I've only ever been in original bands. The only cover I played as a consistent part of a set is Napalm Death's Suffer the Children. We knew a Terrorizor cover but I don't think we ever played it live. My current band is thinking about doing a Black Sabbath cover, but its a low priority.
People like hearing music they recognize. A similar phenomenon happens when a band releases a new album after a long hiatus; people want to hear the old stuff they remember at the shows.
Since I'm not in this for the money I don't see any reason to be in a cover or tribute band. Not only would I never pay money to watch someone else play my favorite band's material, so I can't relate to it; but it doesn't do anything for me. I use music to channel my feelings, it gives me a release from the boring, stiff, placid role that I have to fulfill to pay for food and a roof over my head. Covers of someone else's material can't do that for me. My music is the middle finger I can't give my boss and the STFU I can't tell people.
People like hearing music they recognize. A similar phenomenon happens when a band releases a new album after a long hiatus; people want to hear the old stuff they remember at the shows.
Since I'm not in this for the money I don't see any reason to be in a cover or tribute band. Not only would I never pay money to watch someone else play my favorite band's material, so I can't relate to it; but it doesn't do anything for me. I use music to channel my feelings, it gives me a release from the boring, stiff, placid role that I have to fulfill to pay for food and a roof over my head. Covers of someone else's material can't do that for me. My music is the middle finger I can't give my boss and the STFU I can't tell people.