• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

There must be less cover bands than original bands

Matthew_84

Matthew_84

Nov 7, 2010
6,497
5,101
Greater Toronto Area, Canada
#1
Hey TB,

So about two weeks ago I posted an ad in CL looking to join an original band. Within 24 hours, I had about 10 responses with pretty much everyone sending my clips of what they did. I was only excited about one band, so I met up with them and had an audition. I realized that I just want to have some fun, and play the odd local gig and have a good show and play songs people know.

A couple of days ago I posted pretty much the identical ad, but stated that I wanted to join a cover band. The only person that has responded wants to know if I want to play in their original band! I've pretty much resorted to sending out e-mails to every lone musician I can find and try to organize something that way, but I don't seem to be getting anywhere. It's driving me nuts.

Anyone know of a good way to find a cover band?

Thanks,

Matt
 
#2
That's true. You just have to keep watching sources like CL into something comes up.

One exception to this rule is blues. Even artists who write original blues have a fair percentage of covers (which, as in jazz, we call "standards"). The dividing line in blues is more between originals/covers acts, and pure covers acts (which are usually playing the SRV/Clapton catalog, and the guys all wear fedoras that they imagine make them look cool).

My band's set is usually about one-third originals, one-third covers of obscure blues, one-third standards.
 
#3
This certainly isn't the case in my area. I post a CL ad saying we're looking for bands to fill the bill on a local DIY show and all I get are cover and tribute bands, despite the ad clearly stating we're not interested in cover bands.

My guess is that it's a regional thing. For whatever reason, cover bands are huge in this area while there are very few originals.
 
#4
Cover bands work so they keep bass players.
Original bands don't work per say and when a bass player
is available you get calls.
I did my first original band audition last Sunday.
When I first called in ,the first thing they said was they had
a very hard time finding bass players.
Good luck!
 
#5
Yeah, funny enough the band I auditioned for told me the same thing. Maybe bassists around here just don't want to play in these original bands. I see a lot of ads for cover bands in neighbouring cities, but I just don't want to deal with driving those distances weekly.

I guess I'll just be patient and constantly scope out CL. I really have no interest to play in an original band, but if it takes too long then I may just join one anyway.
 
#7
Move here to west central Pennsylvania and and you will be in a cover band instantly. 90% of the bands here are cover bands and bass players are in great demand. If you are a singing bass player (lead or back up), you have it made.
 
#8
MrLenny1 said:
Cover bands work so they keep bass players.
Original bands don't work per say and when a bass player
is available you get calls.
Click to expand...

Of course it will depend on what's happening in your area, but I think this is a pretty good generic explanation to OP's mystery.

My cover band works pretty much all the time, playing fun energetic 4-hour gigs that people enjoy and dance to... and we make decent money. My band will NOT be looking for a bass player any time soon, if I can help it.

However, if I were in an original project that played 30-minute sets on a multi-band bill... for free... to a few other band's musicians who barely watched, THAT band would be looking for a bassist, like... yesterday! :D
 
#14
However, if I were in an original project that played 30-minute sets on a multi-band bill... for free... to a few other band's musicians who barely watched, THAT band would be looking for a bassist, like... yesterday!
__________________
This is exactly why I have no interest whatsoever in original bands.
 
#15
ChrisB2 said:
Of course it will depend on what's happening in your area, but I think this is a pretty good generic explanation to OP's mystery.

My cover band works pretty much all the time, playing fun energetic 4-hour gigs that people enjoy and dance to... and we make decent money. My band will NOT be looking for a bass player any time soon, if I can help it.

However, if I were in an original project that played 30-minute sets on a multi-band bill... for free... to a few other band's musicians who barely watched, THAT band would be looking for a bassist, like... yesterday! :D
Click to expand...

It's strange, I have made it clear, that while I play in a busy cover band, never to return to the originals scene.

I still love going to see originals bands and I talk with the bass players. Most are in multiple non paying original projects and for some reason always looking for more of these types of projects.

So, I think depending on location there would be decent size pool of these guys.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back