• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

I have a problem with cover/tribute bands.

Status
Not open for further replies.
#41
Joe Nerve said:
I'm going to treat this as a journal entry for me, so only read it if you have the patience. :)

People who play covers and people who play originals are very different from each other. Some play both, but IME there's always been a priority and that's what defines them. I play both, but I grew up writing my own music and knowing that for me there's nothing quite like the rush of having a big crowd cheering you on because they like the music YOU'VE created. It feels a lot more genuine. I live for it. I've played in cover bands that suck bigtime yet play in front of hundreds of drunken college kids literally hanging from the light fixtures (got blackisted for it). It just however doesn't compare. If your originals suck there's a real slim chance you're going to draw any crowd that isn't more than just your friends and family.

I currently play in 5 different bands with roughly 20 different musicians, and do some subbing. I've played in countless original and countless cover bands. I get along with everyone, yet only get close to and really relate to the people who's priority is original music. That's not a judgement on the others, we're just from different worlds. I was going to write a whole list of differences but I think it pretty much boils down to this:

For me and the others who make original stuff a priority - music is also THE priority. It often comes before family, pretty much always comes before everything else. Dayjobs, girlfriends, cars, rent... . People who do the cover thing more often than not put priority on their day jobs, and live a little bit less on the edge. I'm pretty sure every cover band dude I know has a pension plan and health insurance.

All that being said, I love playing covers and clearly see the benefits. If anything, I pay a price for my NEED to do the orginal thing.

Covers pay. Covers open me up to lots of different styles. Covers introduces me to lots of new musicians, introduces challenges (doing a 1st time show with a band of people I never even met), gives me never ending opportunities to hone my performance and craft, allows me to play weekly in front of crowds of hundreds of appreciating people, strokes my ego, makes me lots of new friends... how could I knock it???

Doing originals is the only thing however that can satisfy the something in me that goes a lot deeper. I wish I could put my finger on it, but I can't. Sometimes it's a blessing, sometimes it's a curse. I think it's a common bond I share with the ones I get close to. I think it might very well be that thing that makes for the seperation of the 2 types.
Click to expand...

Yep. What he said.
 
#42
Cover bands = Pay.
Original bands = fun.

Sometimes you get some money doing originals, sometimes you have fun playing covers.

To dismiss cover bands out of hand is just silly - it's what 99.99% of paid musicians DO.

Now, "Tribute" bands...well, unless the tribute is something folks will pay to hear (Think Dread Zeppelin) then I kinda agree -- I have zero interest in seeing a tribute band for a band I used to like but has since died/broken up/gotten old.... The move "rock star" leaps to mind... But hey - to me, the key thing is whatever brings in the pay. If your gig in the Slayer tribute band is putting gas in the tank and food on the table, who am I too beef?
 
#44
jnuts1 said:
my band is two bands in one. we are an original band & a cover band. the cover band is essential to being paid. but the originals are definitly more fun.
Click to expand...

I've known a couple of bands who do this. They all live in a cheap apartment together and play a couple of cover shows per week in order to be able to write music together all day.

Despite what a lot of people are saying..there is a market for original local music almost anywhere. Maybe not for jazz or rock, but in most cities and towns if you attend an indie rock or punk show with local bands you'll find dozens if not hundreds of people who are loving it.
 
#45
Joe Nerve said:
I'm going to treat this as a journal entry for me, so only read it if you have the patience. :)

People who play covers and people who play originals are very different from each other. Some play both, but IME there's always been a priority and that's what defines them. I play both, but I grew up writing my own music and knowing that for me there's nothing quite like the rush of having a big crowd cheering you on because they like the music YOU'VE created. It feels a lot more genuine. I live for it. I've played in cover bands that suck bigtime yet play in front of hundreds of drunken college kids literally hanging from the light fixtures (got blackisted for it). It just however doesn't compare. If your originals suck there's a real slim chance you're going to draw any crowd that isn't more than just your friends and family.

I currently play in 5 different bands with roughly 20 different musicians, and do some subbing. I've played in countless original and countless cover bands. I get along with everyone, yet only get close to and really relate to the people who's priority is original music. That's not a judgement on the others, we're just from different worlds. I was going to write a whole list of differences but I think it pretty much boils down to this:

For me and the others who make original stuff a priority - music is also THE priority. It often comes before family, pretty much always comes before everything else. Dayjobs, girlfriends, cars, rent... . People who do the cover thing more often than not put priority on their day jobs, and live a little bit less on the edge. I'm pretty sure every cover band dude I know has a pension plan and health insurance.

All that being said, I love playing covers and clearly see the benefits. If anything, I pay a price for my NEED to do the orginal thing.

Covers pay. Covers open me up to lots of different styles. Covers introduces me to lots of new musicians, introduces challenges (doing a 1st time show with a band of people I never even met), gives me never ending opportunities to hone my performance and craft, allows me to play weekly in front of crowds of hundreds of appreciating people, strokes my ego, makes me lots of new friends... how could I knock it???

Doing originals is the only thing however that can satisfy the something in me that goes a lot deeper. I wish I could put my finger on it, but I can't. Sometimes it's a blessing, sometimes it's a curse. I think it's a common bond I share with the ones I get close to. I think it might very well be that thing that makes for the seperation of the 2 types.
Click to expand...

Good post
 
#46
Covers make you a more diverse and varied musician. If you're in an original indie rock band, everything you play is going to sound and feel like indie rock. I don't know about you, but I couldn't just play one genre of music. Covers allow me to play multiple styles in one night. Metal, funk rock, alternative, classic, pop punk, blues, whatever. I did the originals thing before, and it is fun, but there's a ton more ego driven BS that you have to put up with.

IMO of course.
 
#47
These guys are pretty worthless: The Fab Faux

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Will Lee - Well over a thousand albums recorded and several grammies

Jimmy Vivino - Guitarist/arranger for the Max Weinberg Seven on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Frank Agnelo - Supports such artists as Marshall Crenshaw, Mike Viola, Phoebe Snow, Willie Nile, Jill Sobule, Richard Lloyd, Ivan Julian, and Jackie DeShannon.

Jack Petruzzelli - Jack is a member of the Joan Osborne band, in which he plays lead guitar and keyboards; and his performances and songwriting are featured on her Righteous Love CD, and is currently on tour with Rufus Wainwright.

Rich Pagano - He is probably best known for the group Marry Me Jane, and has also recorded or performed with Patti Smith, Robbie Robertson, Rosanne Cash, Ray Davies, Freedy Johnston, Joan Osborne, and Mott the Hoople legend Ian Hunter.

Damned untalented tribute band musicains. I HATE THEM ALL! ! !:D
 
#48
Cover bands are for people without the balls to put yourself and your creativity on display. Also, for people who want to be rock stars without all the hassle of promoting, writting, aranging, managing band members, playing a show 8 hrs away to 4 people and the other band's girlfriends, being poor, self medicating, and everything else that makes being a musician worthwhile, and not just masturbation.
 
#49
Joe Nerve said:
I'm going to treat this as a journal entry for me, so only read it if you have the patience. :)

People who play covers and people who play originals are very different from each other. Some play both, but IME there's always been a priority and that's what defines them. I play both, but I grew up writing my own music and knowing that for me there's nothing quite like the rush of having a big crowd cheering you on because they like the music YOU'VE created. It feels a lot more genuine. I live for it. I've played in cover bands that suck bigtime yet play in front of hundreds of drunken college kids literally hanging from the light fixtures (got blackisted for it). It just however doesn't compare. If your originals suck there's a real slim chance you're going to draw any crowd that isn't more than just your friends and family.

I currently play in 5 different bands with roughly 20 different musicians, and do some subbing. I've played in countless original and countless cover bands. I get along with everyone, yet only get close to and really relate to the people who's priority is original music. That's not a judgement on the others, we're just from different worlds. I was going to write a whole list of differences but I think it pretty much boils down to this:

For me and the others who make original stuff a priority - music is also THE priority. It often comes before family, pretty much always comes before everything else. Dayjobs, girlfriends, cars, rent... . People who do the cover thing more often than not put priority on their day jobs, and live a little bit less on the edge. I'm pretty sure every cover band dude I know has a pension plan and health insurance.

All that being said, I love playing covers and clearly see the benefits. If anything, I pay a price for my NEED to do the orginal thing.

Covers pay. Covers open me up to lots of different styles. Covers introduces me to lots of new musicians, introduces challenges (doing a 1st time show with a band of people I never even met), gives me never ending opportunities to hone my performance and craft, allows me to play weekly in front of crowds of hundreds of appreciating people, strokes my ego, makes me lots of new friends... how could I knock it???

Doing originals is the only thing however that can satisfy the something in me that goes a lot deeper. I wish I could put my finger on it, but I can't. Sometimes it's a blessing, sometimes it's a curse. I think it's a common bond I share with the ones I get close to. I think it might very well be that thing that makes for the seperation of the 2 types.
Click to expand...

Amen
Now if I could only sig that, I'd be a happy man.
 
#50
Greyvagabond said:
Cover bands are for people without the balls to put yourself and your creativity on display. Also, for people who want to be rock stars without all the hassle of promoting, writting, aranging, managing band members, playing a show 8 hrs away to 4 people and the other band's girlfriends, being poor, self medicating, and everything else that makes being a musician worthwhile, and not just masturbation.
Click to expand...


Thats like me saying bands that do only originals are for people who arent skilled enough to figure out someone elses songs and like to pay to play to 13 of there friends,but I wouldnt say that ;)
 
#51
You will continue to have trouble finding good musicians to play original music. Here is why.

Experienced musicians are usually at the point where they want to make money. Everyone can understand why, Right? Original bands "hiring" musicians, usually means that no one gets paid. even if the band does get paid, the songwriter feels like he is entitled to a bigger cut of the money due to the fact that the band is playing "his songs". I can see why, but that is why most experienced musicians steer clear. If the tunes are good enough that people can see dollar signs in the future you will have no problem finding musicians to play your music. Until you reach that point, you may have to settle for unexperienced musicians whose situation does not require them to support themselves. That is why it always kills me when I see classified ads for "Local original acts" Looking for musicians that must have professional gear, reliable transportation and must be able to practice 4-6 days a week. News flash!!!! Anyone who has that much time to devote to practice more than likely does'nt have a job. Draw your own conclusion to the Professional gear and reliable transportation. Over the years I have played in both cover and original acts. The original thing is fun, but I've never made enough money to even cover expenses such as gas, strings and food for the ride home. I hate to say it but your problem revolves around money. Other than that good luck!!!!!!!!
 
#52
Joe Nerve said:
For me and the others who make original stuff a priority - music is also THE priority. It often comes before family, pretty much always comes before everything else. Dayjobs, girlfriends, cars, rent... . People who do the cover thing more often than not put priority on their day jobs, and live a little bit less on the edge. I'm pretty sure every cover band dude I know has a pension plan and health insurance.
Click to expand...

This is pretty much it.

It's two different ethos. It's similar to the differences between a company that makes reprints of famous artists works and a guy trying to BECOME a famous artist. Nothing is "wrong" with either, they both have their purpose, they both work within the same medium, the both require skill and talent, but they have very different REASONS for what they do.
 
#53
Joe Nerve said:
I'm going to treat this as a journal entry for me, so only read it if you have the patience. :)

People who play covers and people who play originals are very different from each other. Some play both, but IME there's always been a priority and that's what defines them. I play both, but I grew up writing my own music and knowing that for me there's nothing quite like the rush of having a big crowd cheering you on because they like the music YOU'VE created. It feels a lot more genuine. I live for it. I've played in cover bands that suck bigtime yet play in front of hundreds of drunken college kids literally hanging from the light fixtures (got blackisted for it). It just however doesn't compare. If your originals suck there's a real slim chance you're going to draw any crowd that isn't more than just your friends and family.

I currently play in 5 different bands with roughly 20 different musicians, and do some subbing. I've played in countless original and countless cover bands. I get along with everyone, yet only get close to and really relate to the people who's priority is original music. That's not a judgement on the others, we're just from different worlds. I was going to write a whole list of differences but I think it pretty much boils down to this:

For me and the others who make original stuff a priority - music is also THE priority. It often comes before family, pretty much always comes before everything else. Dayjobs, girlfriends, cars, rent... . People who do the cover thing more often than not put priority on their day jobs, and live a little bit less on the edge. I'm pretty sure every cover band dude I know has a pension plan and health insurance.

All that being said, I love playing covers and clearly see the benefits. If anything, I pay a price for my NEED to do the orginal thing.

Covers pay. Covers open me up to lots of different styles. Covers introduces me to lots of new musicians, introduces challenges (doing a 1st time show with a band of people I never even met), gives me never ending opportunities to hone my performance and craft, allows me to play weekly in front of crowds of hundreds of appreciating people, strokes my ego, makes me lots of new friends... how could I knock it???

Doing originals is the only thing however that can satisfy the something in me that goes a lot deeper. I wish I could put my finger on it, but I can't. Sometimes it's a blessing, sometimes it's a curse. I think it's a common bond I share with the ones I get close to. I think it might very well be that thing that makes for the seperation of the 2 types.
Click to expand...

OK - I am going to buck the trend here...

-1

Sorry, Joe, but there's a very important point being missed (by many) in just about this entire thread.

A person who defines themselves by the tools they use (original music, cover tunes, guitar, synth, voice) is a tool.

A person who defines themselves by what they do is a person who does stuff.

If you are in the moment and serving the music, it shouldn't matter who wrote it - that's not the point. The point is serving the music for music's sake. Anything else is ego run amok.

In my opinion, if the fact that a song was written by someone else takes away your ability to enjoy playing it, you've seriously limited your opportunities for pleasure as a musician.

Once people buy into the "two different ethos" myth, all the rest is down hill leading you further from the point.

Being a musician is a singular thing. It's not broken down into "cover" vs. "original" vs. "spontaneous" vs. "classical" vs. "jazz" vs. "industrial" vs... Those are boxes. Climb in if you like, I'll stay outside and keep all opportunities for musical satisfaction wide open, thank you! ;)
 
#54
BigOldHarry said:
Cover bands = Pay.
Original bands = fun.

Sometimes you get some money doing originals, sometimes you have fun playing covers.

To dismiss cover bands out of hand is just silly - it's what 99.99% of paid musicians DO.

Now, "Tribute" bands...well, unless the tribute is something folks will pay to hear (Think Dread Zeppelin) then I kinda agree -- I have zero interest in seeing a tribute band for a band I used to like but has since died/broken up/gotten old.... The move "rock star" leaps to mind... But hey - to me, the key thing is whatever brings in the pay. If your gig in the Slayer tribute band is putting gas in the tank and food on the table, who am I too beef?
Click to expand...

Yep. What he said.
 
#55
baalroo said:
This is pretty much it.

It's two different ethos. It's similar to the differences between a company that makes reprints of famous artists works and a guy trying to BECOME a famous artist. Nothing is "wrong" with either, they both have their purpose, they both work within the same medium, the both require skill and talent, but they have very different REASONS for what they do.
Click to expand...


I can understand this argument, but it becomes frustrating when a large percentage of musicians in your city aren't looking to be creative.

I guess that is what I get for living in a city full of well paid civil servants.

I have a job, but I make a good amount of time (2-3 rehearsals per week, 4 hours per rehearsal) for music. It cuts into time with my family, but my family understands that this is an important part of my life.
 
#58
tZer said:
OK - I am going to buck the trend here...

-1

Sorry, Joe, but there's a very important point being missed (by many) in just about this entire thread.

A person who defines themselves by the tools they use (original music, cover tunes, guitar, synth, voice) is a tool.

A person who defines themselves by what they do is a person who does stuff.

If you are in the moment and serving the music, it shouldn't matter who wrote it - that's not the point. The point is serving the music for music's sake. Anything else is ego run amok.

In my opinion, if the fact that a song was written by someone else takes away your ability to enjoy playing it, you've seriously limited your opportunities for pleasure as a musician.

Once people buy into the "two different ethos" myth, all the rest is down hill leading you further from the point.

Being a musician is a singular thing. It's not broken down into "cover" vs. "original" vs. "spontaneous" vs. "classical" vs. "jazz" vs. "industrial" vs... Those are boxes. Climb in if you like, I'll stay outside and keep all opportunities for musical satisfaction wide open, thank you! ;)
Click to expand...

Very nice,I like that!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back