Members Burgess Posted November 22, 2005 Members Share Posted November 22, 2005 Originally posted by vanlatte Really? What did they cover? Mustang Sally? No, seriously. I didnt know they started out that way. Yep, they cut their teeth at some club in Hamburg. They played so much in that cub doing covers, by the time they went back to Liverpool, the band was so tight nobody there could touch them. The rest is history. ...I think they changed drummers around that time as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted November 22, 2005 Members Share Posted November 22, 2005 Originally posted by MrKnobs Turning back to the topic, I'm another grizzled veteran of cover bands. My thinking is if you're not doing it to pick up girls or to gain stage experience and chops (every cover tune is a guitar lesson in disguise), then it's just another job and not a particularly pleasant or highly paying one at that. Did somebody hijack your boardname Terry? This doesnt sound like you at all. That's quite a simplification, to say the only reason to play covers is to pick up girls or gain experience... surely there must be some out there that enjoy it just for the sake of playing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators MrKnobs Posted November 22, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 22, 2005 Originally posted by vanlatte Did somebody hijack your boardname Terry? This doesnt sound like you at all. That's quite a simplification, to say the only reason to play covers is to pick up girls or gain experience... surely there must be some out there that enjoy it just for the sake of playing? Well, sure. But you can enjoy playing in an original band just as well, except for the starving thing. I guess if the choice was between playing in a cover band and not playing out at all, well maybe I'd have to play in a cover band again. But giving up my weekends and even week nights to shlep gear around and play in smoky bars as part of a human jukebox isn't my idea of fun anymore. Too many years, too many bars, maybe. Or possibly being a soundman for country stars made me long for what they have, I dunno. Even that lifestyle is pretty rough. But I'm just speaking for myself, whatever floats anyone else's boat is fine with me. I'll always find some way to play, and I'll always find multiple ways to be creative. The latter is as important to me as the former. Terry D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted November 22, 2005 Members Share Posted November 22, 2005 Originally posted by MrKnobs Well, sure. But you can enjoy playing in an original band just as well, except for the starving thing. I guess if the choice was between playing in a cover band and not playing out at all, well maybe I'd have to play in a cover band again. But giving up my weekends and even week nights to shlep gear around and play in smoky bars as part of a human jukebox isn't my idea of fun anymore. Too many years, too many bars, maybe. Or possibly being a soundman for country stars made me long for what they have, I dunno. Even that lifestyle is pretty rough. But I'm just speaking for myself, whatever floats anyone else's boat is fine with me. I'll always find some way to play, and I'll always find multiple ways to be creative. The latter is as important to me as the former. Terry D. It's all good, just wasnt sure I was reading you right. The whole time I was in the original band I was exposed to a LOT of "cover band bashing". As in it's something to be ashamed of, or the only reason to be in a cover band is because someone is not good enough to do originals. That never sat quite well with me, as I can see the pros and cons to either one. While I am by no means a veteran at this I have seen enough of both to decide which one I will get more enjoyment out of...especially since I have no desire to make it big. If it would have happend with the ex-band, great. But I just don't feel like starting over from scratch. Ugh. Besides being around it so much really opened my eyes to a whole world of self dillusion I never dreamed possible... This relates to a lot of the things we have been talking about lately; we all have different needs, desires and goals and the only ones we need to be concerned about is ourselves and what needs, desires and goals we are each after personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators MrKnobs Posted November 22, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 22, 2005 Originally posted by vanlatte As in it's something to be ashamed of, or the only reason to be in a cover band is because someone is not good enough to do originals. I've noticed in general that cover band players are usually more proficient on their instruments, probably due to the forced guitar lessons each time a new tune is worked up. They also have the advantage of knowing their set is all hit material since it's been tried and proven on the radio. Original band folk have to write theirs and it's pretty hard to be objective about how good something you've written is. Still, for me, having done both for many years, the strongest reward is playing material I've written to all those empty tables. Terry D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lee Flier Posted November 22, 2005 Members Share Posted November 22, 2005 Originally posted by Burgess The Beatles were originally a cover band... Yeah... WERE. As were most bands back in the day. "Cover band" vs. "original band" didn't really mean the same thing back then as it does now, and it was really the Beatles who changed all that. I agree that it would be great if Hardtailed could take advantage of the band he already has and start incorporating originals; I certainly think that's the most cool and natural way for a band to evolve. But it doesn't always work, for the reasons I mentioned (trying to give Hardtailed the benefit of the doubt here and assume his songs don't suck ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Badside Posted November 22, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 22, 2005 Big f***ing damn! I just received a phone call, my band's been offered a truly kick ass gig, to go "where no other cover band has gone before" (a kick-ass venue that is visited by the greatests only). And somehow, we got it because we accepted a lousy gig recently! I just can't refuse it, but then it's just gonna be the path to even more gigs... when will it ever stop?!?! I guess there is just one thing to do: make sure we play at least one original Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members droge Posted November 23, 2005 Members Share Posted November 23, 2005 HardTail: well, I'd say, just kinda gauge it--at some point, your heart's gonna tell you when it's time to shelve it and move onto an original direction. For the record, I quit my last cover band over 4 months ago to concentrate on my acoustic duo--and i haven't looked back since, 'cuz my creative juices kicked it up a notch, and i'm playing at my optimum best overall. It also helps that our manager has huge plans for us next year, so it's all good for me!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burgess Posted November 23, 2005 Members Share Posted November 23, 2005 Originally posted by Hardtailed Big f***ing damn! I just received a phone call, my band's been offered a truly kick ass gig, to go "where no other cover band has gone before" (a kick-ass venue that is visited by the greatests only). And somehow, we got it because we accepted a lousy gig recently! I just can't refuse it, but then it's just gonna be the path to even more gigs... when will it ever stop?!?! I guess there is just one thing to do: make sure we play at least one original I'm beginning to think this is more about you bragging on how well your band is doing but disguised as your displeasure with the situation... Personally, I'm all for someone bragging on their band, themselves. I feel musicians SHOULD be proud of their accomplishments and we don't hear it from you, we wouldn't hear it at all. So lemme say that gig sound FANTASTIC and many congrats! Kick ass and take names when you take the stage!!! As for quitting. it's not uncommon for musicians to quit a band at the height of their success, it's a common tale. In this day and age of home recording, I really don't see the need for it. You can easily form a band across the net of musicians you've never physically met. You could easily produce a kickass solo effort without giving up your main gig. So why give up the gig? Question: Do you think those guys playing with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra really liked that music? My guess is probably not but that gig ran for 20 years. Those guys went home to their families every night, paid off mortgages, sent kids to college, lived happily ever after. Good gigs are hard to come by... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dead matt Posted November 24, 2005 Members Share Posted November 24, 2005 I found that writing and performing my own music is light years more satisfying than playing "Summer of 69" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Blackwatch Posted November 24, 2005 Members Share Posted November 24, 2005 It's funny, I just turned down an offer to join a cover band the night before last. They only played corporate gigs and made about $1000 to $1700 per gig (As a TRIO) doing Jimmy Buffet songs and such wearing Hawaiian shirts. They only played 16 gigs per year. I didn't take it because:-They don't play enough, (Doing originals I do about 60 -100 gigs a year)-If I'm working on old Jimmy Buffet songs I'm not working on my own songs, which I truely believe in, and even if I never get anywhere with them, which I realize is a definate probability, They satisfy me.-I get respect as a songwriter, I'm starting to open for some national acts which are the best gigs. I make the same as I usually do but I play for an hour to a packed house.-Hawaiian shirts look hopeless on a 50 year old man. I'd have to grow a ponytail again to look truly horrid. I'm not making alot per gig $50- $100, and some of the bars that I play in are pretty nasty, but I'm not made to play cover tunes. I feel like I have something to say and even if no one listens at least I'm saying it. Good Luck..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cyberponch Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 I'd say go original dude.....as a musician who spent the last couple of years doing the covers thang, I am at the same spot. I'm done with covers for awhile, I want to get into writing and playing my own {censored}. I think covers are definitely something to learn from but I considered them a means to an end, as far as you could play them and improve your chops and learn how to interact with the audience and develop some stage presence. Good luck- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Matter-Eater Lad Posted November 27, 2005 Members Share Posted November 27, 2005 Originally posted by Lee Flier Granted, sometimes a song just sucks or a musician just doesn't have talent at songwriting.Are you kidding? Make that most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fastplant Posted November 27, 2005 Members Share Posted November 27, 2005 I did the same thing about 6 months ago. I felt I needed to be doing the original thing. I'm glad I did it, but at the same time I miss playing out. The problem is that it's near impossible to find EXACTLY what you're looking for. In my case it was dedicated musicians. So right now I'm actually just looking for a gigging band to make some money and play some shows while I take a breather from all the work and stress of the original project. If it's a cover band, so be it. But even with all the head-ache, I still believe it will all be worth it in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ripping Rudy Posted November 29, 2005 Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Real musicians play live as often as possible be it covers or originals. Live performance is the fundamental aspect of musicianship that separates the "men from the boys". Part of the reason for this is that live performance requires you to sacrifice your time and your energy to others. You feel the way you do because you are more suited to music as a "hobby" rather than a passion. Not everyone is cut out to be a performing musician. Those of us that are keep the world dancing!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JMS 2 Posted December 1, 2005 Members Share Posted December 1, 2005 I certainly understand your thoughts Hardtailed.There's a world between cover bands and original bands.Both have their pro's and con's. We all know them ... Just remember that at one time or another in your career the grass WILL be looking greener on the other side. Don't know if it's manageable but you could always do what I did :Have a covers band AND an originals band !Of course there's a lot a time management involved among other things and even then, more than often one part doesn't work outlike expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.