• 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.

Lets straighten this out once and for all!

I am certain that the proper way to say this is:

  • Original band and cover band.

    Votes: 55 65.5%

  • Originals band and covers band.

    Votes: 29 34.5%
  • Total voters
    84
#26
I am a copy editor. All four are acceptable in context.

Covers Band: You play covers of other peoples songs.
Cover Band: You have been hired to fill in at short notice.

Originals Band: You play your own stuff (but more than one song, hence the plural).

Original Band : Almost the same as above: you have a USP (unique selling point) above and beyond the rest of the 'plebs'.
 
#29
Luke19Boarder said:
I would refer to a band that plays covers as a cover band.

I would refer to a band that plays originals as a band.
Click to expand...

This is what a lot of people are saying, but it lacks consistency.

A cover band plays cover songs. An original band plays original songs :: :: A cover band plays covers songs. An orginal band plays originals songs.

Get it? Now stop the nonesanse there and vote in the poll all those who haven't because you felt there should be more options. There are only 2 possible answers to this question.

Before talkbass I never heard anyone ever refer to bands as originals or covers bands. Original and cover are adjectives describing "band". One would say I'm wearing a "pink" shirt, not "pinks" shirt, ay? She's a "research" analysts, not "researches analyist", a "defense" lawyer, not defenses, etc, etc. If you can argue this, please do. If not, then please change your vote if that's possible and start calling these bands by their proper names. Got it? good.

And don't throw "blues" band at me, because blues bands play the blues. Nobody ever says they play blue music, they play blues. If you want to add the s to cover and original then you'd have to say you play in a blueses band too. If you want to be consistent that is :) .
 
#33
The terms "cover" and "original" are describing the songs being played, not the band itself.
  • If a band plays a list of original songs, they are an originals band.
  • If a band plays a list of cover songs, they are a covers band.
  • An original band, is the band that first performed the song that a covers band is covering.
Easy.
 
#34
Bassin' said:
Calling it a covers band is fine but let's be honest, most original bands are lucky to have even one song that is truly original so I think if would be safer to call it "an original band" if not a little optimistic. :smug:
Click to expand...

Ya can't go there because then we need an altogether new term. Whether we say it's an orginal band, or original songs, you wind up with the same argument. Makes more sense actually to say original band as there is probably a lot more that's unique about the band itself, then the songs they're writing. Going by some people's defintion nothing is truly original anyhow. Not the band, and surely not the music.

The terms "cover" and "original" are describing the songs being played, not the band itself. •If a band plays a list of original songs, they are an originals band.
•If a band plays a list of cover songs, they are a covers band.
•An original band, is the band that first performed the song that a covers band is covering.
Click to expand...

No. It describes the band, not the songs. Note the word standing next to it. Cover band. :) And it doesn't really matter what you call the music they play because you can say, "the band plays originals" or, "they play original music". In which case either would be right.

I think I just realized that the reason people use these 2 words is becuase come people are using the words original to describe the band, while others are using it to describe the music. If you're describing the music, which is wrong, then it would probably make most sense to say originals band. The band plays originals, where as with "original", you'd have to also include the word "music" for it to make sense. As in original music band. If you're using the word to describe the band, then it makes no sense to say originals band. It's not. It's an original band. Or a cover band.

Gee guys, I think I done got to the bottom of this. Now the argument becomes - are we describing the music, or the band. As already stated I don't really think there's any argument there, as there are only 2 words in the term and neither of them is music. When describing other bands the plural is never used. Metal band, rock band, folk band, tribute band, party band, orignal band, cover band.... get it?

Or maybe some you uplay in metals bands. :)
 
#37
pklima said:
But orchestras do "pops" programs, and you even get a whole "pops orchestra" sometimes, so...
Click to expand...

I never heard of a pops orchestra. That might very well be just as wrong as originals band too. Since I'm unfamiliar with the term pops, I can't say for certain, but I'm going to guess it's used the same way blues is. "Pops program" makes no sense, it would clearly be pop program. Gotta be the way the word pops is used. It would be blues band, not blue band.

Boo ya!!!!!
 
#38
Joe Nerve said:
I never heard of a pops orchestra. That might very well be just as wrong as originals band too. Since I'm unfamiliar with the term pops, I can't say for certain, but I'm going to guess it's used the same way blues is. "Pops program" makes no sense, it would clearly be pop program. Gotta be the way the word pops is used. It would be blues band, not blue band.

Boo ya!!!!!
Click to expand...

You've never heard of the Boston Pops?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back