My band flipped on me.....????

[jmon]

Warning. Semi-Long Post and a bit of a rant....

So I’ve been in a successful cover band here in North Florida for about 4 years. 3 weekends a month. Best venues in town. Played private cooperate gigs. Weddings ect. Not our primary job but we made some decent extra money doing it. We regularly had to turn down gigs.

We played a mixture of Rock, Pop, Older Rock (Petty ect), some Sublime. A good mix but definitely Top 40 stuff. Great party band stuff that ladies can dance to and have fun. And we were good at it.

Enter the Corona Shut Down of 2020. My singer and guitarist tell me that they have decided to re-tool the entire setlist while we have this down time. They want to play more obscure music. Stuff they like. (Our drummer is neutral and will play whatever) They want heavier or more alternative stuff. Basically stuff that will clear a dance floor and and a bar in most places. And at the end of the night that one guy will come up and say “I loved your version of (insert some weird B side). Never heard anyone play that before!”

Now I get it. And they have hinted at this before. But I never thought they would actually want to go through with it. So I gracefully left/got fired for telling them it was a bad idea and they will end up losing all the gigs we worked so hard to get and keep.

Once again so called “artistic integrity” creeps up and ruins a great band on a great run. If you want to be “different” and original, then write some songs. Have the courage to put yourself out there and play them for the world. Don’t expect everyone to like them. Play for you. But in my option playing obscure covers is still playing covers. It just different ones that most will not want to hear.

So clearly I’m a little bitter over this. And I am a solid player and I sing pretty well. Lead and harmonies. So I can find another band to join once things return to normal. But wow. Way to bulldoze me out guys. Enjoy empty bars and confused faces when they return to playing.

Am I wrong here??? Geez.

Rant over!

 

[Marc valero]

They should have a little side project for their deep cuts/obscure tunes.
I understand your position, play what pays and gets the gigs. It may seem more fun to do your own thing, but if you don't get any gigs you are playing for yourself. You already had a successful band so why make a big change?

 

[LBS-bass]

You have a beautiful opportunity here to fill a void that will be created when those guys start losing gigs. Find your players and get to work as soon as you can. You might not be able to rehearse but you can get set lists together, get players started on learning parts, etc.

 

[jmon]

You have a beautiful opportunity here to fill a void that will be created when those guys start losing gigs. Find your players and get to work as soon as you can. You might not be able to rehearse but you can get set lists together, get players started on learning parts, etc.

Well said @LBS-bass. And once I get over my frustration I will most likely do that. Maybe it’s time to put my own band together. With truly like minded players. Thanks man.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It's a slippery slope. It can be fun to play some different tunes to set yourself apart from other bands, but you have to play what people want to hear.

 

[Guild B301]

You are right. If you’re going to be a “cover” band, you have to cover songs that people know. They should write some songs. All songs (that have just been written), start out obscure.

 

[jmon]

Yeah I just don’t get it. I mean I’m not saying play Jessie’s Girl and Mustang Sally all night. We didn’t. I’ve always had the mind set to play to your audience. Songs that have at least gotten some air play. Ones people know. There are so many popular great songs to choose from. Obscure and cover band don’t seem like two things that go together.

Even great bands run their course. How do you get tired of playing to full bars and dance floors, happy owners and patrons? I was never against adding new material. We had 150 songs. At the end of the day their mindset was we can play anything we want and they will love it. And I’m sorry but the cover band scene doesn’t really work that way. Not if you want gigs.

 

[LBS-bass]

No, it doesn't work that way, and you can have all the street cred in the world but you will destroy it in an instant if word gets around that you're suddenly doing stupid and lame stuff. Some bands get a bit too full of themselves and self-destruct. This sounds like that situation.

 

[catcauphonic]

Attempt to get the to only substite about 4 deep cuts for the same amount of songs you already know people enjoy by their dancing, and they'll be able to see what goes over better without having to go all or nothing on overhauling the set with them.

Otherwise I like the idea that was already mentioned above ^ about starting another band with them for that obscure stuff.

 

[John j]

Sounds like you have the right plan.
With your experience you shouldn't have any problem forming a new band to fill the obvious void they'll be leaving.

 

[juggahnaught]

Warning. Semi-Long Post and a bit of a rant....

So I’ve been in a successful cover band here in North Florida for about 4 years. 3 weekends a month. Best venues in town. Played private cooperate gigs. Weddings ect. Not our primary job but we made some decent extra money doing it. We regularly had to turn down gigs.

We played a mixture of Rock, Pop, Older Rock (Petty ect), some Sublime. A good mix but definitely Top 40 stuff. Great party band stuff that ladies can dance to and have fun. And we were good at it.

Enter the Corona Shut Down of 2020. My singer and guitarist tell me that they have decided to re-tool the entire setlist while we have this down time. They want to play more obscure music. Stuff they like. (Our drummer is neutral and will play whatever) They want heavier or more alternative stuff. Basically stuff that will clear a dance floor and and a bar in most places. And at the end of the night that one guy will come up and say “I loved your version of (insert some weird B side). Never heard anyone play that before!”

Now I get it. And they have hinted at this before. But I never thought they would actually want to go through with it. So I gracefully left/got fired for telling them it was a bad idea and they will end up losing all the gigs we worked so hard to get and keep.

Once again so called “artistic integrity” creeps up and ruins a great band on a great run. If you want to be “different” and original, then write some songs. Have the courage to put yourself out there and play them for the world. Don’t expect everyone to like them. Play for you. But in my option playing obscure covers is still playing covers. It just different ones that most will not want to hear.

So clearly I’m a little bitter over this. And I am a solid player and I sing pretty well. Lead and harmonies. So I can find another band to join once things return to normal. But wow. Way to bulldoze me out guys. Enjoy empty bars and confused faces when they return to playing.

Am I wrong here??? Geez.

Rant over!

There's no right or wrong here.

You should read Experiences in Groups by Wilfred Bion.

Project goals change over time. A group composed of individuals who aren't passionate about the project that binds them together won't last. Your individual goals for the project may differ from the individual goals of the other members. (Money and gigs may be your priority, while the other individuals may be willing to trade some of that for more enjoyment of their craft. The cost to them may be much less than it is to you.) This stuff happens. It sucks and it hurts when it does, but it is what it is. It sounds as though a change was in the cards, and that's okay.

I wouldn't sweat it. Wish them (genuine) luck, give it some time, and go your own way.

 

[jmon]

There's no right or wrong here.

You should read Experiences in Groups by Wilfred Bion.

Project goals change over time. A group composed of individuals who aren't passionate about the project that binds them together won't last. Your individual goals for the project may differ from the individual goals of the other members. (Money and gigs may be your priority, while the other individuals may be willing to trade some of that for more enjoyment of their craft. The cost to them may be much less than it is to you.) This stuff happens. It sucks and it hurts when it does, but it is what it is. It sounds as though a change was in the cards, and that's okay.

I wouldn't sweat it. Wish them (genuine) luck, give it some time, and go your own way.

Extremely well put. And really spot on. And in the end of it all I did extent a genuine “hope the best” for all 3 of them.

 

[DWBass]

Warning. Semi-Long Post and a bit of a rant....

So I’ve been in a successful cover band here in North Florida for about 4 years. 3 weekends a month. Best venues in town. Played private cooperate gigs. Weddings ect. Not our primary job but we made some decent extra money doing it. We regularly had to turn down gigs.

We played a mixture of Rock, Pop, Older Rock (Petty ect), some Sublime. A good mix but definitely Top 40 stuff. Great party band stuff that ladies can dance to and have fun. And we were good at it.

Enter the Corona Shut Down of 2020. My singer and guitarist tell me that they have decided to re-tool the entire setlist while we have this down time. They want to play more obscure music. Stuff they like. (Our drummer is neutral and will play whatever) They want heavier or more alternative stuff. Basically stuff that will clear a dance floor and and a bar in most places. And at the end of the night that one guy will come up and say “I loved your version of (insert some weird B side). Never heard anyone play that before!”

Now I get it. And they have hinted at this before. But I never thought they would actually want to go through with it. So I gracefully left/got fired for telling them it was a bad idea and they will end up losing all the gigs we worked so hard to get and keep.

Once again so called “artistic integrity” creeps up and ruins a great band on a great run. If you want to be “different” and original, then write some songs. Have the courage to put yourself out there and play them for the world. Don’t expect everyone to like them. Play for you. But in my option playing obscure covers is still playing covers. It just different ones that most will not want to hear.

So clearly I’m a little bitter over this. And I am a solid player and I sing pretty well. Lead and harmonies. So I can find another band to join once things return to normal. But wow. Way to bulldoze me out guys. Enjoy empty bars and confused faces when they return to playing.

Am I wrong here??? Geez.

Rant over!

I get it but those kinds of bands never work out playing obscure tunes and B sides. IMHO, it's a dumb business move. Maybe the BL isn't interested in making money and that's fine. You'll find a better cover band and end up playing those same venues to better fanfare.

 

[TheReceder]

Good luck. One of my groups got tired of playing "the same old covers" and went to "songs that we've always wanted to play, that no one else ever does". We were a band that would fill the dance floor and had to strategically put in songs that would clear the dance floor just to get people to buy drinks. We went to a band that was happy just to see a couple people getting on the dance floor.

Everybody knows a bar bands job isn't to play music... it's to sell booze. When the women can't dance to a song... they go home... when the women are gone, they take the guys with them. then the bar doesn't make money... when the bar doesn't make money, the band plays songs that no one else plays.... in their garage.

 

[Bassdirty]

It's a slippery slope. It can be fun to play some different tunes to set yourself apart from other bands, but you have to play what people want to hear.

+1000000000

Not sure why, but this is such a difficult lesson for a lot of cover bands. (its also the reason a lot of bands play the same songs - because the people want to hear them.) But, it is what it is.

 

[grinx]

Warning. Semi-Long Post and a bit of a rant....

So I’ve been in a successful cover band here in North Florida for about 4 years. 3 weekends a month. Best venues in town. Played private cooperate gigs. Weddings ect. Not our primary job but we made some decent extra money doing it. We regularly had to turn down gigs.

We played a mixture of Rock, Pop, Older Rock (Petty ect), some Sublime. A good mix but definitely Top 40 stuff. Great party band stuff that ladies can dance to and have fun. And we were good at it.

Enter the Corona Shut Down of 2020. My singer and guitarist tell me that they have decided to re-tool the entire setlist while we have this down time. They want to play more obscure music. Stuff they like. (Our drummer is neutral and will play whatever) They want heavier or more alternative stuff. Basically stuff that will clear a dance floor and and a bar in most places. And at the end of the night that one guy will come up and say “I loved your version of (insert some weird B side). Never heard anyone play that before!”

Now I get it. And they have hinted at this before. But I never thought they would actually want to go through with it. So I gracefully left/got fired for telling them it was a bad idea and they will end up losing all the gigs we worked so hard to get and keep.

Once again so called “artistic integrity” creeps up and ruins a great band on a great run. If you want to be “different” and original, then write some songs. Have the courage to put yourself out there and play them for the world. Don’t expect everyone to like them. Play for you. But in my option playing obscure covers is still playing covers. It just different ones that most will not want to hear.

So clearly I’m a little bitter over this. And I am a solid player and I sing pretty well. Lead and harmonies. So I can find another band to join once things return to normal. But wow. Way to bulldoze me out guys. Enjoy empty bars and confused faces when they return to playing.

Am I wrong here??? Geez.

Rant over!

They didn't bulldoze you out. You rocked the boat.


See them on the Dark Side of the Moon

 

[And I]

you're not wrong, you handled it perfectly i think (stating your opinion and gracefully bowing out).

you're also not wrong about the change in song selection most likely turning off audiences. i say that playing in a band that plays literally dance music--funk'n'soul--but it's originals and on-the-obscure-side covers. we love playing this music and we're pretty good at it. audiences always have a good time and we get people dancing... but we don't draw a big crowd or get the best gigs.

 

[Biggbass]

I don't see much artist integrity in being a cover band, no matter how complicated or obscure the music you play might be. Artist integrity belongs to the artist who created the music in the first place.

Seems like sometimes, cover bands take themselves too seriously and lose perspective of what they actually are...a local cover band, many times just slightly higher up the musical food than than a garage band. I certainly have been guilty of that.

People enjoy coming out to clubs with good cover bands so they can have fun, dance, remember the good times that the old songs trigger for them, and sing along with the hook that they have heard a thousand times. When you don't provide that experience for them, then they may sit thru it once but that's about it.
The best part of playing cover tunes, imho, is helping to keep the music of the bands that are no longer here, artists that have passed on, etc, alive. And I think people who enjoy cover bands are appreciative of that. But I can't think of anyone who'd want to sit thru a performance of Todd Rundren's Utopia, for example, by a cover band.
Heck it was hard enough to sit thru Todd's performance of it.

Now, all that aside, if my band flipped on me I'd just move on to another project. You can't change the mind of a brick wall.

 

[buldog5151bass]

There are ways. I was in a band that did a medley of Sex Machine (James Brown), I'm a Man, and some other tunes. We could mix a verse or two of a new over of songs that could be done with the same groove, and only playing parts of a song allowed us to blend crowd Staples with some tunes not everyone does. It worked great.

 

[Droopy_TX]

They will be complaining about "pay-to-play" soon; especially during an economic recovery, as they compete with other bands for an even more dwindling number of live music venues.

I don't intend to wax political, but it is sort of like the Amazon workers who seem to think they are in a good collective bargaining position while millions of their fellow citizens file for unemployment.

Call the drummer and hire him. Since he'll play whatever, he's probably open to actually continuing to work. At least you know his quality of play. Then it's: 1 down, 2 to go.

It's a business, not a lifestyle.