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Covers or originals?


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Me? Both.

 

I've been in 2 completely original bands, and a bunch of cover bands.

 

Here's what I've learned:

 

1. Original bands don't make much money compared to cover bands.

 

2. The original gigs are more of a pain because there are usually 2 to 4 bands on a given night, and all of them have egos because they're "about to be signed".

 

3. I've seen more original bands that suck than cover bands that suck. Why? When you play covers, you pick the best of the songwriters. Most local original bands are lucky to have 2 or 3 decent songs.

 

4. I always see much more crowd response in a cover band. Face it, most bar patrons are there to have a good time with pals, not to focus on original music. unless they happen to be a musician - then they just stand in the back telling everyone who'll listen how they can do it better.

 

5. Cover bands have the opportunity to play multiple times in a month. Most original bands are lucky to get 2 gigs a month.

 

I absolutely love the process of writing. I also love performing original tunes. But now I only throw in a couple in with the covers that we do. I like to play, and I like to get paid to play. So, I use the original music to satisfy my need to create at home and in the studio, and use the cover gig at the clubs to satisfy my need to perform while getting paid to do so.

 

Having been in both situations (originals for much longer than covers), and for all the reasons I've listed, I've come to prefer to do primarily covers with a few originals thrown in. And for the life of me, I can't understand why so many original guys have a superiority complex! Good music is good music, regardless of who wrote it.

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This is the basic question for all who labor in musical pursuits.

 

For me, the two don't have to be mutually exclusive.

 

It depends on what the band is trying to achieve...are they wanting to be a club band, or are they more into doing shows with other bands on the bill? Or a little of both, perhaps?

 

Side projects can help with this. Say you've just joined a great moneymaking band in town...all covers. Have another project on the side that does originals. Heck, even famous players do this. Suppose for example that I was a hired guitarist for some big act...say (just for argument's sake) Sting or someone. Playing that gig would be sort of akin to playing in a cover band that covered all Sting tunes. It's his show, not mine. To get my ya-yas out though, I have a side project that highlights my own songwriting. The violin player from the Dave Matthews Band, for example, does this, as well as I think the drummer...Carter Beauford, did a project with Victor Wooten.

 

But, thinking a bit further, and getting back down to earth...covers have a great advantage in hooking people in to your band. People like familiarity...and cover tunes provide that. Doesn't have to be all of either.

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I'd say that's a yes, Johnny. As a matter of fact, I'll go one further...in that famous artists that go on tour playing their old hits are in effect "covering their own material". That's what audiences want to hear. If you go to hear, say, the Stones...and they only play stuff off their latest CD, there'll be a lot of pissed off fans who came to hear, say, "Brown Sugar", for example. Perhaps most true of "franchise" acts, who have none of the original members, or maybe only one, but are touring with the original name, such as "The Platters", or the current lineup of "The Temptations".

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Originally posted by Shovelhead


And for the life of me, I can't understand why so many original guys have a superiority complex! Good music is good music, regardless of who wrote it.

 

I grant you that there are a lot of really crappy original acts out there with musicians that have more ambition then talent. But it's much harder to write a set of good tunes than it is to just play a set of other peoples good tunes. That's why original guys have a superiority complex, it's because they're superior! (At least when they don't competely suck).:D

 

I like playing cover tunes, that's why I get together with some friends every other weekend and jam on covers. It's good for my chops, it helps me work out technical ideas with my gear, and it's great fun. I've done cover gig's, I got paid and it was a goof, but I can't relagate myself to being a dedicated cover band guy.

 

When it comes to preforming live, I'd rather play original material, I've got some good songs, I've got something to say, and it's just a lot cooler to do. I know it's gonna piss some people off to say it, but doing covers live just seems a little lame to me.

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What I tend to see in original bands are people who will write music THEY want to hear, but don't really think much about what other people want to hear. So they end up alienating their fanbase before they create it. WIth a cover band, you usually do it the other way around. So of course it's going to be more successful.

 

Another issue seems to be the lack of originality of original music. At least around my area there are 2 kinds of original bands: metal and death metal. I can't remember the last time I saw just a regular original rock band or any other type of band for that matter.

 

People need to realize that someone is going to be listening to your music, so you need to cater to that. Too many people label that as "selling out." But if no one wants to hear your music, then you're better off playing in your bedroom.

 

I'd much rather see an awesome original band than an awesome cover band, but sadly I haven't seen one in years. That's why most clubs in CT refuse to book original bands. But because of the dominance of cover bands, alot of clubs are starting to stop having bands altogether because every band ends up sounding the same. They may as well just have a DJ that's cheaper.

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Originally posted by Shovelhead

Me? Both.


I've been in 2 completely original bands, and a bunch of cover bands.


Here's what I've learned:


1. Original bands don't make much money compared to cover bands.


2. The original gigs are more of a pain because there are usually 2 to 4 bands on a given night, and all of them have egos because they're "about to be signed".


3. I've seen more original bands that suck than cover bands that suck. Why? When you play covers, you pick the best of the songwriters. Most local original bands are
lucky
to have 2 or 3 decent songs.


4. I always see much more crowd response in a cover band. Face it, most bar patrons are there to have a good time with pals, not to focus on original music. unless they happen to be a musician - then they just stand in the back telling everyone who'll listen how they can do it better.


5. Cover bands have the opportunity to play multiple times in a month. Most original bands are lucky to get 2 gigs a month.


I absolutely love the process of writing. I also love performing original tunes. But now I only throw in a couple in with the covers that we do. I like to play, and I like to get paid to play. So, I use the original music to satisfy my need to create at home and in the studio, and use the cover gig at the clubs to satisfy my need to perform while getting paid to do so.


Having been in both situations (originals for much longer than covers), and for all the reasons I've listed, I've come to prefer to do primarily covers with a few originals thrown in. And for the life of me, I can't understand why so many original guys have a superiority complex! Good music is good music, regardless of who wrote it.

 

Excellent post! :)

 

I've been in both originals and covers bands. I love both. Each has its challenges.

 

Right now (for the past 3 years) I've been playing in a covers-bar band.

 

For 15 years before that I was playing originals.

 

Before that I was playing covers.

 

Before that I was learning how to play by copying covers.

 

Before that Dinosaurs roamed the Earth. :(:eek:

 

:)

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Originally posted by Shovelhead

Me? Both.


I've been in 2 completely original bands, and a bunch of cover bands.


Here's what I've learned:


1. Original bands don't make much money compared to cover bands.


2. The original gigs are more of a pain because there are usually 2 to 4 bands on a given night, and all of them have egos because they're "about to be signed".


3. I've seen more original bands that suck than cover bands that suck. Why? When you play covers, you pick the best of the songwriters. Most local original bands are
lucky
to have 2 or 3 decent songs.


4. I always see much more crowd response in a cover band. Face it, most bar patrons are there to have a good time with pals, not to focus on original music. unless they happen to be a musician - then they just stand in the back telling everyone who'll listen how they can do it better.


5. Cover bands have the opportunity to play multiple times in a month. Most original bands are lucky to get 2 gigs a month.


I absolutely love the process of writing. I also love performing original tunes. But now I only throw in a couple in with the covers that we do. I like to play, and I like to get paid to play. So, I use the original music to satisfy my need to create at home and in the studio, and use the cover gig at the clubs to satisfy my need to perform while getting paid to do so.


Having been in both situations (originals for much longer than covers), and for all the reasons I've listed, I've come to prefer to do primarily covers with a few originals thrown in. And for the life of me, I can't understand why so many original guys have a superiority complex! Good music is good music, regardless of who wrote it.

 

Heya Shovelhead(You Into Harleys??)

You prettwell nailed it with your post. Its been the other way around for me though. Mostly cover bands and a couple of original bands. Never made a cent with the original bands.

 

I guess I been "selling out" most of my musical life. It has helped pay the bills and has paid for all of my gear. That being said, I just about orgasm when some one comments positively about one of the many original tunes Ive recorded.

 

Doing strictly originals is a tuff road to hoe and the chances of commercial success has the same odds as a winning lottery ticket,...... unfortunatly.

I have experienced the 'Superior" attitude from a few guys but they were the ones that sucked. THe real good original guys/gals are usually pretty positive, around here anyways, as they realize "word of mouth" advertising can help or hurt bigtime depending on their attitude.

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Originally posted by fastplant


Another issue seems to be the lack of originality of original music. At least around my area there are 2 kinds of original bands: metal and death metal. I can't remember the last time I saw just a regular original rock band or any other type of band for that matter.

 

 

amen to that. And most of these bands can't write a hook to save their lives.

 

That said, I totally respect original music and do some writing myself. But I don't respect people who bash cover bands. I am content to do covers as a hobby and treat it as it is. As long as said cover bands don't have attitudes/act like they are rockstars, I think you should give them respect. It is what it is.

 

And for those who think it's "sad" or whatever, I would contend that it's equally sad for a bunch of guys in their 30's thinking they will "make it" as an original band.

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Originally posted by Shovelhead

Me? Both.


I've been in 2 completely original bands, and a bunch of cover bands.


Here's what I've learned:


1. Original bands don't make much money compared to cover bands.


2. The original gigs are more of a pain because there are usually 2 to 4 bands on a given night, and all of them have egos because they're "about to be signed".


3. I've seen more original bands that suck than cover bands that suck. Why? When you play covers, you pick the best of the songwriters. Most local original bands are
lucky
to have 2 or 3 decent songs.


4. I always see much more crowd response in a cover band. Face it, most bar patrons are there to have a good time with pals, not to focus on original music. unless they happen to be a musician - then they just stand in the back telling everyone who'll listen how they can do it better.


5. Cover bands have the opportunity to play multiple times in a month. Most original bands are lucky to get 2 gigs a month.


I absolutely love the process of writing. I also love performing original tunes. But now I only throw in a couple in with the covers that we do. I like to play, and I like to get paid to play. So, I use the original music to satisfy my need to create at home and in the studio, and use the cover gig at the clubs to satisfy my need to perform while getting paid to do so.


Having been in both situations (originals for much longer than covers), and for all the reasons I've listed, I've come to prefer to do primarily covers with a few originals thrown in. And for the life of me, I can't understand why so many original guys have a superiority complex! Good music is good music, regardless of who wrote it.

 

 

 

Exactly! I've found that a ratio of 1/3 originals to 2/3 good covers works out great!

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Originally posted by worthyjoe



amen to that. And most of these bands can't write a hook to save their lives.


That said, I totally respect original music and do some writing myself. But I don't respect people who bash cover bands. I am content to do covers as a hobby and treat it as it is. As long as said cover bands don't have attitudes/act like they are rockstars, I think you should give them respect. It is what it is.


And for those who think it's "sad" or whatever, I would contend that it's equally sad for a bunch of guys in their 30's thinking they will "make it" as an original band.

 

 

I don't think it's as "sad" as it was in say the early 90's/80's. There's alot more "older" people being signed nowadays. Although, I do tend to see alot of older guys (30's/40's) still with the long hair and rocking out carbon-copy Dokken ripoffs and assuming they're going to be the next Dio. That's a little sad in my opinion. You have to change with the times at least a little. But if you're good, you can easily be signed at an older age.

 

That said, my intention with original music is more for myself. I just want to get out there once in a while and play songs I wrote for people. I'm not going to fool myself into thinking that I'm going to "make it." I just want to enjoy playing my music to people.

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Originally posted by fastplant

What I tend to see in original bands are people who will write music THEY want to hear, but don't really think much about what other people want to hear. So they end up alienating their fanbase before they create it. WIth a cover band, you usually do it the other way around. So of course it's going to be more successful.

 

Yes, that seems to be the mentality now on both sides.

 

Trouble is... do you think all those covers that everyone now wants to hear, were originally written with "what other people want to hear" in mind? Some of 'em, no doubt. Others were just a couple of guys in a bedroom writing what they wanted to write. Of course, for every one of those guys there are thousands more who write what they want to write but nobody wants to hear it. And there are also people who do consider "what other people want to hear" when they write, and STILL nobody wants to hear it :D, or they just come up with formulaic drivel.

 

That's the trouble: real art comes from within, and there's really no telling what's going to catch on with the public. It's a crapshoot. That shouldn't stop anybody from doing it and they don't suck for trying, even if we might think the results suck. :D

 

On the flip side, cover bands were different at one time too. I've been in cover bands that made good money and we didn't have to play the same tired covers all the time. We could, again, play what we liked and enjoyed playing, and throw in some originals too. Now the big money cover gigs come from agencies who have strictly regimented playlists just like radio does.

 

I think the bottom line is that audiences are much less open to new things than they ever used to be. They want to hear what they expect to hear and little more. It doesn't occur to them that somebody might have written a better song than "Freebird" by now. And at the same time, the marketing aspects of music (both original and cover) has been refined to such an artform that there are tons of bands running around doing nothing but catering to a market demographic instead of creating music.

 

I think original and cover bands both have their place, and my band does cover gigs sometimes to finance some of our other projects, but I think the potential for lameness on both sides has gone way, way up in the last few years.

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I currently play in a cover band, mostly because we're having so much fun we just can't stop! We play almost every weekend, everywhere across the province, in front of young people, old people, drunk people, ugly people. Our mix of classic and hard rock, with some metal sprinkled on seems to work pretty much everywhere we play. We always have a blast, make enough money to pay for our "more than we need" equipment, travel, meet people.

 

Yet I long for some original material. I love songwriting and I've been doing it since I got my first electric guitar at 12. Problem is, we gig so often, we don't have the time to write songs (when you're gone whole weekend at a time, your family wants you at home during the week!). So I'm torn: do I quit the cover act and risk never making it with my own stuff, or abandon the rock star ambition and keep having a blast as long as it lasts? I could never find another band like the one I play in, we're just not your typical cover band...

 

Ah well, at least in the meantime I'm getting lots of stage experience. I just hope this will come handy one day!

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Originally posted by fastplant

Another issue seems to be the lack of originality of original music.

 

This touches on my pet peeve: In today's popular music, is lead guitar dead? Or are the musicians simply incapable of playing an interesting lead?

 

Think of the recognized "guitar heros" and they're almost all from long ago - Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Allman, Gilmore, Santana, Gibbons, Schon, etc. They have their roots in the 60s, and 70s. Even Steve Vai and Steve Morse come out of the blues tradition, although they've definitely transcended it.

 

Nowadays when I hear a popular artist, the traditional "lead break" is nothing more than a rhythmic section with few single notes, but rarely any melody. Most bands seem to know how to play downstroke chords, and that's all. I call them the Quarter-Note Kids, because it seems all they can play is a downstroke on the beat. Anybody ever hear of syncopation?

 

I'm not asking in this thread for more people to listen to - although I'm always looking - I just don't understand why popular music shows such limited musicianship and gets away with it.

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Originally posted by Hardtailed

So I'm torn: do I quit the cover act and risk never making it with my own stuff, or abandon the rock star ambition and keep having a blast as long as it lasts? I could never find another band like the one I play in, we're just not your typical cover band...

 

Maybe you could schedule yourself in cycles to give yourself some additional time off for writing? For a month play hard, then the next month cut to half-time and use the time off to write, and then play a lot again, including what you came up with on your "down" time, and then cycle back again for more writing, etc. Pick your own time period - month, six weeks, two months, whatever. It could strike a new balance in your music that allows you to be more productive in ways you haven't been able to.

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The big question becomes... is the music about stroking your ego, and asking the audience to praise your genius by applauding YOUR songs, or is it about doing what it takes to really entertain THEM...

 

 

Cover songs entertain... originals bands are about working hard on the craft of songwriting to develop something that people will respond to. It's hard work, but it's also more rewarding when it actually happens. Personally, it's more fun to see 1200 people 'out there' dancing and shaking to a song you wrote and massaged and changed into something you think will work, than it is to get 'em with something you know they will respond to.

 

 

OTOH, it's a lotta fun to watch people really respond to songs they know and love.

 

 

I work primarily in originals bands, but I'm looking for a cover band to scratch that 'itch'.

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Originally posted by guitarmook

The big question becomes... is the music about stroking your ego, and asking the audience to praise your genius by applauding YOUR songs, or is it about doing what it takes to really entertain THEM...

 

 

I totally understand your question, but I think it's sad that it needs to be asked in that way (and this is not a criticism of you, but the way things are right now). Why is music suddenly a battle of egos between the musicians and the audience and we can't see a way out? Either you "stroke your ego" or you pander to your audience's egos. Neither one is particularly satisfying for either party.

 

To me, the relationship between musicians and audience should be like making love. The audience isn't there to watch you jerk off, and you're not there to take orders from them and fulfill all their demands. Know what I mean?

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Frankly, I always consider writing an original song to be like creating a present for the listener - yes, I consider whether or not it will be appreciated by the recipient, but this present will also reflect my personality, so that it is unique to me and no one else. I don't see it as win/lose in either direction, but hopefully win/win for me and the listener.

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Originally posted by guitarmook

The It's hard work, but it's also more rewarding when it actually happens. Personally, it's more fun to see 1200 people 'out there' dancing and shaking to a song you wrote and massaged and changed into something you think will work, than it is to get 'em with something you know they will respond to.

 

To me it's all bout the old trick of the pause in the middle of the song where you have the audience sing the hook. Just the mere thought of them singing my song gives me goosebumps. Or when you start a riff and within a few seconds people are going nuts (like when you play the intro to Thunderstruck), imagine if it was YOU freaking song that they are so happy to hear.

 

I don't get to see many shows because I'm always playing, over the last year I've seen two bands! First was Metallica, and it was quite impressive to see more than 10 000 people cheering and screaming (sounded like a thunderstorm!) but the show was frankly dull. They're just to big at this point to be enjoyable.

 

Recently however I went to see Story of the Year and it reminded me just why I want to do originals! They are such an incredible live band (honestly, I hate the CD, don't even own it), the show is full of dynamics to keep the crowd going at all time. When the light closed and you started hearing feedbacks from the guitars, everyone was screaming their lungs off, and then out of nowhere they blast into "The hero will drown" (it's in the game Need For Speed Undergroud btw), I couldn't help my "mature" self and I started jumping and singing along like a teenager! The song is well thought out, with mellower parts to give the fast parts more impact, there's a break in the middle so they can salute the audience while the guitars keep ringing, then they blast into the "funkier" part of the song that rebuilds the momentum and then just before it explodes again, it's the old trick of voice and clean guitar only with the hook sung an octave lower, and it works! Everyone sings along and then BAM they burst again. By the end of the song sweat is pouring all over your body.

 

I want to be the guy on the stage who incite such behaviour! I want people going nuts on my songs. I want to have sold out concerts in places big enough to have an impressive crowd, but small enough to have more impact.

 

Ok so I guess it's about the ego :)

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Originally posted by fastplant

What I tend to see in original bands are people who will write music THEY want to hear, but don't really think much about what other people want to hear. So they end up alienating their fanbase before they create it. WIth a cover band, you usually do it the other way around. So of course it's going to be more successful.

 

Couldn't disagree more with the above statement. Music is not about what Bob in the audience wants to hear - it's about what you as an artist are trying to express.

 

If the audience don't get it, then they don't get it; that's all there is to it. But a band should never write their own material thinking about what other people want to hear. Where's the honesty, sincerity or passion in that? That would be like asking an artist to paint what he wants the viewer to see - it's not going to happen.

 

I suppose ultimately it depends what your aim is with music. If your goal is to write music for the masses then of course you have to consider what "they" want to hear - but then you wouldn't really be writing anything original would you?

 

Every song I've helped write has been influenced by what I want to hear; it's about the message I'm trying to communicate. If other people like it then that's amazing but never for one second would I consider changing a song just so "they" would like it.

 

The most important thing about any song I help write is whether I like it because after all, it is "my" song.

 

- DM

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Our shows consist of about half original and half covers, but we choose covers that are 'B' sides, less known, but that fit musically with our originals.

 

We gig about three weekends a month, and we have two completely different acts comprised of the same four musicians. One full electric blues rock show that we play at festivals and clubs, and an acoustic blues/variety show that we play in restaurants and small bars. It keeps us working, keeps us versitile.

 

I'd rather hear something original ANY DAY. But the musicians I talk to at open mics and shows say they don't get a good response to their originals. My response to them? Write better originals. Keep writing, keep playing them out. Of all the tunes I've written, some are big audience favorites and some tend to wander off and sulk by themselves because either the audience doesn't respond or we just get tired of them. If they don't have staying power for US, they sure won't with the audience. Write more.

 

Music is about drawing people together. Originals must have some common ground for the audience or the connection doesn't happen and the song falls flat. And ode to your child hood teddy bear isn't going to get anywhere, unless your listeners can relate to that teddy bear angst. Reaching a common ground with your listeners isn't the same thing as sounding like another band.

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Originally posted by DrumMonkey


Couldn't disagree more with the above statement. Music is not about what Bob in the audience wants to hear - it's about what you as an artist are trying to express.

- DM

 

 

I think you misunderstood my post. I'm not saying people should sit around saying, "hmmm, what do people want to hear." And then write to that. What I'm saying is you need to consider the audience when writing. If you don't, then it will likely fall on deaf ears. It's cool if you write only for yourself, but don't be surprised if no one digs it. That seems to be the issue. People write what THEY want to hear then get frustrated that they're not famous.

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