Covers Bands

Submitted by foetusboy on Mon, 2003-09-01 19:04

They get paid a heck of a lot more than originals bands, usually have great gear and score really cool gigs like graduation balls... but is it all it's cracked up to be? What do you think of bands who play songs that other people have written?

Comments

Submitted by Disasteradio on Mon, 2003-09-01 19:09.

.. depends on the band.. I mean the novelty value or the artistic place of it.. for example I'd love to start up a soundtracks or twin peaks (badalamenti) covers band.. and bands like The Moog Cookbook are awesome.. it depends on either what they're covering (is it interesting enough to warrant me wanting to watch a whole set?) or the way they're covering it.

but as far as thirtysomething buttrockers playing a bunch of hits, they just make me laff.. until I see their fancy gear, then I just get irate. heh

Submitted by Disasteradio on Mon, 2003-09-01 19:10.

(and wazzo clash are awesome, by the by.. heh)

Submitted by foetusboy on Mon, 2003-09-01 19:52.

:"...thirtysomething buttrockers..."

Does it really matter who does the cover? Why?

Submitted by Disasteradio on Mon, 2003-09-01 23:03.

hmm that was just the first image that came into my head. ahem.

Submitted by Tama Drummer on Mon, 2003-09-01 19:22.

tell you the truth I'm starting to hate being in cover band, I've been in one most of my life!!
I love to be a orginals band, but I don't know if that will happan in the near future

Submitted by Leonard on Mon, 2003-09-01 19:27.

Get out while you still can dude.

Submitted by falseface on Mon, 2003-09-01 19:53.

It's like the old saying goes...when was the last time you went to a wedding and the band actually played a whole set of their own music??? None, because you'd either want music played from your era, or you get a band in that plays music from your younger years.
If a person or group can make a living out of it, than I say all good to them. If not, then you might wanna start playing original stuff, or perhaps there is a calling for you to do something other than music eh?

Submitted by nz muso on Mon, 2003-09-01 20:23.

I think it depends on the venue. I also think it's a great way to get your name out there. Alot of people i have found will often ask if that person has a cd of their own or soemthing - i think it's cool to start as a covers band, and then -if allowed - add in a few randomly of your own, as well as a bit of advertising. Gets your name out there that you're an awesome band / artist, and can do lots of styles, and gets a buzz goign that they've heard a few originals, and they're great! Or you suck. But weather you're playing covers or your own - if you suck, you suck.

And by venue's - i just mean pub scene, weddings, balls, etc, etc. Different variety's. I think you have more freedom if you're doing pubs rather than a specific thing like weddings or balls, where you arn't the main event. The wedding / ball is. Where as in a bar, you're just expected to perform.

The ones up at the empire are great. They do heaps of covers, adn some of their own - and they have a great rep as good musicians, and a sight to see.

Plus on top of that, i think covers (if you only do a couple) are actually a compliment to that song, artist or writer. As long as they're done well. I think K'lee did a great cover of Broken wings. Also i think it allows lots of songs that perhaps didn't make it in years gone by - that are still great songs - finally get their limelight.

Submitted by Leonard on Mon, 2003-09-01 20:43.

Cover bands can be cool. No doubt. But there is too much derivitive note for note stuff around. A cover should encorperate your (or your band's) slant on a track. However this is a difficult thing to achieve, as the majority of cover bands exists to provide people with pretty much straight ahead copies of the originals. Sadly, that's what people want to hear, and bands are well compensated to churn out fleetwood Mac numbers just like the record. Great for the large percenrage of NZ music listeners who don't want to be auraly challenged by their favourite middle of the road/ modern rock stuff. A shame really when people would rather come and see a band play 30 or 40 "hits" from the 80's than see a band performing new music. It all boils down to listening culture. These songs have been heard on radio and in lounge rooms for a range of months to decades, and cover bands will tend to pick up on / cover a tune after it has been rammed down people's throats on commercial radio for a few weeks or choose a classic. Its a natural progression, cover bands exist to play what people want to hear, and good on them it keeps a lot of people happy I'm sure. I like to see bands throw in the odd cover done with their own flavour, and performed because they like it, not because it was the last big creed number, and 40 pissed munters down the bronzy will dig it. Actually there should be a new rule where bands are only allowed to cover Ramones songs. That will sort it out.

Submitted by iluvtheclean on Tue, 2003-09-02 15:13.

Arc is having a Ramones covers night next week!

Submitted by foetusboy on Mon, 2003-09-01 20:47.

I played in a covers band back in Uni for about a year. There were good aspect and bad aspects. To be honest, in the beginning I liked the attention, the crowds, the money. The biggest gig I ever played was covers to about 1000 kids at an interschool graduation ball. I also liked that I was getting a lot of practise in front of people, live. I was becoming a much better player.
But by the end I had some really big questions about the whole thing. I felt like a hollow shell of a musician- worst of all, I felt like I was playing to hollow shells of people. I don't know if I can explain it any better than that, it was just a very depressing mindset to be in.

Submitted by kittenthlyer on Mon, 2003-09-01 21:20.

One of the best cover band i've seen is Narcosis the metallica cover band! The beam bar went off that night!!! Only crap thing about the night was the large amount of hairy freaky guys....

Submitted by kittenthlyer on Mon, 2003-09-01 21:21.

THe rock shed in Pakuranga always have cover bands on friday night. Of course the word GOOD may not apply....

Submitted by falseface on Mon, 2003-09-01 21:35.

Some good points of playing covers in a cover band are, they help develop a technique, depending on the kind of music you're playing. After all, as a youngster, I always wanted to play the drums 'heavy metal style, and learnt techiques of people I admired back then. I ended up joining a cover band in my late teens, thinking this was the shit. It was back then, but it helped me realise where I am today. I don't play the style I once did, but if it wasn't for then, I wouldn't be playing the band I am now...
Playing covers certainly helps you build confidence, but use it a a learning step only, and you'll realise what real talent is hidden under all color copies of other peoples music.

Submitted by iluvtheclean on Tue, 2003-09-02 15:20.

i know a good covers band (Johnny Fist) who seem to like what they do. they cover 50s and 60s rock 'n' roll mostly, dodgy stuff by Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry and the usual suspects like Bowie, Cash, Elvis, Beatles etc. they take these dodgy rawkus wee tunes and really make them their own - no obvious reinterpretations, but make them a bit more shreddy (i guess that comes from having played them many times over in many venues over NZ). but the songs they are working from are such a great basis that no matter where they go, people of all ages recognise the tunes and really enjoy them, despite the lyrics changed and the roughness reinserted.

my band Onanon went on tour with them recently, and it was a really good line up - a wee Dunedin-sounds originals band supporting a big, instantly recognisable, dance band. a good time had by all.

[ external link ]

Submitted by Tama Drummer on Tue, 2003-09-02 15:26.

Johnny Fist was pretty bad ass, I enjoyed them

Submitted by gherkin on Tue, 2003-09-02 15:38.

Hiya,

I've played in cover bands since I was in high school (I'm 31 now - faarrk) and its great.
Firstly, its a good way to develop a range of playing styles, ie good for actually being able to play well on your instrument.

Secondly, its good money (I guess that depends on how good the band is ) so I should say you can *potentially* make good money ...

And if you are keen on working full time as a musician it can really help having a 'money gig' to subsidise the 'creative gig' or original stuff you're working on.

I'm in a few covers bands, the main one being THAT 80s BAND - 80s pop covers (all the really bad ones - Bon Jovi, Culture Club, Wham, Duran Duran etc) and I have to say that we have had some wicked gigs - so fun seeing everyone remembering the songs they were in high school with. (Well, I am 31)

Anyway, so I guess it depends what you're in it for, but I've found it to be a cool money spinner, and fun as well.....

(except for playing in guitar in a sequenced band (no drums or bass - just me & 2 singers) in the old Bull and Bear to like, 3 people.. uuggghh

Cheers

[ http://www.80sband.2ya.com ]

Submitted by kittenthlyer on Tue, 2003-09-02 15:41.

what a old fart! Lol

Submitted by Leonard on Tue, 2003-09-02 15:48.

why are you so annoying?

Submitted by noizyboy on Tue, 2003-09-02 16:18.

anyway, what's more offensive?
an old fart, or a young shit?

Submitted by gherkin on Tue, 2003-09-02 16:02.

Tell us about the music & bands *you've* played in, kittenthlyer!

Just curious....

[ http://www.gherkin.vze.com ]

Submitted by kittenthlyer on Tue, 2003-09-02 16:03.

im not in a band dude :P

Submitted by gherkin on Tue, 2003-09-02 16:04.

Oh, ok. a spectator.

Submitted by kittenthlyer on Tue, 2003-09-02 16:06.

yep, a groupie

Submitted by Leonard on Tue, 2003-09-02 16:09.

The Pamela De Barres of this site.

Submitted by gherkin on Tue, 2003-09-02 16:15.

aha, i see.

Mind you, in relative terms, I *am* an old fart, so I can't argue with that....

[ http://gherkin.vze.com ]

Submitted by riotgirlbass on Wed, 2003-09-03 01:16.

Dude, I'm in a band, but I'm trying to start up a side-project covers band with my geetarist, and the drummer and singer from our sister band. It's gonna be 'let's cover random songs and turn them electro-rap'. Electro-rap will be the new The Datsuns.

[ http://riot-girl.cjb.net ]

Submitted by gherkin on Wed, 2003-09-03 16:34.

This whole breakdancing revival is bringing back some real cool old school rap, like Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Scorpio, Electric Boogaloo, Freakazoids, etc..... Shit, I even heard " The Smurf " by HH the other day...I'm just waiting for the re-release of the BeatStreet soundtrack....