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Set list ethics?
- Thread starter Bullitt5135
- Start date
The difference is that I respect all of the parties involved, and I don't want to burn any bridges. I'm relatively new at this, and I wanted to confirm that it's all no big deal.
Depth_Charge, you pretty much hit it on the head, my friend. Successful bands are built on mutual respect.
Depth_Charge, you pretty much hit it on the head, my friend. Successful bands are built on mutual respect.
Technically speaking, cover bands are playing someone else's originals, so by that logic, the other bands originals should be fair game, providing they don't pass them off as their own originals.
On the one hand, it could easily be seen as an un-cool move by the guys in your new band, if you start playing those songs out.
On the other hand, doesn't sound to me like the old band is going to start gigging out anytime soon, if ever, so what are the chances the new band would ever even know?
I say it's no foul to jam on them in practice, and later on down the line deal with the issue if it ever actually manifests.
On the other hand, doesn't sound to me like the old band is going to start gigging out anytime soon, if ever, so what are the chances the new band would ever even know?
I say it's no foul to jam on them in practice, and later on down the line deal with the issue if it ever actually manifests.
bigfatbass
Inactive
- Jun 30, 2003
- 2,420
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- Endorsing Artist: Karl Hoyt Basses
Never worry about a band that has been in the basement that long is playing.
Tell them what you are doing like an adult. If they pitch a fit, then it is up to you to decide what happens next. You have already admitted you are pretty much just using them for practice fodder anyway. Maybe it will make them poop or get off the pot and book a freakin' gig.
Tell them what you are doing like an adult. If they pitch a fit, then it is up to you to decide what happens next. You have already admitted you are pretty much just using them for practice fodder anyway. Maybe it will make them poop or get off the pot and book a freakin' gig.
Jive said it best in another thread:
Cover bands aren't about the songs, they are about the performance. They don't own the songs, they didn't write them. AND, 75% of the cover bands out there are playing the same stuff anyway.
On a side note, if a band can't get a set of covers down in a year and start gigging, I don't think it will happen in ten years.
Cover bands aren't about the songs, they are about the performance. They don't own the songs, they didn't write them. AND, 75% of the cover bands out there are playing the same stuff anyway.
On a side note, if a band can't get a set of covers down in a year and start gigging, I don't think it will happen in ten years.
+1! Don't worry about "Stealing" cover songs. It's a business, and it's all about getting better gigs for more money. Material is definitely a factor that influences popularity and therefore gigs.
I sniped an excellent keyboard player from a crappy band years ago. Maybe not cool for the band you're stealing a member from, but they wouldn't make the leap if they were 100% satisfied with their band anyway.
aikiguy
Commercial User
- Jul 8, 2010
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- Owner - Backing Tracks for Bands.com
It never really pays off to be loyal to a situation that is serving you no benefit, when you could be out playing live quickly and possibly making a few bucks doing it. You're simply holding yourself back by doing so and frankly, you could miss a golden opportunity while waiting for friends. Would they do it for you? They really should understand your need to get out there.
As far as the covers go, I agree with folks here that Band #1 does not own them so go for it. By the sound of things they'll be changing when you meet the next new guitar player anyways.
Peace....
As far as the covers go, I agree with folks here that Band #1 does not own them so go for it. By the sound of things they'll be changing when you meet the next new guitar player anyways.
Peace....
Covers are fair game. Our drummer is lead singer in another band, so of course we play some of their tunes, cause he already knows the words. It's helped us get out and gigging in less than 3 months because of the familiarity of songs.
Weirdly enough, he won't let the other band play at least one of the songs I sing lead on cause he says it's my song.......either way, it doesn't matter.
Weirdly enough, he won't let the other band play at least one of the songs I sing lead on cause he says it's my song.......either way, it doesn't matter.
I ALWAYS have band mates pull in stuff theyre working with others.
I'd rather not make htem learn a new tune
I'd rather not make htem learn a new tune
Here's another thought:
If Band #1 wasn't creative-enough to even consider some of the songs that Band #2 is covering....
...do you see where I'm going with this?
If Band #1 wasn't creative-enough to even consider some of the songs that Band #2 is covering....
...do you see where I'm going with this?
I don't see an ethical issue with using the same cover song with 2 different bands, as long as you don't just take the existing arrangement your current band is using. Go back to the original and work out the second band's fit to the song. This means in the end you may be playing the same song in 2 different keys and in 2 different arrangements, which will be a big pain for you. But not an ethical pain.
I did this with 2 bands and "Black Magic Woman" - same key thankfully, but one band did the Santana progression, the other did the Fleetwood Mac progression, and neither stuck to the arrangements in the source material. It requires extra concentration to remember when playing so you don't slip back and forth or play the wrong one.
I did this with 2 bands and "Black Magic Woman" - same key thankfully, but one band did the Santana progression, the other did the Fleetwood Mac progression, and neither stuck to the arrangements in the source material. It requires extra concentration to remember when playing so you don't slip back and forth or play the wrong one.
Well, songs are songs and many many bands play the same tunes. Even in my circles of hippie bands, everyone plays tons of the same tunes. No big deal. Personally (cause I want to) we have not used a set list in over 9 years.
& you know, technically, I'm not sure a drummer (who isn't the lead singer or songwriter) with a loyal bass player + a steadily revolving door of lead guitarists and frontmen, with no solid set list(s) and no gigs on the calendar really fits the definition of a "band" anyway.
I can see two sides of the coin on this. I think generally, any cover song is fair game for any band. I do think there are some exceptions, though. Around here, there are 2-3 very well known working cover bands who have a few signature tunes in their repertoire. These are the bands playing the big events and festivals and getting a couple grand each show. I wouldn't try doing some of their "signature" tunes in the cover band I play in (which is still getting established, but gigging fairly consistently), because I think it would come off as us being copy cats. Hope that makes sense.
jive1
Commercial User
Floyd Eye said:
You can copy the style a band does a cover, for example a reggae version of Sweet Home Alabama. You can also copy a mashup or medley that a band does, like a Motley Crue medley that features just the choruses of their most popular tunes.
