I have a problem with cover/tribute bands.

[tZer]

Maybe not, but just because those things are important to you doesn't mean they're important to him. Likewise, he'd be just as wrong to judge you for not writing songs just because it's important to him if it isn't important to you.

As he did...

I have a problem with cover/tribute bands...

...Cover bands are worthless. Write your own music.

Which is where all of this ugliness began.

What I find most interesting is how compelled people are to prove him wrong (which he obviously is) with equally wrong-headed arguments that basically are identically offensive and equally absurd. Then get all upset (sort of rightfully so...) when others respond with, what amounts to the the original, absurd and offensive comments...

It's also interesting (disturbing) how apparently angry so many seem to be. I mean reacting to a genuinely personal insult is one thing. I think it's pretty telling when someone can be so easily provoked to anger over other people's obviously inane commentary. It would seem that if you honestly believed in your point, anger wouldn't factor into the discussion.

Why do you think so many people seem to want to be so angry? Clearly huge motivator for continuing life support on this thread is to try to get one more jab in on the "other side" - but why?

Have we been troll-voked to the nth degree here?

 

[Phalex]

We keep arguing because "cover" people and "original" people are very, very different.

Also, eww old guys.

We're not different. I've swung both ways. The original scene is way too much work for very little payoff IMHO. I get off on playing with top notch musicians to crowded smoke filled rooms of people. Practice 3 nights a week all year long for four festivals in the summer (I loved the festivals! $1500.00 for a 45 minute set!) plus whatever else we could grab on short notice for little pay and littler crowds just sucked ass!! Again, IMHO.

As far as old people go, yeah, I gotta agree with you. And I am one.

 

[Greyvagabond]

Yeah, the pendulum can definately swing back and forth. But all things being equal (same age/job situation, etc), I'd still say there are some pretty big differences. Obviously, the same person who at 22 with a strictly 9-5 job will tend towards an original band, while someone at 35 with a house, wife, kids, etc will tend towards a regional cover band. Great musicians in each camp, so that's not the difference, just the approach.

And its only a matter of time before we are all old and gross! I personally can't wait. Then I don't have to even worry about looking good.

 

[Beyer160]

I never said I would do a top 40 tune with jazz soloing,

That was just an example- you could try it with a bluegrass breakdown or a digieridoo solo, and the result would be the same. Cover audiences only have so much patience for monkeying with the "classics", audiences for original artists are more forgiving.

I noticed you put a lot of words in my mouth, I never said I was a better musician than ANYBODY, but I am a better dresser.

You said you freelance as a jazz player, yes? That means you're better than me, anyway. As far as being the better dresser, I will have you know I have a pair of jeans for every day of the week.

 

[Phalex]

And its only a matter of time before we are all old and gross! I personally can't wait. Then I don't have to even worry about looking good.

The chicks aren't what they used to be either my friend. I suggest you get yourself a video camera, and use it as much as humanly possible. Little something for posterity, you know?

 

[Beyer160]

We keep arguing because "cover" people and "original" people are very, very different. The type of personality that drives somebody to use their precious off-work time to play in an original band is vastly different from the type of person who would play in a cover band.

I agree, the motivation for picking up the instrument is different. Some guys play to make money, some play because they love mastering the instrument, some play because they love creating something new with the instrument. None of these things are wrong, it just makes us different.

 

[Ephminus]

Bump.


MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!! *Diabolical laughter*

 

[Bass Viking]

Point taken. You're right - my apologies for inaccurately characterizing your post.

Glad that's straightened out.

The cover band I saw a few nights ago played some Deep Purple in their second set. But not the usual Smoke on the Water, instead they did Highway Star. It was refreshing to hear! This band also does Steely Dan, Jeff Beck, Allman Brothers, stuff that we musicians enjoy listening to and they do it well. They don't seem to have trouble attracting crowds either.

 

[tZer]

The type of personality that drives somebody to use their precious off-work time to play in an original band is vastly different from the type of person who would play in a cover band.

So I was vastly different yesterday that I will be tomorrow, apparently...

But all things being equal (same age/job situation, etc), I'd still say there are some pretty big differences. Obviously, the same person who at 22 with a strictly 9-5 job will tend towards an original band, while someone at 35 with a house, wife, kids, etc will tend towards a regional cover band.

Or do both... Or exactly the opposite...



I am guessing your comments are tongue in cheek and your doing a kinder-gentler version of trolling here - but I'm going to respond as if you actually mean what you are saying.

I've been in both "types" of bands (and more) continuously since age 15. At the ripe old age of 41, I am still in both (and more) - I also have a full time job (and have held a full time + job every since I was 20), I am married and have 2 kids - a house in the burbs (my second) - a mortgage - house and home maintenance to keep up with - I am building my second bass guitar and...

You use simply having a full time job as some sort of 'life and death' time consumption device - dude - it's only 40 hours a week... there's significantly more time than that to be effective at other things - multiple other things - if you've got the skills.

My band mates in each band are also in both "types" (and more) and some - prepare yourself - are even older than me! *gasp* [soap opera organ stab here].

Along with keeping up with multiple bands of multiple types, my band mates other life things include being a doctor a full time working musician, a teacher and full time artist a retail systems specialist, one volunteers at a drug treatment center helping addicts, and we all are married, have kids, careers, homes, the freakin' works.

On top of all that real life - we all play in both "types" of bands and have for most of our long, long lives. And we are not unusual around here. There are many of us "freaks" who are both old, and in all sorts of music projects - all while holding down careers - not Mickey D's grill-jockey, bill-paying gigs (nothing wrong with them, by the way) - but we're managers, doctors, teachers, and more.

If you honestly believe your doodoo don't stink, you'll stand over a pile of your own making, eyes watering and swatting at flies and continue to insist that it must be the cover band of old dudes playing down the street that's causing the malodorous situation.

Now... IF your comments were simply provocative for the sake of being provocative, good show! Otherwise... Ugh, man... I sure hope you gain some real perspective soon.

 

[Michael Case]

That was just an example- you could try it with a bluegrass breakdown or a digieridoo solo, and the result would be the same. Cover audiences only have so much patience for monkeying with the "classics", audiences for original artists are more forgiving.

This I agree with, now it's getting interesting. But do think that a well done re-interpretation of a "classic" would go over? I think if it's quality it will.

You said you freelance as a jazz player, yes? That means you're better than me, anyway.

I didn't mention that I play jazz to imply that I am a better musician than anybody, please don't read into it that way.

As far as being the better dresser, I will have you know I have a pair of jeans for every day of the week.

I have two pairs of jeans for each day of the week!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Joe, you used to play in "The Nerve" right? Do you still go to Electric Plant Studios? We never met, but I think we may know each other.

Yeah - The Nerve is done with for a coupla years now. Don't go to Electric Plant all that much anymore, but I'm friends with Vinny and we hang every once in a blue moon. I'm sure we've crossed paths at one time or another. Wonder if it was when I was doing originals, or covers.

 

[Greyvagabond]

Haha, no, I didn't mean to be provocative at all! I'm just talking about on average. Obviously there are exceptions! My drummer is a Psychaiatrist with a house, two kids, and a private practice! My keyboardist is a profession composer/pianist with a kid (and a wife who is one of the best Violists in the world).

And the 40 hrs a week isn't generally a big deal, its the time off for touring that really limits you. I could probably play every night (you know, physically), but taking time off to tour sucks. And if your in an original band and NOT touring, you are (quite literally), not going anywhere

 

[txbasschik]

There are places in Boston for both, but they are few and farther between than in Austin! One place I've seen some great cover/original bands is the Plough and Stars in Cambridge (its down the street from me). I just saw this band Link Removed there last weekend for the second time (my friend waltz to a sea shanty with a man with a peg leg. No joke). They are fantastic! If you are every up in New England and looking for a gig, try the Plough and Stars!

I surely will!!!

Heck, if I'm ever in Boston, I'll go by there just to visit and listen. Anyplace where you can waltz a shanty with a peg-a-legged man is a place I wanna hang out in!

Cherie

 

[Michael Case]

Yeah, the pendulum can definately swing back and forth. But all things being equal (same age/job situation, etc), I'd still say there are some pretty big differences. Obviously, the same person who at 22 with a strictly 9-5 job will tend towards an original band, while someone at 35 with a house, wife, kids, etc will tend towards a regional cover band. Great musicians in each camp, so that's not the difference, just the approach.

And its only a matter of time before we are all old and gross! I personally can't wait. Then I don't have to even worry about looking good.

I would say the only difference is the choice of material. I'm pretty sure that people who play covers love music just as deeply as those playing originals. I like doing both, as long as the players good, it's all music.

Just remember THE WORLD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT US MUSICIANS FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES!

That's true if you play covers or originals.

 

[tZer]

Haha, no, I didn't mean to be provocative at all! I'm just talking about on average. Obviously there are exceptions! My drummer is a Psychaiatrist with a house, two kids, and a private practice! My keyboardist is a profession composer/pianist with a kid (and a wife who is one of the best Violists in the world).

And the 40 hrs a week isn't generally a big deal, its the time off for touring that really limits you. I could probably play every night (you know, physically), but taking time off to tour sucks. And if your in an original band and NOT touring, you are (quite literally), not going anywhere

Good point about time for touring. I'll have to admit that in my projects, we purposefully factored out touring. As a matter of fact, we've decided to focus heavily on making our thing a "home-town only" thing and work hard on making it worth coming here to see - or coming to see when your here... You know what I mean...

We had an opportunity to do one of the after-party gigs at Bonnaroo this summer - but declined for a number of reasons - the biggest being it was on a Sunday and we all have to work on Monday ...

So - point taken.

 

[txbasschik]

I would say the only difference is the choice of material. I'm pretty sure that people who play covers love music just as deeply as those playing originals. I like doing both, as long as the players good, it's all music.

Just remember THE WORLD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT US MUSICIANS FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES!

That's true if you play covers or originals.

Sad, but true. Most of us, covers or originals players, if we got out of music tomorrow morning, would be replaced and forgotten by most folk in a matter of months, if not weeks.

One of the local bassists whom I consider to be one of my influences had to quit playing a couple of years ago. Demands of being a single dad to a teenaged athlete while holding down a demanding day job *and* a band became too much for him.

This guy was good...*scary* good. The band he was in did mostly originals, very good ones, with some well-placed covers, and they toured. I attended every show I could get to when he was their bassist. I never tired of watching him play...I learned something every time I saw him.

Very few people outside his band and a small circle of other musicians even remember him. I consider him one of the finest bassists I've had the pleasure to listen to. But...he's forgotten by his audience. Utterly. It makes me sad.

Cherie

 

[Greyvagabond]

Well Cherie, that was a downer.

I think I'm going to have to start doing outrageous things, just to be remembered!

 

[Michael Case]

Well Cherie, that was a downer.

I think I'm going to have to start doing outrageous things, just to be remembered!

As long as you're only playing originals!

 

[Greyvagabond]

Guy dressed as a space Minotaur playing covers = arrested
Guy dressed as a space Minotaur playing originals = GWAR!!!

Edit: Ironically enough, GWAR has rotating members, so its kinda like a cover band!!

 

[Michael Case]

GWAR

Are they still around?