Orginal band wanting to do covers show, same name?

[gjbassist]

I like this. How about something like "Alice's Other Project," or "The Other Alice Project," or something like that?

Or how about Alice From The Projects.

 

[Milo Spleen]

Do you have a large following already, and if you do the covers, will you increase your fan base to the point where it doesn't matter, and you can do both together? If so, I say the name is cool anyway and your followers will follow you anyway.

 

[monkeyfinger]

We don't have a big following. This is what the guitar player is saying too. I am concerned that it will matter as we develop a following. But I have limited cover-band experience. So that is why I am posting here for advice.

 

[brianrost]

Back in the late 70s when I was living in the New Haven, CT area there was an originals band that booked Th-Fr-Sat in clubs. On Thursday they did country-rock originals under their "real" name (wish I could remember...the something-or-other Bros.), for the other two nights they played as Neil Young and CCR clone bands with the "look"...guitars, clothes, etc. I thought it was interesting that they worked under three different names even though it wasn't much of a secret that all were the same band. I don't think too many people followed all three bands.

As others noted, keeping the band identities separate avoids diluting the potential for Project Alice to become viable as a touring/recording act, even if only at the regional level.

 

[AaronVonRock]

There's a local band here that does the original/covers double identity. Jimmy Revolt is the name of their main (original) band. St. Jimmy is the name of their covers band. It works for them.

 

[Bob Rogers]

I like the idea of different but related names. Alice Undercover?

 

[PortlandBass77]

I would keep the same name for both, it's a lot easier to market one band than two.

 

[Flooflox]

Alice Can Cover?

 

[HolmeBass]

My band actually did something similar. Our guitar player and his wife the lead singer opened a recent gig as an acoustic duo. They played for about 45 minutes before the drummer and I joined in and switched it up to classic rock.

I am in a situation like this, where the lead singer/guitarist and keyboardist play together in an acoustic duo. Sometimes they open for. Even though the acoustic duo is acoustic guitar and cello, and they switch to e. guitar and keys, still causes confusion.

I remember back in college one great guitarist said all of our originals bands should have, "evil alter ego cover bands to make enough money for us to live." His words, not mine! And think of the naïveté to think we could all make a decent living playing in part-time cover bands!

 

[Dogbertday]

Why not be the same band and add enough covers to cover the 4 hours for a cover gig. Still play your originals, just also play covers?
I've been in more than one band that did long multi sets of originals and covers. If it's all the same style it's all good.

 

[rob2966]

The "Original Alice Project" and the "Unoriginal Alice Project" . Seriously, it is a tough call, but I do think you need to distinguish between the two "bands", unless it is a one-off type thing then you can advertise the show as a special all-cover night.

Later
Rob

 

[Liam Wald]

I think that it is perfectly fine to do that.
80% of the songs that Eric Clapton plays are covers.

 

[Strung_Low]

The latin funk band, Groupo Fantasma, changed their name to Brownout when they did an album and tour of Sabbath covers. When I saw them live both bands played so they opened for themselves. Was an awesome show btw

 

[dalkowski]

Devo used to open for themselves as "Dove, the band of Love." Not covers though.

20 or so years ago, several bands on the Boston indie scene formed clone bands and put on a night of tributes. Best band name was "Devo With All New Members."

 

[StyleOverShow]

Alice Uncovered.....

 

[Jazz Ad]

I'd too use a variation of the same name, so people know it's a different project but with the same musicians.
Alice Sells Out ?

 

[drummer5359]

"Cover me Alice" is the name that jumped in my head. But yes, I think that you have to use a different name, no matter what it is.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I would call yourselves "Project Alice in Coverland" when you do a covers show. You still get name recognition and promotion but it makes it easy for your fans to know what to expect.

 

[bolophonic]

I would use a different name and try my best to treat it as an entirely separate band that just happens to have the same members. I would not want to take any chance of someone hearing the name of my originals band and thinking "isn't that a cover band?" This isn't meant to be an insult to cover bands, but rather a nod to the importance of branding and first impressions (particularly relating to original bands, which are hard enough to market as it is).

Well put.

 

[Gasman]

Different names. Plenty of good ideas for witty names here already.