The Official Covers vs Originals Thread

[Joe Louvar]

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.

FWIW: I voted for "It Doesn’t Matter", because I really don’t give a rats @$$.

 

[Floyd Eye]

FWIW: I voted for "It Doesn’t Matter", because I really don’t give a rats a$$.

I didn't vote at all because I think the poll is ********. Like most other hotly debated topics here at TB, it comes down to this. If you are doing what you like, it's all good. To me it's the same as the Tube v SS debate and the Pick v Fingers debate. Who friggin' cares?

 

[Joe Louvar]

I didn't vote at all because I think the poll is ********. Like most other hotly debated topics here at TB, it comes down to this. If you are doing what you like, it's all good. To me it's the same as the Tube v SS debate and the Pick v Fingers debate. Who friggin' cares?

Those who are insecure seem to be the only ones who really care (seeking justification) - yes, no?

 

[Floyd Eye]

Those who are insecure seem to be the only ones who really care (seeking justification) - yes, no?

Absolutely.

 

[Stewie26]

Like most other hotly debated topics here at TB, it comes down to this. If you are doing what you like, it's all good. To me it's the same as the Tube v SS debate and the Pick v Fingers debate. Who friggin' cares?

Fully agree with the above.

BTW, I guess I would be on some TB'ers crap list as I now play in a cover band with a soild state neo amp and use a pick most of the time as I have some aritritis in my right hand fingers. Just sayin.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Fully agree with the above.

BTW, I guess I would be on some TB'ers crap list as I now play in a cover band with a soild state neo amp and use a pick most of the time as I have some aritritis in my right hand fingers. Just sayin.

Not mine brother. If you're happy I'm happy.

 

[Joe Louvar]

original - cover, tubes - transistor, pick - fingers, active - passive, hair, hats, masks, makeup, shorts, autotune, etc, etc, lol. . . . . . it seems to never end.

 

[Stewie26]

Not mine brother. If you're happy I'm happy.

I played in mostly original bands for over twenty years.
Now that I am in in a decent cover band I have never been happier. More gigs, more money, and even more important, we get a lot more audience appreciation.
Yep...I'm happy.

 

[bluewine]

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!!!

Paul McCartney is a once in a life time artist. All I can say is, I don't think the next McCartney is going to come out of Milwaukee's originlas band scene.

blue

 

[MarkMgibson]

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.

Very good point. I play music for a living - I don't have a "day job". It's not my music I'm playing, so does this make me a "sellout" (I hate that term)? I'd rather play music than lay bricks, work in some office, or do any other job in the world. And what the hell does selling T-shirts and merchandise have to do with being a good musician?

Some people here would suggest that playing original music to 50 - 100 people once a week is somehow more noble. Nonsense. It's fine if that's what you enjoy, but don't knock those who just love playing music, no matter who wrote it.
I guess all those people who play with the finest Symphony Orchestras in the world aren't "real musicians" either, since they play covers as well.

 

[bluewine]

I didn't vote at all because I think the poll is ********. Like most other hotly debated topics here at TB, it comes down to this. If you are doing what you like, it's all good. To me it's the same as the Tube v SS debate and the Pick v Fingers debate. Who friggin' cares?

Well, if you read as many TB posts as me you would probably see that there are a lot of guys that don't even know what they like, what they want to do with music and when they do know, how to get there is still a mystery.

I do get your point, I know one of the most talented lead guitarist in Milwaukee. He will only play what he likes and in bands that play music he likes. He's been bandless for 2 years, doing nothing is what he likes.

Blue

 

[bluewine]

Very good point. I play music for a living - I don't have a "day job". It's not my music I'm playing, so does this make me a "sellout" (I hate that term)? I'd rather play music than lay bricks, work in some office, or do any other job in the world. And what the hell does selling T-shirts and merchandise have to do with being a good musician?

Some people here would suggest that playing original music to 50 - 100 people once a week is somehow more noble. Nonsense. It's fine if that's what you enjoy, but don't knock those who just love playing music, no matter who wrote it.
I guess all those people who play with the finest Symphony Orchestras in the world aren't "real musicians" either, since they play covers as well.

I think the comments suporting that those that play in cover bands are sell outs are coming from younger idealistic players.

In Milwaukee;

originals bands = we don't have any work
established cover bands= we have work

Blue

 

[Bert Slide]

I think we need to expand this argument a little since there are so many cover and original bands of various levels. I have created a list of how different types of bands rank in my opinion. A hierarchy of bands based on my own personal tastes.

1. World Famous Rock Stars
2. Nationally touring original acts
3. Really good small level touring and local original bands that play music I like.
4. Really good local original bands that play music I don't like.
5. Really good local cover bands that play music I like.
6. Decent original bands
7. Decent cover bands
8. Crappy cover bands
9. Crappy original bands
10. Any band that plays Mustang Sally or Wagon Wheel.

 

[ProgRocker]

Ummm.... thanks for the post but this was GOOD reasons you like to play in ORIGINALS bands. I don't want a flame war on this thread.

Then why is the thread called "The Official Covers vs. Original Thread"?

Say what you mean, mean what you say.

Gratzie!

 

[Bert Slide]

Then why is the thread called "The Official Covers vs. Original Thread"?

Say what you mean, mean what you say.

Gratzie!

I think there was a thread a while back called "Why I like to play in an original band" or something that turned into a flame war and got merged with this one.

 

[BassGuyFL]

I guess all those people who play with the finest Symphony Orchestras in the world aren't "real musicians" either, since they play covers as well.

I recently watched a concert of one of the top "new" country artists. The band was all top Nashville players, none of which played on the record. Wouldn't that technically be a "cover band" too because none of them wrote or performed on the "original"? BTW none of them were hacks.

Another point I saw here mentioned is that some have said they never see any good cover bands and I would ask where do you do see them at? There's a huge difference between some weekend warriors playing at the local wing shack and a polished variety band playing at a big casino resort showroom.

I know many players that have never had a "real" job all they've ever done is play music. Some have been successful, some do ok. A guitarist on the same circuit we play was with a top country artist for years, a name you would all know. He probably doesn't have it as good now as he did then but you know what? He's still making a living playing music.

Also I think this is kind of morphing into a full time vs. part time issue too. Maybe that's a topic for another discussion

 

[ProgRocker]

I think there was a thread a while back called "Why I like to play in an original band" or something that turned into a flame war and got merged with this one.

Be that as it may, words are important. Had it plainly stated: "Why you love playing in Originals bands" I would have passed this over for other threads as my experience in "Originals" bands mirrors those of the poster BassBully corrected.

When the thread title is the Originals vs. Covers or some such thing and then the O/P complains about a post that politely described why he prefers cover bands, I call "Foul!".

Just me I suppose.

 

[bassbully]

Then why is the thread called "The Official Covers vs. Original Thread"?

Say what you mean, mean what you say.

Gratzie!

It's obvious you are new to this thread..it merged get on board.

 

[ProgRocker]

It's obvious you are new to this thread..it merged get on board.

Sorry, my life doesn't revolve around keeping tabs on every thread on here. I certainly don't have the time to read every page of every thread that hits the "new post" section..

Moving on....

 

[pklima]

Sorry, my life doesn't revolve around keeping tabs on every thread on here. I certainly don't have the time to read every page of every thread that hits the "new post" section. Get over yourself.

As to getting "on board".... no thanks, I'll pass. I've read enough of this thread already, and I don't care for your attitude.

I think you know where you can put your "merged thread".

Moving on....

Typical originals band guy attitude. Probably doesn't even read any posts he didn't write himself.