[quote name='lownote12' timestamp='1501661366' post='3346226'][color=#5A5A5A][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Am I being a Victor Meldrew here? [/font][/color][/quote]
Possibly a little bit, yes.
I've spent 30 years playing in original bands (still do) and more recently over the last 10yrs have had covers side projects. It's really stretched my playing. I've seen plenty of originals bands that aren't very original at all & as stated a LOT of classic artists from the 50s / 60s regularly did covers - not just Beatles / Stones but look at the Stax / Motown acts or the early pioneers of rock 'n' roll music who all did each others songs.
If the world is full of covers / tribute acts, start your own band and build it around what you want. If it is good, people will come to you. It's what I have done in the past and at times it has been hard work, but rewarding & it has meant 30yrs of always playing in the bands I want to be in at that time.
I'm afraid that I've never understood the covers vs originals debate. Music is either music you like or don't.