. (Speaking from experience here.)
So original bands are THE entertainment of the night. They are the whole show. They do cover songs, but don't try and imitate the original artist or hit. They are about individuality and different. If you get that you will be better prepared to head toward success.
Cover bands get paid a lot more, especially in the beginning. That is okay and there is nothing wrong with that. Original bands should not be cover band haters. The musicians in cover bands are often better musically then original bands. I love a lot of cover bands and see them frequently. Original bands should realize that it is hard work to make their own songs, and harder work to make them hits and build a following, because it is the nature of the musical beast. And they need to recognize that they are the reason people come to that particular bar or club. They don't normally get more then two chances without a draw. Original bands have nothing to be compared to, with the exception of their cover song choices and how they make them rock. Do your cover songs in a way people like and get you, and you are on your way.
And I whole heartedly disagree, but won't argue it. If you change "often" to "sometimes" it would be a little more valid.
