I have a problem with cover/tribute bands.

[Jonny B]

I just wanna play my bass. Don't care what medium.

This argument is stupid.





IMHO.

 

[Kenny Allyn]

You just confirmed what I said ...

You play 30 maybe 45 minutes to your friends and the other bands friends, play all your original stuff and your done.

Please don't confuse that with what a working musician does working and holding a crowd for a whole night or show. Then you split $1300.00 how many ways after expenses?

It's a learning experience I'll grant that, and a way to showcase no doubt, but it in no way allows bands doing these kinda gigs to look down at guys working 4 hour nights no matter what they play.

... When you can even do a full 2 hour show alone and sell it to a real paying crowd come back and tell us about .

 

[PBass101]

I always think it's funny when cover bands think of themselves as better than original bands.

"Who would want to be in an original band?" they say, "cover bands are where it's at." having fun, making money.

And yet... if there were no original bands... cover bands would have nothing to play! Don't you think it's ironic that all the music you play in a cover band was created by original artists? Without us, you guys would literally not exist!

Anyway, there's my standard troll in the cover bands thread. *bows out*

"Without us"? Who the hell is "us"?

Do many cover bands play your songs? I doubt it. I sure haven't heard one. Little full of yourself, much?

I've listened to your little Myspace ditties - I wouldn't pay to see a cover band play them, let alone you. You're not that big.

To OP - I'm a college student, in a trio, that does a "Heaven and Hell" by The Who/John Entwistle with an improv/jam section that blows away any of the 'originals' bands down here with us.

Because we know how to play, and we know what we like. Originals are only good if they're played by good musicians. Yeah, there's alot of great originals. Duh. But plenty of "originals" are played out by hack players who only do originals because they don't have the musicial insight necessary to cop somebody else's arrangement. Spend ten minutes watching MTVU and you'll see what I mean.

Most original songs ever written suck - and we thankfully never hear about them - and plenty of covers, when played by skilled, knowledgable musicians, rock.

Sorry you couldn't find a guitarist.

 

[TheGrizz]

You just confirmed what I said ...

You play 30 maybe 45 minutes to your friends and the other bands friends, play all your original stuff and your done.

Please don't confuse that with what a working musician does working and holding a crowd for a whole night or show. Then you split $1300.00 how many ways after expenses?

It's a learning experience I'll grant that, and a way to showcase no doubt, but it in no way allows bands doing these kinda gigs to look down at guys working 4 hour nights no matter what they play.

... When you can even do a full 2 hour show alone and sell it to a real paying crowd come back and tell us about .

Hold the phone. I never said I didn't respect cover bands, and I never said I looked down on professional musicians. Nor did my post say anything that would lead someone to believe so. I think the OP is simply frustrated at his situation, and he was venting. He just worded it in a way that was unpopular. I think a lot of us know how he feels. Assembling any band is tough.

I never told how long we played for. You shouldn't jump to conclusions. If we went to a typical venue in the area and told them we'd play for 2 hours they would laugh us out the door. Most places in this area will only hire for 4 hours or more. And we'd make little to no money no matter how many people we brought in. Why would I want to do that? The whole "friend" thing is simple to explain. I don't have 200 friends. If I did you'd have a valid point. I'm a cool guy, but I'm not THAT popular Most bands start playing for their friends, and go from there. The people who come in the door are free to leave whenever. And some did. Most of these people are coming to see my band.

A year ago we did a similar show at the same palce, but we drew like 30 people total for the whole night. Those people were all of our friends. It was pretty dismal. I like to think that we grew some roots and snagged some more fans, but hey I may be crazy! I suppose the other bands and their friend learned the words to our songs as we were playing them, too.

That night my group played for an hour and a half. Without covers. I guess having two full lengths and an EP comes in handy. So you can snub your nose or whatever. It's a 4 way split, so $425 a person. Expenses were covered by our sponsor. I walked of with about $100 shy of what I make every week at my job. I don't use music to live. I play music, and just happen to make money with it.

What I'm saying is, simply because some of us choose not to play for a living doesn't mean you can look down your nose at us. We don't "play" rockstar, we play shows. I was simply explaining the dynamics of something you didn't seem to understand or have the chance to experience. If you have then I am mistaken. I was also trying to illustrate that it is possible to make a good chunk of change while doing so. All of us get paid for the same thing: entertainment. Which is becoming more important in these times.

P.S. I've played in cover bands and it simply wasn't my thing.

 

[rokkitt]

No, mine makes about $600-$1K per show. But thanks for asking.

DING DING - One point you! Other guy zero!


that is funny...


reminds me of


"PULLOVER!"

"no, its a Cardigan, but thanks for asking!"

"yeah, killer boots man!"


(dont forget to tip your waitresses, I am here all week!)

 

[Kenny Allyn]

Calm down or you may have a heart attack before your 21

I have stated twice that new music bands are cool and I'm not dissing your music. You young guys have a formula that works for you the multi-band showcase scene, that's all well and good, but you said it yourself 30 people ...

I'm talking about drawing and keeping a crowd, if your originals can do that stand alone own their own merit for a full show then your the next Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers.

I don't play music full time for a living, I do it because I love it and it allows me two things to be creative in ways other than writing original material and keeps me connected to the needs of musicans. Through my company I work with a number of full time pros and know what it takes to be a working musician and "artist" in this crazy biz, age, insight and guilt by association have taught me one or two things over the years. It also doesn't hurt that the little town I live in has some degree of music history.

I wish you and all the aspiring new artist only the best, when you make a name for yourself come see me about an endorsment deal. Some of the guys that have been in the trenches for a while may come off as a little jaded but I think it's more being a little weary of guys with a myspace, self produced CD and a slot in a multi-band gig coming off as arrogant, with a let us show you old guys how it's done attitude.

... Make your music go in peace and do what works for you

 

[TheGrizz]

Calm down or you may have a heart attack before your 21

I have stated twice that new music bands are cool and I'm not dissing your music. You young guys have a formula that works for you the multi-band showcase scene, that's all well and good, but you said it yourself 30 people ...

I'm talking about drawing and keeping a crowd, if your originals can do that stand alone own their own merit for a full show then your the next Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers.

I don't play music full time for a living, I do it because I love it and it allows me two things to be creative in ways other than writing original material and keeps me connected to the needs of musicans. Through my company I work with a number of full time pros and know what it takes to be a working musician and "artist" in this crazy biz, age, insight and guilt by association have taught me one or two things over the years. It also doesn't hurt that the little town I live in has some degree of music history.

I wish you and all the aspiring new artist only the best, when you make a name for yourself come see me about an endorsment deal. Some of the guys that have been in the trenches for a while may come off as a little jaded but I think it's more being a little weary of guys with a myspace, self produced CD and a slot in a multi-band gig coming off as arrogant, with a let us show you old guys how it's done attitude.

... Make your music go in peace and do what works for you

Hopefully I don't have a heart attack before I turn 21. That would certainly put a damper on things I never thought you were dissing us. I'm sorry if it came off that way.

However, I think you misread my post. I said a year ago we drew 30 people at that venue. As compared to 200+ a week ago. I'm sure even Tom Petty played to a bum crowd or two in his day

I may take you up on your offer someday. I'm always looking for new cabs I also saw the pickups, and I gotta say they look pretty sweet.

Honestly, I feel what you are saying, but it is somewhat obvious that the generation gap is far too large to overcome. But who says a young dog can't teach an old dog new tricks. We did it once with the online stuff A lot of us are proud of what we are doing, and find it to be a slap in the face when someone looks down on our means of playing music. That's why we appear arrogant and guarded. All is well though. Hopefully, you can give me a hook up some day. Only after Ampeg and Mesa turn me down It's been fun chatting with ya.

 

[73jbass]

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.

Congratulations.You just insulted 90% of your fellow bass players.Don't have many friends do ya?

 

[Humbucked]

T-forty... I hear you... don't give up. One day your band may write a song these monkeys will need to work out how to play for their late set in front of the drunken Friday night office crowd.

 

[Ephminus]

I'm going to try say this in a positive and constructive manner.

What a bunch of f'ing morons.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Wow, this is up there for most close minded and ridiculous posts ever. I play in a tribute band. We do it because of the following reasons:

1. We love playing the music we all started with 20+ years ago.
2. We have fun.
3. We make money.
4. We get to play great venues like House of Blues (and have opened for the very bands that influenced us when we started).

To insinuate laziness or whatever, I've been in plenty of original bands. We are now all pushing 40, married, jobs, etc. This allows us to play, have a good time, and not worry about going on the road or trying to make it.

If you don't open your mind, you'll never be a success.

 

[D Rokk]

If you don't open your mind, you'll never be a success.

+13

 

[bluewine]

T,

I know where your coming from, however, original material is great, if it's good and you don't want to play and gig out locally.If your sites are set higher, it's fine.

Fact is, in the local club/bar circuit, those people don't want to hear original music, even if it's fantatstic they don't want to hear it.

I am fighting for my life , auditioning in hopes of of getting picked up by one of the better local Pop/Rock cover bands.

These are the bands that get the decent gigs especially all the cool festival gigs that are approaching us.

Like many others here have said, "Cover Bands Get Paid"

I have to ad this, it's also where all the good "trim" is.

I'm done

blue

 

[Ric5]

Don't get down on cover and tribute bands ... they provide a necessary function in our society ... they play music that people actually want to hear.

 

[bluewine]

Ahh, the twenty two year old perspective. I remember it well...

Yeah, I dig where his head is at, I was 22 once too.

But he won't be singing that tune when he's 55 sittin around with a big pot belly and grey hair.

blue

 

[xgator4u]

Calm down or you may have a heart attack before your 21

I have stated twice that new music bands are cool and I'm not dissing your music. You young guys have a formula that works for you the multi-band showcase scene, that's all well and good, but you said it yourself 30 people ...

I'm talking about drawing and keeping a crowd, if your originals can do that stand alone own their own merit for a full show then your the next Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers.

Interesting that you mentioned and Griz spoke on as well Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Well I am showing my age here, but I personally remember when Tom and company had a different name, same band different name, they used to be called "Mudcrutch" and guess what,,, They were the "house band" for a bar called DUBS in Gainesville,Fl. I bet you can't guess what kind of music they played????? Give up??? YUP they played COVERS of other peoples hit songs sprinkled with originals.Same thing goes for Van Halen, when they were called Mammoth, they too played covers, sprinkled with originals. The list goes on, and on, and on. Well if playing covers, sprinkled with originals was good enough for them, and just about all other bands that "made it big", yet the younger generation feels that this method is beneath them and their awesome skills, then good luck to them.

 

[gweimer]

You could say that any of the touring bands of past stars are tribute bands as well. Foghat may have been big stars in the '70s, but 2 of their key members have died, and the band still plays. So, is this an original band or a tribute band?

I'd love to hear what some of the young'uns would reply to this topic in 20 years. It boils down to this - we do what we want/need to keep playing. I wanted to be the big "rock star" when I was 25, and had some decent success at it in the Chicago market. Life goes on, and I realized that I was chasing a dream that wasn't going to happen by the time I was 30 (I know people that are over 50 that *STILL* think they're going to finally get that big break). So, now I play for fun. I started playing bass for that reason in the first place. I did an indie pop band a couple years back in Cincinnati. It was one of the best times I've ever had. We even made a bit of a marketing push, got a little press, etc. The whole deal. We had a few good nights, but it was pretty much as bleak as others have said - we didn't make any real money, and we played to our following of 3 lesbians. I'm back doing covers (country, no less), and it's still fun to play. Even in the cover scene, it's getting harder and harder to keep people around, or get them to come out.

 

[tZer]

One thing I think is important to point out is that trying to encapsulate bands or people who got to see bands with such narrow descriptions is a recipe for failure. Assuming that people who go to see cover bands aren't interested in "original" music and vice-versa is simply wrong. Believing that there are really two distinct clans of music lovers out there and trying to focus on only one is very silly.

What people respond to is well played, interesting, entertaining, genuine, honest performances. Whether you are playing in a cover/tribute band or a "original" band, if you're phoning it in, people will know and respond accordingly. If, however, you are pouring genuine heart and energy into what you do and show it, people will dig it.

It's entirely feasible to put a band that plays their own music in front of a crowd of strangers and hold them for the night. Have hooks, energy, make a connection with the crowd - you got 'em.

Then you can transplant that same crowd and put a tribute band on stage who pours equal amounts of honest energy into their show and the crowd will love it too.

It's rather irrelevant if the band is playing their own music or covering another band's - it HOW you do it that counts. Continuing to believe that "covers" = bad/lazy/no integrity or that "originals" = friends and family-only/no money/artistic integrity intact is simply focusing on all the wrong stuff.

Do what you do 100%. Be in the moment and honest with yourself (and it doesn't hurt to have some skills) and your audience and the rest will take care of itself.

 

[alembicguy]

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.

My cover band last night had all our creativity with some balls on display!We were rock stars for 4 hours without having any hassle of promoting,writing,aranging and having to manage the band and members because we are an established cover band who packs the same bar that original bands cant get a quarter the way filled.The crowd was huge and it had alot of people happy including the band down the street that was playing originals ended up there for our last set,they were wondering where everyone was including their gilrfriends who danced all night long!Yes it was a blast and I was self medicated and not poor at the end of the night and the look on the faces of everyone there made being a musician worthwhile and I cant figure out where to fit in the part of masturbation (I was tired) so Im done

 

[AlembicPlayer]

One thing I think is important to point out is that trying to encapsulate bands or people who got to see bands with such narrow descriptions is a recipe for failure. Assuming that people who go to see cover bands aren't interested in "original" music and vice-versa is simply wrong. Believing that there are really two distinct clans of music lovers out there and trying to focus on only one is very silly.

What people respond to is well played, interesting, entertaining, genuine, honest performances. Whether you are playing in a cover/tribute band or a "original" band, if you're phoning it in, people will know and respond accordingly. If, however, you are pouring genuine heart and energy into what you do and show it, people will dig it.

It's entirely feasible to put a band that plays their own music in front of a crowd of strangers and hold them for the night. Have hooks, energy, make a connection with the crowd - you got 'em.

Then you can transplant that same crowd and put a tribute band on stage who pours equal amounts of honest energy into their show and the crowd will love it too.

It's rather irrelevant if the band is playing their own music or covering another band's - it HOW you do it that counts. Continuing to believe that "covers" = bad/lazy/no integrity or that "originals" = friends and family-only/no money/artistic integrity intact is simply focusing on all the wrong stuff.

Do what you do 100%. Be in the moment and honest with yourself (and it doesn't hurt to have some skills) and your audience and the rest will take care of itself.

+3dB
best post!


just like to add..
if you're working at all in music, you should be grateful