Why are you in a covers band?

[xilddx]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1363779739' post='2017386']
That's the key though, isn't it? Cover bands often allow you to bypass all that hard work. Which works for a lot of hobby players as their job takes up a lot of their time. I speak from experience on that one!
[/quote]

Lazy Whoreclown

Seriously, areyou saying covers bands are normally hobbyists?

[xilddx]

[quote name='thunderbird13' timestamp='1363779803' post='2017388']
when I started off trying to get back into bands about 5 years ago I felt that a lot of original bands were too precious about their material. I had one " artist" stop playing halfway through an audition becaue I had the audacity to play a note beyond the 12th fret. Perversely covers bands give me more freedoom to play -
[/quote]

Of course they are precious! If you wrote a bunch of good songs, would you not be protective of your artistic vision?

[xilddx]

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1363779854' post='2017390']
I do covers and originals.

I couldn't give a stuff who wrote the tunes. They're either good or they're not.
[/quote]

That's fair enough, do you write? Do you get a kick from presenting your own creations that transcends playing other people's music?

[wally8]

Too many ego's in original bands and people are too easily upset when you tell them a song/riff they have brought to practice is doggers. I played in original bands solidly from 96 - 02 which was mint, got signed to a small label but never pushed on. They were some of the most musically stressful years of my life. You also have to practice with originals around/more that twice a week IMO to get to the level required so as you get older and have a family this isnt so easy.

[shizznit]

I have only ever played in one covers band in my 18yrs of bass playing and thats the one I currently play for. Never interested me up until 4yrs ago. But, I love the music that we play and the musicians I work with play to a high standard and its a pleasure to go out there and earn a few quid as a bonus. The shocking thing for me is that I actually earn more money playing in a covers band than I did when I was a signed artist struggling to buy a can of baked beans after I got back home from a tour.

I still write and publish my own music, but I mostly work in the dance industry these days whereby my releases are played by a DJ and I am not required to play live much. So, playing for a covers band fills that gap quite nicely. At 34, I'm still a young guy and there is no reason why I can't pursue a career with a live band again with their own songs, but I am at that age whereby record labels are not interested in greying, balding, fat musicians with a sensible hair cut and a bad back, wearing clothes bought from H&M that pay a mortgage and has family responsibilities. Its a young mans game for new artists...always has been, always will be. Playing for a covers band is a lot of fun and I have complete control over what I do and how far I want to take it without having management pushing all the wrong buttons and taking my hard earned money.

[chris_b]

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1363779854' post='2017390']
....I do covers and originals.... I couldn't give a stuff who wrote the tunes. They're either good or they're not....
[/quote]

+1

The trouble with most people writing "originals" is they don't have a functioning "crap" filter and most of them are not that original either.

I'm fortunate to play with guys who write good originals. All but 1 mix them up with other numbers, so I get the best of both worlds.

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363780149' post='2017398']
That's fair enough, do you write? Do you get a kick from presenting your own creations that transcends playing other people's music?
[/quote]

I get a kick out of playing well at nice gigs.

I write in a band context, and I've been playing original material since I was a nipper. To be honest, it all merges in to one big ball of bass-playing fun.

[thunderbird13]

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363780004' post='2017396']
Of course they are precious! If you wrote a bunch of good songs, would you not be protective of your artistic vision?
[/quote]

I would hope that they would be mature enough to approach any additional input with an open mind , if not then the band is more of a group of session players rather than fellow musicians which doesnt really interest me

And certainly most of the original music I've played could - well lets just say that some peoples "artistic vision " could be improved !

[achknalligewelt]

I've done both in my time. Original material is, I find, a thankless task in a town like Leicester where there is no scene to play it on and never has been. It's not like we didn't try - all of my 20's were spent in various bands, writing the best stuff we could and getting support slots for other, more established bands when they came through. The result? A hurried 20 minute set with no soundcheck and a soundman who couldn't be arsed to do any more than turn the PA on ('I'll set you up on line' is always going to make your heart sink), someone else's audience stood at the bar talking and when you finish, a voice from the back of the room saying 'Thank God! f*** off so we can hear The Crocketts!' A decade of that will tarnish the shine on the most dearly held personal artistic vision.

On the other hand, playing Beatles songs at weddings mean everyone dances, everyone can sing along and you get a few quid at the end. Art doesn't pay and takes up too much time - I am involved with an ongoing originals project ([url="http://snd.sc/ZSLTcz"]http://snd.sc/ZSLTcz[/url]) and though it's great fun, and it's actually very democratic about how the songs work and evolve, preparations for one gig have already taken a month. And that's without a divaish songwriter who won't countenance a bass note above 12th...

Edited March 20, 2013 by achknalligewelt

[Lozz196]

I love being in a band, love playing live, and, with my covers band, am playing all my fave songs from when I was at school. Entertaining an audience is a bonus, as is getting paid for the pleasure of playing my fave songs.

[Japhet]

As Wally8 says, if you're limited to rehearsal time it's very difficult to get original material up to speed. With covers, rehearsal time is for polishing up, not trying to work out what the songwriter wants to hear. I've played in an originals band with a phenominal songwriter and some superb musicians. It was fun, but bloody hard work. We'd often hear "Play Mustang Sally!" from the crowd. We then played a load of that stuff for funtions and stuff and the band soon folded even though we were earning. I now play in a covers band where we play the more obscure stuff which is still loved and appreciated by many. We often get thanked fro playing songs people haven't heard for years. Some of the stuff is vastly different to the original material - it's the best of both worlds really.

[Clarky]

I can fully understand the gratification arguments for covers bands (and the money!) I remember my originals punk band playing at a Punkfest in 2009, playing well, doing our thang to a mildly appreciative audience. Next up is a '70s punk covers band that launches into London Calling, followed by Bodies and the audience went completely mental ....

So far I have only ever played in originals bands (bar one cover with my last band Rattlin Bone of an obscure blues song) and it does give me a huge boost when you get complimented on a song that is all the band's own. To be fair I am lucky in my current band as it has some very good songwriters as well as two amazing (and photogenic, ahem) lady singers.

[xilddx]

Christ, I'm starting to feel like the exception here, there hardly seems to be anyone really enjoying being in an originals band so far. Art doesn't pay, too demanding, too busy to practice, too many crap writers, too many prima donnas, no appreciative audiences .. blimey. Where's the cover material going to come from in ten years?

EDIT: Thank god, Clarky Dudes, Clarky is a VERY f***ing busy man with a ton of sh*t on his plate, and he manages to play in a great originals band. he's also the same age as me so it doesn't have to be a 'young man's game' either

Edited March 20, 2013 by xilddx

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

When I was gigging ,all but one of my bands were covers . My first gig was not until my 30th birthday party( I was still 29;)
Too old to do originals.

[fumps]

The thing with struggling originals bands has always puzzled me, you need the crowds but are finding it hard to gather these crowds, so I have no idea why bands don't gather together & create gigs, take it in turns to headline the sets. but a few live bands of the same style will have more of a chance to lure a crowd than one band. I mean why do originals bands bother playing some heavy stadium rock in the Duck & Drake on Wednesday ? it's pretty obvious that the punters will be scarce at best. A couple of my past bands would often support & be supported by the same bands & we always had great nights doing it, the crowd would be fans of our music & everybody had a great time. if there is no scene create one

There used to be a venue in Leeds (The good old Duchess of York) where they would have several bands on in one night all of the same style, they would bring in large crowds simply because if you don't like band A, the chances are you will get into band B. I used to go to these nights all the time because you would always be guaranteed a decent night.

[Low End Bee]

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1363781391' post='2017431']
When I was gigging ,all but one of my bands were covers . My first gig was not until my 30th birthday party( I was still 29;)
Too old to do originals.
[/quote]

I was 46 when we formed the Jetsonics.

[mcnach]

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363777903' post='2017335']
I'm interested in why so many players on here seem to be in covers bands. Is it because you enjoy it more than originals? Can find a good enough originals band? Doing it for the money? The challenge of having to be so versatile? You are in both originals and covers - why? The crowds are better than originals?

Not meant in any way to be inflammatory, but I can't ever imagine wanting to be in a covers band. We do a few covers in a couple of bands, but they are vastly different to the originals, apart from Walking on the Moon which we did for fun once, and it wasn't that much fun anyway

Another thing I find hard to understand is covers bands who chuck in a few originals into the set. What does that achieve?
[/quote]

I'm in both, although my covers are "specialised", as in only songs by RHCP or only songs by RATM.
Those are fun and easy, that's part of the appeal. Some may not have been technically easy for me, as the RHCP started out when I could barely slap,, and I saw it as a challenge to help me learn... but they were easy in the sense that well, you just play what it's on the song, and that's it. I do add my thing here and there, but I don't have to think of a good bassline for a song. It's also fun in that people are familiar with the songs, and if they are fans, the reception is awesome (and if they're not fans, why did they come to see you? )

The originals, on the other hand... it requires more work. I'm never satisfied with my basslines, they seem uninspired to me... and sometimes I try to compensate by making them busier than they have to... until I hear a great simple bassline and go back to square one. But it's a good challenge, it's dynamic, songs change, evolve... and it feels good to create something from scratch that people who never heard it before go "hey, I like that!"...
But it's harder to find good gigs for originals bands. At least good gigs. We have played lots of sh*tty gigs, and I am sure we are not done yet. After three years, we have progressed and play mostly better gigs, the band makes a bit of money that pays for promotion, recording, etc... but we played lots of sh*tty gigs for no money, or a beer... all for 30min of "glory" hoping there will be one person in the crowd that might go home and decide to check us out online and come to our next gig and bring friends...

I like to have both the covers and the originals, as both have different pros and cons.

[xilddx]

[quote name='fumps' timestamp='1363781664' post='2017435']
The thing with struggling originals bands has always puzzled me, you need the crowds but are finding it hard to gather these crowds, so I have no idea why bands don't gather together & create gigs, take it in turns to headline the sets. but a few live bands of the same style will have more of a chance to lure a crowd than one band. I mean why do originals bands bother playing some heavy stadium rock in the Duck & Drake on Wednesday ? it's pretty obvious that the punters will be scarce at best. A couple of my past bands would often support & be supported by the same bands & we always had great nights doing it, the crowd would be fans of our music & everybody had a great time. if there is no scene create one

There used to be a venue in Leeds (The good old Duchess of York) where they would have several bands on in one night all of the same style, they would bring in large crowds simply because if you don't like band A, the chances are you will get into band B. I used to go to these nights all the time because you would always be guaranteed a decent night.
[/quote]

We have promoters that do this for most of our gigs, and we are putting on a EP launch gig with another band (at a venue holding 300) and choosing two support acts that fit the scene. It's all about gigging and building an audience, if the band is good, the word gets around. I think people expect far too much from originals audiences. You have to work to get to the tipping point where the audience starts promoting the band for you.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1363781689' post='2017436']
I was 46 when we formed the Jetsonics.
[/quote]

Hoorah! Another Me, you and Clarky, all three of us nearly 50, in great originals bands and loving it. There has got to be hope in here somewhere!

[charic]

I'm in a couple of original bands and am just forming a covers band so I'm not sure where that sits me

[xilddx]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1363782469' post='2017456']
I'm in a couple of original bands and am just forming a covers band so I'm not sure where that sits me
[/quote]

Nor am I Why are you forming a cover band?

[NickH]

I loved the thrill of being in an originals band when I was younger. Some of the best years of my life... and I almost paupered myself doing it

Now the covers band lets me do what I love best - entertaining crowds - while earning a nice bit of cash on the side with a timetable which entirely fits everyone in the band.

It's definitely not all about the cash, but if someone asked me to jack in the covers and play in an originals lineup for a lot less money, equal musical satisfaction, and the same or more rehearsal time... Thanks but pass!

[lojo]

I play in covers bands because I love playing music, be it creating or covering, I love playing party music live and being part of a good night.

I can fit into a covers band with minimal homework or rehearsal time, which fits with my family time, job and time spent on other things I enjoy.

To be honest, Its a lot of fun, be it playing at wedding where I dont know anyone, or doing a parent night in the school, its just fun.

The other thing is, I have never in my 44 years on earth experienced or heard any negativity towards playing covers from anyone other than on this site.

Edited March 20, 2013 by lojo

[Muzz]

I play in both. I enjoy the diversity of the the covers bands, I love playing live, I love the buzz from the punters every time, I like most of the songs I'm asked to play, and the money's good. And Because of the dep nature of two of the bands I'm in, I get to play with different, talented people a lot. I've become a better player since I started playing in a couple of function bands with good, different musicians, and with set material I would never have played otherwise. If I had the time in my life at the moment I'd learn to read, so I could diversify even more. For the record, I'm 50 next year.

I'm hugely proud of our originals album, and it's a different buzz when people like that music, but I'm not precious about it.

I've encountered the same levels of self-delusion in both covers and original bands: I've heard bands who thought they were fantastic and were rubbish in both genres, but it's always a bit more arse-clenching when it's an originals band.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Muzz

[Dr.Dave]

When you gig your own material you're essentially a covers band. The writing and arranging is the creative process - playing that live is reproducing or re-creating that. That's a fair definition of a cover.

Me - I've always written and recorded songs and continue to do so when the spirit moves me. I've sold a few locally - mostly to raise money for various things like research into strokes that killed my Mum. I've also tried to get published as a songwriter but it never happened - or rather hasn't happened yet.

I've never really wanted to gig my own songs because I would be uncomfortable being the sort of total dictator I know I would be - though I have - and still do - include one or two in our current 'cover band' set. We certainly do flex our creative muscles in Doc B because there isn't a single 'cover' that is anything like the original recorded versions of the songs we do - though that is obviously not the same as playing 100% original music.

As I said - I've come to realise that I am more of a craftsman than an artist. i feel less that I'm putting limitations on myself than I feel I'm playing to my strengths.

I've always wondered , too , why some folk who are getting on with doing what they want to do - and good luck to them - feel the need to look down their noses at other folk who are getting on what they want to do to - like playing covers or playing in trib bands or doing the backing tape thing ... whatever they want in this free (ish) world. I suppose there's a certain amount of snobbery in many hobbies and interests. I suppose too I could put my mind to it and come up with possible reasons for it , such as things starting with 'j' and ending in 'ealousy'..... but I can't be arsed. I do know that the few folk I've met who've been successful as original artists have not been snobbish about what I do at all. Maybe that says something but I'm not really interested in working it out. I'll leave that to the talkers while I crack on with the walking.