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Is it common in the USA to...

#21
Some of the gigs in Nashville are based on a cover charge. That's what the band makes and the club gets the bar proceeds. So it's not so much a matter of covers verses originals as it is a question of can you draw a crowd? I've seen bands that could draw that were all cover, all original, or a mix. There are also "play for tips" gigs.

The tribute bands I've seen are not any more of a show than any other cover band. They simply have a theme that is familiar and attractive to a specific audience. It's still a cover band.
 
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#23
Around here there are a two well known cover bands that have following, but they put on a stage show with costume changes and antics and what not. Not the average coverband. They are a coverband and really own and play with the genre. Other than those two no cover for a coverband.
 
#24
FWIW, good tribute bands often command a higher fee and cover charge than a more mainstream or variety cover band. They also perform less often to maintain the novelty, and venues try to get them on multi-band bills with other trib acts to attract larger crowds for "tribute night."

The tribute bands in my town are more likely to appear on the large-stage venues that also book international/national acts than the smaller dance clubs.
 
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#26
crguti said:
pay to see a cover band?
I live in Scandinavia, and unless you play in a tribute band, nobody give a damn about cover bands.
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In the mid 90s I payed to hear a cover band in a bar in Denmark. It wasn't clear that the audience knew they were a cover band though. I remember some people in the bar talking about what great songwriters the band members were. My keyboard player pulled my sleeve and whispered all of the songs were written by folk singers like Harry Chapin and Jim Croce.
 
#28
IME (and in my areas): it's not about covers/originals. it's about the ability to draw business to both the club and the band. if my band can draw 300+ paying (band) drinking (venue) fans regularly = i can get any gig in any joint in town....and of course, the bigger venues will attract some fans of the 'cool venue' anyway. being able to draw more just makes you a bigger band --- no matter the setlist.

that said: the most popular (highest paid) bands in both indy and cincy tend to be cover bands who may play some originals.
 
#30
I think it depends on where you are in the US.

In New Jersey, particularly at venues down the shore (aka at the beach), cover bands can make decent money, whereas original acts get jack squat.

In other parts of the country, it's the opposite, where people are more willing to pay to see original bands than cover bands, because they think cover bands are a joke.

I knew several bands who'd play cover gigs to fund their tours, where they'd play their original stuff.
 
#31
DWBass said:
Yes it is normal. Not every spot though.
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You & me...we're in "Cover Town".

So, '70s, '80s, '90s...
I played in my share of cover bands. Always, IIRC, a cover charge to get in ($2-$5).
Some of the stuffy, snooty Oceanfront clubs want a specific demographic (poseurs). :)
A higher than usual cover charge + certain attire.
Full disclosure: We have had some very great cover bands in Va. Beach. How about Oteil Burbridge & Billy Drummond playing together in one of them.
Keith Horne played in a Jazz Fusion band that did maybe 50% cover material.

'90s-2000s, I played in mostly originals bands. No cover charge...ever.
 
#32
crguti said:
pay to see a cover band?
I live in Scandinavia, and unless you play in a tribute band, nobody give a damn about cover bands.
Click to expand...

Hmm... it does happen in the US, but is not uncommon in other places. Many years ago I travelled extensively and encountered it in discotechques in the Far East and clubs in South America, Europe that charged pretty steep cover charges and drink minimums for DJs, just sayin'. If a place is hot, known for a good crowd, always packed, I don't think it matters whether it is a cover band, original band, or DJ, you'll probably pay to get in.
 
#33
crguti said:
pay to see a cover band?
I live in Scandinavia, and unless you play in a tribute band, nobody give a damn about cover bands.
Click to expand...

In the USA nobody gives a damn about original bands … unless they have made it and can sell out big venues.

But there is a lot of work for cover bands in bars, weddings, and corporate gigs
 
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#35
Depends. Some places around here do, some don’t. The musicians need to get paid in one way or another - so if not a cover, then expected increased bar revenues to cover it.

I see “the older crowd” as ones who like to go out and hear all their favorite old classic rock songs performed live, have some drinks, hit the dance floor, and just enjoy a nice night out. They don’t mind paying $5 at the door if the band is decent. They’ll be paying $10-30 for food and drinks at minimum.
 
#37
Ric5 said:
In the USA nobody gives a damn about original bands … unless they have made it and can sell out big venues.

But there is a lot of work for cover bands in bars, weddings, and corporate gigs
Click to expand...
This. Most originals bands in the US beg people to take their cds for free until they make it regionally which is RARE. (better odds on winning the lotto)

Other than that, they pay to sell tickets to play on band night production where they play their 3 original songs for about 15 minutes along with 6 other bands. Their girlfriends are usually the only attendees other than the other bands.
 
#38
Interesting to hear the different perspectives on this thread.

Guys that play in cover bands say that no one cares about seeing original bands.

Guys that play in original bands say cover bands are a joke and no one would pay to see them.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. There is an audience that wants to see original bands playing their own songs. There is also an audience that doesn't want to hear unfamiliar music in a live setting.
 
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#39
AaronVonRock said:
Interesting to hear the different perspectives on this thread.

Guys that play in cover bands say that no one cares about seeing original bands.

Guys that play in original bands say cover bands are a joke and no one would pay to see them.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. There is an audience that wants to see original bands playing their own songs. There is also an audience that doesn't want to hear unfamiliar music in a live setting.
Click to expand...
I think much depends on the population in your area. We have maybe a half million or so in this area, very diverse economically and racially. There is support for original music, and by that I mean local, non-touring acts, but only in a couple of very small venues. The clubs that feature cover bands typically charge a $5 or so cover. The clubs featuring jazz, acoustic duos and such charge zilch.

I forgot where I was going with this.
 
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