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Why are "covers" looked down on?

#221
Vic Winters said:
How much of that original material did you write? Did you write the melody? The lyrics? Create the structure?
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And the next most popular dig at original music: The rest of the band other than the songwriter is really just a glorified cover band, anyway. I kind of get the idea that not everyone is a great songwriter, but this one confuses me.

Trying to claim equality of cover bands by claiming that an original band is kind of a cover band anyway. But isn't that just agreeing with the premise that an original band is better, and just desperately seeking a way to drag some members of the band down to cover band level?

This would all be funny if it weren't so predictable.

Original Band Member said:
Original bands are better because we actually create new music.
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Cover Band Member said:
Most original bands can't write good songs.
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Original Band Member said:
If original bands didn't write songs, you wouldn't have anything to cover.
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Cover Band Member said:
Well, you aren't even the songwriter, so you're really the same as a cover band anyway.
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:rollno: :rollno: :rollno:
 
#222
Mudcat35 said:
I didn't read the whole thread, so I may very well be reiterating information that's already here. If so, sorry.

I've played in a bunch of cover bands and a bunch of original bands over the last 30 or so years. Some original bands have been really good and some have not been. I've been lucky that all the cover bands I've been in have been really good. For reference, I currently play in two cover bands, one rock and one country. Both are working.

I play covers for several reasons. First of all, I like playing good music with good people, and I seem to find that more readily in cover bands. The gigs are generally better, and it pays better. For instance, I don't have to go play in a dumpy bar on a Tuesday for free.

Here in Austin, there is a level of disdain from original bands toward cover bands. I've noticed that the members of the not-so-good original bands generally looked down upon cover bands, while the members of the good bands generally didn't. I often heard original bands say things like "yeah, I could play covers, but I'm not going to". As I've gotten older, and have gotten better at my craft, I've come to believe that the people who say things like that may be a little insecure or simply don't have the ability to play in a good cover band. Like 'em or not, if you're in a working cover band, you'd better have some ability to adequately present music that is really familiar to most people.

Look, it's all just music. I personally think the lines between original and cover can get pretty blurry. For example, I played with a Nashville guy that wrote a #1 hit. When we were onstage, the only guy who had anything to do with the hit song was the guy that wrote it. I guess you could argue that lineup was a cover band. Hell, for that matter, you could argue that the Temptations right now are a cover band. So, I guess I would say...do what you do, and let others do what they do.
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I know this much. I have never been at some band's gig, and tweeted or posted to facebook how much they suck.

An original band here in town was third in a three band lineup where we were first. That means their fans had to sit through our show. One of their fans kept posting on facebook, "I can't believe how much this cover band sucks. I can't wait for them to be done." On and on through our entire set. (I saw it the next day)

No big deal, but the guitar player from that band "liked" every single derogatory comment she posted about us, AND I HAD LET HIM BORROW OUR LIGHTS.

We sucked so bad that we had a full bar rocking to us, and they were so great that they emptied the place out, and had the staff swearing and spitting.
 
#223
I would never look down on covers as they were my bread and butter for over 35 years. It doesn't take any less skill as a musician to play covers. You still have to learn and know your instrument, how to play well with others and be professional, etc.

Sometimes musicians just want to create their own music. It shouldn't be an either/or. It's all good.
 
#224
FretNoMore said:
"Good" by whose definition? And exactly what is the definition?
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Same goes with objectively 'bad' music! If millions of folks like a song, how is it a 'bad' song?? As far as 'good' by who's definition? The millions of folks that bought the song and made it a platinum selling achievement! The record companies who felt good enough to give it to the public. The radio stations that rotate the song several times a day in all the major cities in the country. The clubs that play the song. All the remixes that come after and lastly, the Grammy nomination or win for the song. That's what makes it a good song! Because you say it's a bad song doesn't make it true!

Y'all really have to get over this nonsense! Free your minds!
 
#225
Like I said in Mellowman's alternative cover's thread...many times people refuse to play covers, only because they can't jam on anyone else's material..including other band members. They literally only know half the game. If you jam with some guy that refuses covers, try and show him/her a riff, and see what happens. lol If they get all defensive about it, you should probably find musician's elsewhere.
 
#227
nukes_da_bass said:
DW- "popular" and "good" are two very different qualifiers. "Firework" by.Katy Perry is popular. "Night in Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie is good. Didn't check yet, but I doubt Diz ever wrote something that hit Billboard hot 100.
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Popular NOW is not the same as Popular for 40 years.

Songs that were loved by millions, and then stood the test of time are GOOD whether or not some snob thinks they are.

Both you AND I need to keep mindful of that.

Flash in the pan hits are just flash in the pan hits. Classics endure.
 
#228
True mellow- current pop charts do not take into account listener requests for Neil Youngs cinnamon girl because it's not helping anyone sell current mp3s.
I guarantee you in 5 short years, cinnamon girl will be more requested than any current Katy Perry song like Firework and it's a 40 year old song!
 
#230
nukes_da_bass said:
DW- "popular" and "good" are two very different qualifiers. "Firework" by.Katy Perry is popular. "Night in Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie is good. Didn't check yet, but I doubt Diz ever wrote something that hit Billboard hot 100.
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I disagree. If something is popular, it must be good. Else it wouldn't be popular. Sure Dizzy may not have charted on Billboard but how many jazz artists did? That's a great tune. Isn't it in the Real or Fake Book?

Again, just because you don't like a particular song, doesn't mean it's not a good song! You guys really have to get over this use of 'bad' vs. 'good' when it comes to music. If I were to use the term bad, it would be in reference to the performance and not the song itself.
 
#233
DWBass said:
I disagree. If something is popular, it must be good. Else it wouldn't be popular. Sure Dizzy may not have charted on Billboard but how many jazz artists did? That's a great tune. Isn't it in the Real or Fake Book?

Again, just because you don't like a particular song, doesn't mean it's not a good song! You guys really have to get over this use of 'bad' vs. 'good' when it comes to music. If I were to use the term bad, it would be in reference to the performance and not the song itself.
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"There are two kinds of music, the good kind and the other kind. I like both."

I agree with Duke Ellington, as you apparently do too. I'd say the same thing about music critics as well. ;)
 
#234
Just my 2 cents on this. We are all entitled to our opinions but one thing that seems to be the consensus here is that cover band guys are just hacks it makes me wonder what bands you have seen. If your viewpoint of cover bands is some weekend wariors hacking through Born To Be Wild and Paranoid at the local biker bar or Wing Hut then I can see your point. It makes me wonder if they've ever seen a smooth polished variety band that pulls down $5000 a week and more playing casinos, resorts and private events. I know of plenty of these bands and they do quite well. Their job is to keep people dancing and the tills ringing. Oh and they get to be on stage 5 nights a week instead of going to a "job" their job is playing.

Also another thing is that gets lost or confused is that these people made the decision and have the talent to be a working pro. They know that there's an avenue to go down to play for a living and that's how it is. Not a lot of original bands short of a national or regional act status can make a living playing and if you can, more power to you!

Another thing is what exactly defines a "cover band"? I met a guy who plays for a major Cirque du Soliel production and makes a very nice living there. He didn't write any of the material so is that a "cover band"? Many people are "musicians for hire" and make a living playing sessions and tours for various artists. So does that make Kelly Clarkson's touring band a "cover band"?

This isn't a knock on original bands. I did it for years, played in original bands that rehearsed at night and had a gig every couple of months and worked a "day job" that I hated. But for me personally it got to a point that the cost-benefit ratio just wasn't enough to justify all the hard work and effort I was putting in to what little I was getting back and honestly I took a few years off because I got burned out.

Now I play in a touring cover band for a living. I get to play 4-5 night a week, get to travel, and don't have a "day job" I hate. Now I admit I don't make the money I did when I was an aircraft machinist but what price can you put on having a lot more free time and freedom? It's worth it to me. Your milage may vary.
 
#238
I know one thing, I damn sure ain't no hack! I play (and prefer) covers and have played originals. Can't speak for anyone else. Did studio work for years when I lived in NY. Owned my own studio working on my own originals and helped produce others originals. I have played quite a large range of genres. I refuse to keep myself in a box. I may not like some genres but I will listen and try to find something I like in any style. May even take something and flip it funk style. Below are links to some original stuff. Just demos for my own personal gratification.

https://soundcloud.com/dwalmz/soca-gruv-with-bass
https://soundcloud.com/dwalmz/afro-cuban-groove
https://soundcloud.com/dwalmz/cold-fusion-demo

And here is some cover stuff.
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#240
Just because a song/item sold lots of copies doesn't mean it's good.

It just means people liked it. Which doesn't mean it's good.

Take the early Blues for example.

That stuff sold (and still does) lots of records.

Is it technically "Good" music?

No it isn't.

The early Blues was/is based on 3 chords...that's it.

Thousands of uneducated workers learned to play the Blues. no problem.

In essence.......Blues is atrociously easy/simple to play. (Over the year they've dolled up the blues in all sorts of ways to give it more appeal and technicality.......especially in the realms of jazz.....but at the end of the day it's a simple format and technically lacking........even though many buy it and consider it "good" music)

Had Mozart been living on the Delta at the time....he could have knocked off any blues tune you threw at him.

However........extremely few blues players of that time could play anything done by Mozart.

Because the works of Mozart are technically more difficult than banging off a blues song.

Technically, Mozart's work is better than simple blues.

In the same sense that a 10 x 20 ft shack built out of plywood is technically inferior to the Taj Mahal.
 

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