Members BIGD Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 In NYC..take your pic man, its all pretty much out there...just east of the city here on Long Island, there are definatley some Metal acts (us included) that are tryin' to take the scene back, alot of hard rock also....alot of cover bands and tribute bands too, my lead guitarist has an independent music website that showcases original unsigned bands www.playgroundz.net and he organizes alot of local showcases....good avenue for people to get their {censored} out there!! I have no idea what the scene is like on LI anymore, I gig in the city and haven't played here in many years. It used to be mainly cover bands, and even the band or 2 that "made it big" over the last 10 years were actually a cover bands alter ego...and their hit sounded like it. When I have seen live music recently, there seem to be a lot of guys who want to be Jason Miraz, some jam bands, blues-dads (so boring) etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members craigny Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 I have no idea what the scene is like on LI anymore, I gig in the city and haven't played here in many years. It used to be mainly cover bands, and even the band or 2 that "made it big" over the last 10 years were actually a cover bands alter ego...and their hit sounded like it. When I have seen live music recently, there seem to be a lot of guys who want to be Jason Miraz, some jam bands, blues-dads (so boring) etc. Yeah for the most part if you wanna do some good shows you gotta hit NYC...but you know how that goes, if you ain't got ur {censored} together you'll be playing at 1AM on a Tuesday night for the bartender and the cockroaches....LI does have some good venues though places like the Crazy Donkey and Mulchay's have national acts pass through, and we manage to get on some of those bills... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spike Li Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Where's the irony emoticon? Touche! To be clear i wasnt referring specifically to this thread but to a negative attitude towards cover bands that a lot of "real" musos seem to posses (that Ive encountered). Im in a cover band that's just starting up and it really grinds my gears when people start dissing them... sorry my bad, i guess i just saw red when cover bands were being referred to in a negative way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members straycat113 Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Brooklyn NY, a few little scenes going on but certainly nothing that is going to turn things around or be the big new thing. I know the music business is getting it right where they deserve it but in all honesty I think they are needed-I know I cant believe I even said that lol. But honestly look at Country music they still run things the old way and have good record sales, constant sold out shows and big stars. You need talent scouts as though the internet is great for anyone to get there music heard there are millions of bands and who has time to sift through the 80% crap not me.You think some artist who got royally screwed would of banded together and started a major label with the artist interest at the forefront and get behind new acts and get them played and out there touring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GreatDane Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Me too. The scene here in CT has always been really weird. We have the advantage of being conveniently located between NYC and Boston, and get a lot of bands stopping off halfway, but we also lose a lot of good bands that move to the city to "get discovered", or just to be able to play regularly. In the 90's, the scene was a lot better, with a ton of decent venues, great bands that supported each other, even across genres. It felt good to be a part of it. Then the 2000's ushered in this wave of cover and tribute bands. Not even good ones, but ones that just played all power chords with full gain, no matter what song. These days, I feel like people are really trying to create a healthy scene again, but it's a real struggle. Being in the business, I'm pretty good friends with some of the all-ages venue owners, and it's really a labor of love for them. we have the same scene. literally. i imagine i'm minutes from you. remind me agin, why aren't we getting together to make music? my opinion is the cover/tribute bands started moving in on the CT scene (certainly Hartford/Litchfield-area; not as sure about New Haven/Fairfield) during the mid-90s- prior to that, there were some, but it really was incredible to see the shift around '95/'96. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brian Krashpad Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Gainesville is a college town with a very cool music scene. The '80's were sort of "underground," we did house shows and there was the occasional big occasion where someone would rent the VFW, or would finagle a community center or something, because there was no place for locals playing original music, at least not on any kind of a regular basis. Beginning in the '90's a couple flagship clubs were founded dedicated to original music rather than covers, and a lot of other places realized there were literally hundreds of bands that would play, and the scene really came alive. There has been a big turnover in venues over the years of course, and right around the turn of the century a couple of the original biggies closed, but the clubs are still pretty much going strong. Nobody in the bands makes any money of course, but there's a lot of good music and good times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members faberbz Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Bozeman, MT College town in the middle of Montana--different vibe than the rest of the state (except Missoula). A lot of folkie, folk-rock sort of stuff--you know, a rhythm section with a mando and/or fiddle thrown in. The ski bums, ridge hippies, and mountain hipsters all love that stuff. Decent indie rock acts come through town. Always someone to see every weekend. There are also the cover bands, touring DJs, and a handful of country bands that play in the tourist bars. All in all, good scene for a small remote town. But it's no Austin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BIGD Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Brooklyn NY, a few little scenes going on but certainly nothing that is going to turn things around or be the big new thing. I know the music business is getting it right where they deserve it but in all honesty I think they are needed-I know I cant believe I even said that lol. But honestly look at Country music they still run things the old way and have good record sales, constant sold out shows and big stars. You need talent scouts as though the internet is great for anyone to get there music heard there are millions of bands and who has time to sift through the 80% crap not me.You think some artist who got royally screwed would of banded together and started a major label with the artist interest at the forefront and get behind new acts and get them played and out there touring. In a way I agree with you. There are just so many bands out there and so much that isn't worth listening to sift through. In a way the "new" music model has gatekeepers just like the old one did..except instead of music lawyers major label record execs, now it's...internet websites? Music blogs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mav64 Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 SF Bay Area is of course rocking and thriving with every kind of live music you could ever hope to see. Jeff Beck tomorrow night! Woo-Hoo!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 100 watt Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 3 chord scream-tard punk bands who all copy each other. Skill isnt important as image. Play hall shows for 15 people . Crowd usually made up of friends of the band, and ages 13-16. cookie monster screamtard "metal" bands who copy each other. Play hall shows for 15 people . Crowd Usually made up of friends of the band, and ages 13-16. Hipster douchebag bands (who were all emo kids just a few years ago). Crowd usually made up of friends of the band, and ages 14-17. coffee house accoustic college weirdo stuff. super lame. Top 40 rock radio cover bands who play bars. Top 40 Country radio cover bands It pretty much sucks here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nuke_diver Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 SF Bay Area is of course rocking and thriving with every kind of live music you could ever hope to see. Jeff Beck tomorrow night! Woo-Hoo!!Oh I missed that!I figured there's a decent music scene but I don't know cause I don't get out much... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Philfixit Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Pitiful!! DJ's get almost all of the bar/club/and even wedding dance scene up here. It's mostly economics: a DJ will bring in his rig, set up, and have most every kind of music most people would want for $450 a night, or $650 a weekend. That just really isn't enough for a 4 or 5 piece band with a sound guy. I've recently played for $200 + 1/2 the cover for a 1 nighter. Made sixty bucks. Plus a 91 mile round trip and 2 hours for setup and teardown. About EIGHT BUCKS AN HOUR. If we didn't like playing so much, there's really no incentive. Then, if you add in the 2 - 6 hours of weekly practice, gear costs and maintainence, etc., it really costs. At least we use an independent sound guy (has PA & lights), who works for an equal part. I made more money 30 years ago doing high school dances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brian Krashpad Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Pitiful!! DJ's get almost all of the bar/club/and even wedding dance scene up here. It's mostly economics: a DJ will bring in his rig, set up, and have most every kind of music most people would want for $450 a night, or $650 a weekend. That just really isn't enough for a 4 or 5 piece band with a sound guy. I've recently played for $200 + 1/2 the cover for a 1 nighter. Made sixty bucks. Plus a 91 mile round trip and 2 hours for setup and teardown. About EIGHT BUCKS AN HOUR. If we didn't like playing so much, there's really no incentive. Consider the plight of the person in an originals band on our scene. You play one set, but usually have to stay all night, in case you get paid. If you do, $10 a man isn't unheard of, and it's common practice for locals to waive whatever pittance they otherwise might have gotten in favor of an out-of-town band on the bill, to ensure they have gas money. I'm trying to think of the most I ever made for one performance (again, one set but we still had to be there all night, just not onstage all night like a cover band) and I'm sure it was well under $100, probably more like $50-$75). And of course, private parties (paying) and weddings, etc., are not even an option. So, $60 for a night sounds pretty good to me. Very few musicians are making money at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fangorn Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Croydon...... I say no more.... When the students are back down, it's indie drool... and when they've all {censored}ed off again...... dub-step.......*click clack* There is hope, however, a few decent old school metal bands around, however I don't stick about long enough to check them out, i'm in Camden for gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members HP Hovercraft Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brian Krashpad Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Amazing. So, did pay to play go away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aenemated Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 So, did pay to play go away? no sir, pay to play is still alive and well on my sunset strip. and somehow, it's always the {censored}tiest bands ever that play at the viper/whiskey/roxy/key club. but TCK don't deal with that trifling bull{censored}. there're plenty of great venues to play where that ain't an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brian Krashpad Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 no sir, pay to play is still alive and well on my sunset strip. and somehow, it's always the {censored}tiest bands ever that play at the viper/whiskey/roxy/key club. but TCK don't deal with that trifling bull{censored}. there're plenty of great venues to play where that ain't an issue. Good to hear, awhile back it sounded like it was the dominant business model or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcat46 Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 I live in New Jersey. Do you enjoy cover bands? How aboutthe same ones, over and over until you can't take any more?It's all about cover bands, and how many Coors Light beers they can sell.No one really gives a {censored} about original music.Well, I shouldn't say that. There are some clubs in Asbury Park still holdingthings down with original talent. Maybe some coffee houses here and there.Very exciting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members HP Hovercraft Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 no sir, pay to play is still alive and well on my sunset strip. and somehow, it's always the {censored}tiest bands ever that play at the viper/whiskey/roxy/key club. but TCK don't deal with that trifling bull{censored}. there're plenty of great venues to play where that ain't an issue. Exactly. Stay away from that section of the Strip and you're golden. Viper Room actually gets some good bands, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members iblastoff Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 3 chord scream-tard punk bands who all copy each other. Skill isnt important as image. Play hall shows for 15 people . Crowd usually made up of friends of the band, and ages 13-16. cookie monster screamtard "metal" bands who copy each other. Play hall shows for 15 people . Crowd Usually made up of friends of the band, and ages 13-16.Hipster douchebag bands (who were all emo kids just a few years ago). Crowd usually made up of friends of the band, and ages 14-17.coffee house accoustic college weirdo stuff. super lame.Top 40 rock radio cover bands who play bars.Top 40 Country radio cover bandsIt pretty much sucks here. how far are you from louisville? tons of sweet bands out of there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Surrealistic Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 We have an amazing music scene here in Hastings. There are more really good musicians and songwriters than you can shake a stick at. You can walk down any street in the Old Town on almost any day and hear good music. For a little town we have a large number of top class musicians and a lot of pubs where you can hear them play. Now if there was only some money in this town ... then again, if there was it probably wouldn't be the "new Bohemia" that it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aenemated Posted April 8, 2011 Members Share Posted April 8, 2011 Exactly. Stay away from that section of the Strip and you're golden. Viper Room actually gets some good bands, though. yeah, one of my good friends' band had their CD release party there wednesday night. they rocked the {censored}in house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Oldskool Texas Posted April 9, 2011 Members Share Posted April 9, 2011 sorry my bad, i guess i just saw red when cover bands were being referred to in a negative way... No worries, Spike. Just keepin' ya in line! FWIW, I know several first-rate players who have enjoyed satisfying and lucrative careers in cover bands. Play what you love, love what you play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Special J Posted April 9, 2011 Author Members Share Posted April 9, 2011 we have the same scene. literally. i imagine i'm minutes from you. remind me agin, why aren't we getting together to make music? my opinion is the cover/tribute bands started moving in on the CT scene (certainly Hartford/Litchfield-area; not as sure about New Haven/Fairfield) during the mid-90s- prior to that, there were some, but it really was incredible to see the shift around '95/'96. It's really kind of silly ain't it. I guess I've been pretty busy, but it's really no excuse. We should make a point of it soon. Yeah, you're right on that timing. That was just after I graduated HS and started touring, and right when all of those cool original music venues started to disappear, one by one. The New Haven scene held on a little longer, but not by much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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