The Official Covers vs Originals Thread

[bassbully]

Perhaps not, but writing great original songs is very difficult indeed, which is why most of us don't have our songs playing on the radio. I agree, everyone should try to write originals, but I know tons of great musicians who can't write great songs, but only a few who can.

Right on! If it was so easy to write original songs wouldnt we all do it to grab the spotlight...cover bands??? Blah!

It is very hard to break out an original song even harder today.
I know of some truly gifted songwriters who will never get out of their area and its sad..some great bands also.
It's who you know and a ton of cash to even get a shot and the window is not open for long.

 

[xgator4u]

I think my frustration is from how awful Milwaukee is for originals bands.

OR

Is it how awful originals bands are for Milwaukee ?

I can only speak from MY personal experiences and observations,
but it has been a LONG time since I heard any origanals bands that were anything better than awful.

YMMV.

 

[ChrisB2]

Right on! If it was so easy to write original songs wouldnt we all do it to grab the spotlight..

No! I for one would not! I'm perfectly happy playing all covers!

You must be miserable! Why in the world would you play covers if you are so in love with originals?!!? I would never be able to compromise myself like that...

...cover bands??? Blah!

LOL. Originals bands??? Double BLAH!!!

 

[bluewine]

OR

Is it how awful originals bands are for Milwaukee ?

I can only speak from MY personal experiences and observations,
but it has been a LONG time since I heard any origanals bands that were anything better than awful.

YMMV.

Probably true.

Thing is the originals clubs here will let any originals bands play even if they are awful.

For cover bands you really have to not only be good, you have to be established and represented to play the better clubs and high profile venues.

Blue

 

[bluewine]

OR

Is it how awful originals bands are for Milwaukee ?

I can only speak from MY personal experiences and observations,
but it has been a LONG time since I heard any origanals bands that were anything better than awful.

YMMV.

Probably a little of both. I have noticed that originals clubs will let any originals band play even if they are not very good.

However cover bands have to be more than good, they have to be established and represented to get into the better clubs, casinos and high profile venues.

Blue

 

[bassbully]

No! I for one would not! I'm perfectly happy playing all covers!

You must be miserable! Why in the world would you play covers if you are so in love with originals?!!? I would never be able to compromise myself like that...



LOL. Originals bands??? Double BLAH!!!

Good for you! Me miserable no. My motto is life is to short to play bad music.
The band I'm in now plays anywhere from 6-8 originals per show sometimes more. I only wrote the basslines on two but they are all good songs. I like what I play and the music but I'm not in love.

 

[bassbully]

Probably a little of both. I have noticed that originals clubs will let any originals band play even if they are not very good.

However cover bands have to be more than good, they have to be established and represented to get into the better clubs, casinos and high profile venues.

Blue

Not in my neck of the wood we have it both ways. My area has been know for quite a few national original bands and artists so to get to the best stages you better be damn good.

We have just as many coverbands stinkin' up the air here but the good ones are well known.

 

[AaronVonRock]

I'll say it again, writing your own rock songs is not that difficult. I never said anything about writing "great" songs that get played on the radio. I'm not even sure if that's the measuring stick I'd use to determine if a song is great/good, but that's another topic.

I've always thought full-time cover bands are cheesy mainly because they all play the same 100 songs. Now I do like playing an occasional cover for fun, and it's a great way to learn how to play with other people especially when you're starting out. It also can be interesting when a band throws in a couple of cool covers in their set and put their own stamp on them. But if you're playing covers you're entire set, you're probably playing the type of gigs where you are basically a jukebox or musical wallpaper. No one is really going to these places for the music. Music is just something that happens to be going on in the background, like a TV set over the bar.

People who create anything original are going to be dreamers and risk takers in some respect. The nature of art is to dream, create, and take risks. I get more satisfaction from playing songs that our band writes. It's even more satisfying if other people like our original songs versus playing a cover (still waiting for that part to happen more often).

 

[AaronVonRock]

LOL. Originals bands??? Double BLAH!!!

I'm curious what kind of music is in your record collection. Do you have all of the releases from the cover bands in your area or from international cover bands? Do you sit at home and listen to cover bands on your stereo? Do you spend $20 to go see your favorite cover band in concert? Have you ever bought a t-shirt of a cover band? When you were a kid, did you put pictures of cover bands on your bedroom walls?

Cover bands are for people who have given up artistically and creatively.

 

[BassGuyFL]

Guy's that play in cover bands are talentless hacks who can't write a good song to save their life. Any fool can learn to play top 40 in a bar band....

Of course this is only based on people I know. Not meant to offend anyone.

I could say that guys that don't play full time are talentless hacks that lack the skills or desires to be a "real" musician instead of someone that dabbles in it.

If you spent more time at a non-music job than playing music you're just a hobbyist and most original guys I've seen are limited to one style unlike us cover band "hacks" who have to play rock, pop, R&B, country, dance, latin, blues and whatever else comes up. Also I'm killing it for 3-6 nights a week 4-5 sets a night and original guys might play 1-2 45 minute sets a month. Playing covers has made me a much more well rounded player and has taken my skills to a level I couldn't get to just "jamming out" once or twice a week and gigging once a month or so.

A former band member once suggested who is the the bigger sellout. The one that works a job he hates in order to have a "hobby" or the one that plays full time and makes a living at doing what he loves and gets to travel. Sure we play songs I'm not thrilled about but that's part of the job. Trust me I rock Mustang Sally and Wagon Wheel as hard as I hit it with something I really enjoy. I owe that to the audience.

I did the original thing for years and I'll never go back I have no interest at all in it.

See how easy is is to generalize?

 

[AaronVonRock]

Playing covers has made me a much more well rounded player and has taken my skills to a level I couldn't get to just "jamming out" once or twice a week and gigging once a month or so.

So now you have these skills. What are you going to do with them? Continue playing covers that you don't enjoy?

 

[BassGuyFL]

So now you have these skills. What are you going to do with them? Continue playing covers that you don't enjoy?

Continue to get my band better and more prestigious (read better paying) gigs.

Anyone that 100% loves 100% of all their material is other lying or dishonest. You'd be amazed how many big artists are sick of playing their most famous hits and wish they could change it up.

 

[Phalex]

So now you have these skills. What are you going to do with them? Continue playing covers that you don't enjoy?

Why would you play anything you don't enjoy? There are tons of great covers to choose from, or the originals that clear a dance floor.

I do enjoy writing music, but I love playing covers to a packed house. I'm working with a great guitar player doing some studio stuff right now. Once we're done, I really don't anticipate ever playing these songs again anywhere. It's fun, but it ain't lucrative.

 

[pklima]

I'll say it again, writing your own rock songs is not that difficult.

But I hate rock. Well, except for the first two Shakira albums.

 

[peledog]

Work is work. Playing bass can be work. I make decent pocket change as a weekend/4-gigs per month bassist. But I have a full time job and my own business. I like the variety of covers my bands play - its a challenge. Bob Marley, Bruno Mars, Van Halen, Black Keys, Led Zeppelin, the Cure, No Doubt , Queen etc.. I like the variety and enjoy most of it as does our audience. Already made a couple of originals albums and playing not as frequently in an original band. So - My life as a bassist is pretty full. And - I practice everyday. I have to. I've got 100 or so songs that could be on a set list any given weekend. Oh, I'm also working on a film score. I don't know how anyone can a) whine how doing covers suck b) not learn something every time you play no matter what musical situation you're in.

 

[mellowinman]

I'm curious what kind of music is in your record collection. Do you have all of the releases from the cover bands in your area or from international cover bands? Do you sit at home and listen to cover bands on your stereo? Do you spend $20 to go see your favorite cover band in concert? Have you ever bought a t-shirt of a cover band? When you were a kid, did you put pictures of cover bands on your bedroom walls?

Cover bands are for people who have given up artistically and creatively.

There are people who buy OUR T-Shirts.

Your last statement is simply ridiculous. I play in a cover band. It does not define who I am. I still write songs.

Explain to me the market for a 49 year old songwriter who has no interest or ability to follow trends, and no desire to put out anything "catchy" or "radio-oriented."

It doesn't make sense for me to involve others in something that really boils down to playing to very, very small audiences, and making no money. What is their motivation to play with me? Sheer love for my creative ability?

Are you volunteering?

 

[bassbully]

Look #1 I still love to play music. If I had the chance I would pick a good originals band that plays a few covers. But after 4 years of directing,producing and booking a good originals band one that played like a cover band ,3 hours sets, flat rate ...I don't know if I could do it.
Although I love the creativity the feeling I get to be in an originals band...hands down. Anyone who say's running a covers band is as much effort as running a originals band is pure foolish and crazy..it's not and yes... I have done both.

People relate to what they know the best and are familiar with ...like covers. Tribute band and covers band if it is done decent will draw people and if your good they will notice.
Originals are the avant garde of the music world...different ..weird to most.
Kind of like an artist who paints landscapes and an artist who expresses himself by smearing colors on a canvas...who do you think will sell more art?

In order to draw a crowd you must be close to the norm musically or sometimes off the beaten path. If you luck out and get that sound that gets noticed fame could be your ticket, if not you will play to small crowds with no to low pay.

Does this mean you suck? No, I know some extremely talented originals bands in my area but they can't carve a market and get seen. The challenge for allot of originals band is to stay together, pound the pavement and pray.
Unfortunately some can't hang on the ride long enough or the band burns out trying.

So for me I will stick to a cover heavy band sprinkled with originals why? I'm 51 and the music scene makes me tired..I'm done. I just want to play and enjoy playing while I can.
I will continue to write songs since its in my blood maybe get the nerve to record them ,play a coffee shop once in a while but for now it's covers and I will stay this way till I lay my bass down I'm afraid.

 

[Floyd Eye]

All of you guys that claim cover band guys are sell outs or have no creativity, please feel free to post some of your original music.

 

[Joe Louvar]

All of you guys that claim cover band guys are sell outs or have no creativity, please feel free to post some of your original music.

I’d die laughing out loud if sir Paul McCartney was to post some songs for you right now.

EDIT: But he probably doesn’t think anyone is selling out either!!!

 

[Floyd Eye]

I’d die laughing out loud if sir Paul McCartney was to post some songs for you right now.

EDIT: But he probably doesn’t think anyone is selling out either!!!

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that 99.999999% of the people here write **** compared to Paul McCartney. I'll also point out that The Beatles themselves began as a cover band. I'd say it's also a fair bet that my cover band plays more, gets paid more and sells more merch than 99.999% of the original artists here.