It should come as no surprise that I’m not a fan of cover and tribute bands — at least 99% of them — for a variety of reasons. You’re not going to open Creative Loafing any time while I’m the music editor to see a big feature story written on a cover band.
First, they’re taking money away from the bands that write original music. Drawing fans who want to hear the music they like live on stage instead of sitting home, listening to the radio and hearing the same thing.
Actually, they’re also taking money away from the people who wrote the songs. I’m sure members of cover bands spend countless hours downloading music illegally, too.
If they had a lot of musical talent, they’d write their own stuff. Doing it because it pays the bills is a terrible excuse. How about having some musical integrity and making money off of something you created yourself?
Meanwhile, they all seem to have taglines. Liquid Pleasure is “America’s #1 Party Band” while The Swinging Richards is the “Premium Party Band.” The Maxx just hopes you “Do it to The Maxx.”
And where’s the truth in advertising? Who’s Bad bills themselves as the “Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band.” Why not say, “Who’s Bad — Now that he’s dead, we can make more money!” Appetite for Destruction is a Guns N Roses Tribute Band, but maybe they should say, “Appetite for Destruction — Making money off of Guns N Roses’ talent for years.” Perhaps Slippery When Wet the Bon Jovi Tribute could say “Slippery When Wet — Why be original?”
I will give cover bands a hint of credit for one thing — Lack of merchandise. No one wants to wear the t-shirt or buy the CD of a cover band. Why? Because you’d buy the original.
Now, I should also throw in a disclaimer. There are and have been cover bands that create their own style using music of the past.
Dread Zepplin had a singer that dressed like Elvis and sang a hybrid of Elvis and Zepplin songs.
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Richard Cheese performs lounge style versions of numerous hits.
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Singer Bess Rogers has a band called the Flux Capacitors that does country-fied versions of ’80s songs.
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If you have talent, prove it. Write your own music and stop “stealing” from the pockets from those who do. Or take those lyrics/songs and make them completely your own after showing you have some kind of sense of originality.
Everyone starts somewhere — give a chance to the original bands. If club owners want a tribute band or cover band, they should just plug in an iPod instead, it’s a lot cheaper.
This article appears in Apr 6-12, 2010.
Ah, the folly of youth.
You know, the list of bands which started out covering early R&B and rock and roll artists includes the Beatles. The Who, The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac.
And frankly, i’d rather hear a good cover band than a crappy original group any day.
Be careful with being so certain about all these rules regarding music. You’re going to miss a lot of great stuff by being too rigid to check it out…
Jeff, I appreciate & respect your point of view in this article.
From my experiences it’s all about the money. “How many people can you bring in that will buy alcohol?”
Certain venues/events won’t let you play b/c you don’t have a following (regardless of music), but you have to play in order to get a following, catch 22.
It’s a money game. It makes business sense to stick with something safe ala cover/tribute bands.
There are a few scenarios that could fix the exposure issue.
-college radio (that plays local music).
-a heavily marketed(radio, print, TV) annual music festival with local bands.
-A band to actually BLOW UP from Charlotte and have a huge single.
What do you think Jeff?
I definitely agree that it’s a money game – for the clubs and for the bands… It also comes down to people giving music a chance. That’s why we’ve done the free Homebrew CD series – to get music in people’s hands for free.
Eric – if I want to hear greatest hits, I’ll put my iPod on shuffle, or save my money for the real thing. I’m mostly looking at bands that make a living from it and never change after years of being a cover band. The Stones, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles didn’t do it for long or at least mixed in originals. Very few cover bands do… I hope you’ve picked up a copy of the Homebrew to give locals a chance – for free.
Jeff, you bring up a good point about TRS, FM & TB becoming popular using cover songs. Learning covers is a good way to start and judge your band’s chemistry & talent. I couldn’t be in a band where that was the identity of the band.
People today are programmed to have songs forced on them. Repetitive plays on the radio, media hype and etc play into the way the general public accepts new music. I think people are not as open to the new and unfamiliar in this area. We have found that you have to massage the audience to listen to you. Stubborn, conservative, lazy, unaware, whatever you want to label it is the main reason tribute bands & cover bands do well around here. Charlotte is not LA, or NYC, or Nashville, or even Atlanta. Those are music industry cities, with opportunities left and right. People move there just to pursue a dream in music. The audience mentality is very different there. We just have to accept the Charlotte Metro area for what it is and make the most of it. I’ve seen people stand outside a venue while a band was playing originals then run into the venue when the band plays a cover song.
In writing this I am reminded by how hype plays a factor into people’s feeling towards a band. Would it be fair to say that “if you’re good, I’ll hear about you” is a common motto for most? Or how about “you’re not signed, so you must not be as good”.
Creative Loafing does a great job promoting the local scene. It is sad they seem to be the only media doing so. I have a song “Believe” that plays on Power98(97.9fm) every evening. I am fortunate to have that opportunity. Since it started in rotation, my band has been getting A LOT more attention just from that one spin a day! Imagine if other major stations played local acts daily. It would open a lot of opportunities for original acts.
Lastly, I’ll never waste my time or money going to see a cover band or tribute band. I’d rather see an original band that may develop into something amazing. 🙂
people that want to go see cover bands should go see cover bands just like people that want to go see original bands should go see original bands. it’s basic supply and demand. if the original bands have decent music people will go see them (ex. simplified, sunny ledfurd, etc.)
(spoken in the voice of allen iverson)
cover bands?! we talking about cover bands? people are trying to make origianl musice here and we’re talking about cover bands?!
you’re the music editor and are talking about cover bands. you’d never see a music editor in a city that has a good music scene talk about a cover band. they’re too busy covering the WHOLE original music scene for that to even be on their radar. maybe you are a big part of the problem?
btw… i saw a band that you like to cover a lot (new familiars), playing 90% covers one night at solstice.
Mac –
I’m guessing you saw members of the New Familiars performing as “Josh Daniels and friends”…
I’m talking about cover bands in relation to Alive After Five and how they booked 95% cover bands and don’t give locals a chance.
We have a great music scene here and we cover it all the time. If you read the paper and online, you’d notice that.
And I cover the WHOLE music scene – though you won’t see me writing a feature on a cover band. I just wrote my opinion on them in general here.
STFU
Cover Bands Take Money From “Original” Artists?
Any bar that hires cover bands is making money for the artists they cover. Night clubs, bars restaurants – any music venue, in general, pays a blanket license to ASCAP and BMI, for playing pre-recorded music and live performance.
The argument that by playing gigs in bars, making money – in front of an actual paying audience is taking money from the “original artist”, is just ludicrous.
This is completely false.
This idea, I believe, springs from jealousy. You have all these low talent, highly optimistic bands out there playing for nothing, or even paying to play, – they see the cover bands down the street playing to a packed house and going home with real money and they think it’s somehow wrong or maybe even immoral.
That’s called sour grapes.
Playing Covers Denotes a Lack of Talent
The Rolling Stones first three albums were cover songs. Think that means they don’t have talent?
Led Zeppelin did lots of covers. Think they don’t have talent?
Anyone think all the people who covered Hank Williams songs lack talent because they didn’t write the songs? What about Hank Jr.? Anyone think he lacks talent for covering his father’s songs?
How about Ray Charles? Anyone think he lacked talent for recording “Mess Around”.
If anything, a successful cover band indicates a great deal of talent. It takes a lot of work to be able to learn all the different styles required to work in a cover band.
Learning covers also teaches young musicians about composition and melody that they would not otherwise learn if they were to stick to the rudimentary, self taught “folk chords” or power chords they learned off records.
The argument can also be made that the current, depressing live music scene is a direct result of the lack of cover bands.
No one wants to go out and pay to watch beginners learning how to play, how to write songs and learning how to perform on stage. People get the idea that all live music is like that and they get sick of it and quit supporting it.
From Wikipedia:
“Prior to the mid-20th century the notion of an original version of a popular tune would, of course, have seemed slightly odd — the production of musical entertainment being seen essentially as a live event, even if one that was reproduced at home via a copy of the sheet music, learned by heart, or captured on a shellac recording disc. “
I believe you are way off here… I spent many many years in original bands, and somewhere in my mid thirties I got tired of trying to draw 20 people out on a rainy Wednesday nite. I began my new wave tribute a few years ago with very talented musicians, and as a way to creatively understand and facilitate sequencing Apple Logic for live performances. We’re BETTER musicians today as a result.
BTW – I still make music, but without any allusions of grandeur. I record mostly to my Mac. You Must be pretty young and idealistic – that’ll wear off over time 😉
You make a lot of blanket generalizations here that are, frankly, pretty stupid. A good tribute band works hard to capture the spirit of the music they are presenting, and I’d rather see a live rendition of a favorite song done well than hear it on the radio. And how exactly do tribute bands “take money away” from the original acts? If anything they stoke interest for them. And then in a complete non-sequitur you accuse them of internet piracy as well? Man, what a dick!
We’ve taken a different approach, kind of a hybrid. The music business is too tough today for an original band to get signed and make it the old fashioned way. Record labels just don’t have the money. We’re a CROSBY, STILLS, NASH, & YOUNG tribute band that also writes originals. You can check out the band, the cover songs, and the originals at http://www.myspace.com/marrakeshmusic or http://www.facebook.com/marrakeshmusic
I get your point, but how are tribute bands any different than DJs or wedding singers/bands?
Aren’t they too making money off playing other people’s music. Maybe cover bands just do it for fun? Or even if they do it to pay the bills, who cares? It’s their life.
Apart from nationaly known acts, wedding bands make all the money, and you guessed it, they play covers. Adecent wedding band makes anywhere from 3 to 10
thousand bucks a gig. Any musician who plays in one is certainly capable of writing songs that only his friends will hear, just like your band. Any asshole can write a song, You are an idiot!
I completely disagree with this article.
Of course, there are many cover bands out there that look/ sing/ act nothing like their predecessors, which aren’t worthy of the work they do. But there are some genuinely good cover artists who do exactly the opposite.
Cover bands allow for past artists and bands to be remembered and re-lived via tributes. You’re not gonna see anyone like Elvis or Nat King cole grace a stage these days, let’s face it.
I am sure that most of the responses not supporting this article are from musicians who play in cover bands. First of all many original music bands do cover some songs. However, they do it to fill out a multi hour set list and to get started. They don’t play 4 hours of cover music. Also, without the original artist and songwriters the cover bands have nothing. It used to be 20 years ago in the above ground and underground scenes that the fan base was looking for a new thing..who is hot…who is up and coming. I never went out and said hey..let’s go find a great cover band. We sorta ended up at a place that had live music. It used to be original bands..now it is all cover bands. I can listen to the original artist at home. Give me something fresh and new..not retread. Cover bands have their place, weddings, corporate events, etc. However they contribute nothing to new music, invention and the promotion of a great artist.
So you can lump all symphonies into this category too?
Here we are again Jeff, you’re making accusations about something you know nothing about. Will CL please get a new music editor? Seriously though, his rants are getting borderline rediculous.
As stated earler, If a bar/venue hires cover bands then they pay a yearly licensing fee to BMI/ASCAP which is appropiated to the act’s label or royalty company. With that said, every act that is covered gets a royalty payment just like they would if aired on radio, tv, or a movie. Most people don’t know that, us musicians know all to well.
Here’s some REAL info:
Gene Simmons actually endorses the KISS tribute band and says, its almost like traveling back into time. Deep Purple’s drummer Ian played with DP’s trubute act for 3 years. Lars Ulrich covered the Metallica’s tribute band legal fees, and he’s an A$$hole. Lol
Please don’t ever call out the musicianship of these guys either. Example, I saw the Led Zep tribute act play everything FLAWLESS for 2 hrs. If thats not a technically proficient musician, SHOW ME ONE.
Jeff STOP writing about stuff you know nothing about, and Pradigy must you promote your band on this thread? Yall are corny, and you’re not helping.
@JeffHahneNeedsALife I’m glad you know who my band “Pradigy GT” is 🙂 and you’re obviously not our target market, but thanks for the mention in your post.
Bar/Venues paying yearly licensing fee to BMI/ASCAP, you’re correct in that they are supposed to do that.
You’re right about most original bands not really caring about tribute bands though.
I posted on this story about 2 years ago, so I’ll follow it up by saying this. Cover bands, don’t really bother me. If you’re hiring a cover band then you’re not our target market. I’ve seen some really talented musicians in tribute/cover/original bands. I personally like creative talent. To each his own.
Jeff Hahne, your 2 year old article still gets people going! 🙂
No pradigy I’m not your target market…I’m an adult AND a musician. Lol
Could you be anymore on Hahne’s tip in your threads? That must be why you’ve been featured by CL and that’s exactly why we need a new music editor.
Ahhh yes Full Circle
His band has not been featured in CL…
I assume yours hasn’t either, which is where your animosity comes from.
Thanks for reading and sharing your opinions.
Not in a band anymore, that shipped sailed long ago. I thought for sure my cover band examples would give away my age…thanks though Jeff!
I had to stick up for the artists you’re trashing in this article. I used to be one, and loved it. While my tone is a bit smartass at least I’m not writing on a topic I know nothing about. That’s your “cover” for not having any articles with substance.
You should only be a cover band if you’re better than who you’re covering, like these guys: http://youtu.be/dBqtKU71PeI
No offense, but what a ridiculous piece. I’m very often — too often, really — amazed at how so many music writers assume that the nitpicking, pissing and moaning, backstabbing and obsessiveness that mark their own private thoughts about music should be shared with everyone. As a former music writer, I know what a pain in the butt it can be to get endless requests to write about cover bands — and I’m fine with music journalists only writing about original artists. And yes, the “tribute” bands are particularly egregious (a whole book could be written about some folks’ attraction to ersatz, 2nd-hand experience). But “talentless” and “making money off others’ talents”? Fuck man, relax a little. If people want to take a load off and have a drink with friends while a cover band plays familiar tunes in the background, why should anyone else give a shit? It violates my own ironclad Two Laws of the Universe: 1. Pay attention, and 2. In general, mind your own business.
How bought you go make music instead of write about it like a jerk. I’d rather pay to see a cover band then give you another thought after I hit enter here. Rock critiques kill music. Not people who cover bands.
You’re clearly not a musician, and if you are maybe you should have some “integrity” yourself and start playing music for a living instead of writing articles about people who are making money off the talents you’re so openly criticizing. I’m not in a coverband, for the record.
Jeff, if you were a musician, you would understand that cover bands are EXACTLY what people want to hear. I’ve heard “original” bands, and their music is hit-or-miss…mostly miss.
The original artists charge too much AND of course do not play the same variety of music a cover band does. A cover band delivers great, danceable, recognizable music, lots of variety, and a reasonable price tag.
I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this thread for all the laughs it provides. Author included. Reassuring to see that Charlotte’s as plastic now as it was when I lived there back around 9/11. In those days cover bands were packing joints all over town while actual artists were playing to twelve people at the Double Door. The Drive By Truckers did fill the house to capacity on their Southern Rock Opera tour, but generally speaking it was awful easy to visit with George at the bar and hear terrific music without a press of stupid yuppies blathering about their BMWs and vapid blondes unable to form intelligible sentences. Sounds like y’all are all still at those other venues these days, so if I ever have to come back to town for a minute the Double Door should still be a safe haven. Or maybe the Comet Grill, or Puckett’s.
While I’ve never really been one to go to a bar specifically to see a cover band, I’ve never really seen them as taking money from my original band. It’s two different scenes, with two different audiences. Live and let live. It’s my hope that both scenes grow and prosper. If I do lose a portion of my audience to a cover band, then it’s just a sign to me that I need to bring my game up to a higher level. If I can’t compete in the market, it’s my problem, not another band’s fault.
All of that said, it is amazing how different a cover band is from an original band. We did a gig where both original and cover bands played. I have always thought this was a good idea. The reality was not what I expected. Original bands are used to playing 3 or 4 band gigs, and are good at getting on and off stage quickly. Cover bands tend to play for an entire evening, and usually have time to spare on set up and break down. This showed itself at the gig. The cover bands played great, but the show came to such a screeching halt between sets. There was well over an hour of dead time as one cover band broke down, the the next cover band set up. 15 or 20 minutes would have been the turnaround with original bands used to that fast pace.
Here is my take as a musician and writer of almost 40 years. Most of the cover bands I saw at local bars when I was in my 20’s (in the 80’s & 90’s most if not all venues in St. Paul were cover venues and the good original music was happening in Minneapolis and I stopped watching cover bands a long time ago ) were mediocre at best. Some seriously had trouble even playing their instruments or vocalizing and that was early on in the 1st set so I don’t think it was alcohol to blame. Occasionally on their breaks I would go up to various members and talk to them because I guess I felt some sort of kinship with them. When they found out I was also a musician and a writer they would usually say they wish they could write original music or they had already composed a song or two but were having trouble with the lyrics and so on. The bell in my head didn’t go off until years later that maybe the main reason they were doing covers is that they lacked the ability to write. Just because one can play an instrument or sing doesn’t mean one is also able to create something from nothing. With some cover bands I saw that did “write” and mix original music in, well quite honestly it was better that they stuck with 100% covers if you know what I mean. Comparing what the Beatles or the Stones did with covers and the current situation of music is pointless and somewhat dangerous. The culture of music was completely different then. In the late 50’s and early 60’s it was just becoming acceptable to musicians to write their own material and even then. If you wanted work you were expected to do a lot of popular covers. In the last 2 to 3 decades a band can go into a local venue, draw 20 or 25 people playing 100% of their own songs and be just fine. I was last in a cover band about 10 years ago with my current guitarist/vocalist whom I play original music with now. I don’t believe either types of bands or venues are taking money from the other. In Minnesota, most of the cover bars are concentrated in the suburbs and small towns where as the venues that do original music are mainly in downtown Minneapolis and a few in St. Paul. Those who enjoy hearing covers probably aren’t interested in a band playing their own music and vice versa. Having said that we don’t in my opinion have the music scene like we did when The Replacements, Husker Du, Soul Asylum or Prince were playing around town. Much of that may be due to local bands going on the road to actually attempt making a living so only part time bands stay behind. I think the other half is the venues themselves not devoting a enough time and effort into promotion to get people off their asses and away from Netflix on a Friday or Saturday to make stars out of some of the local bands. The talent is there and I know because I book my band and find other bands for the bill and we have played with some phenomenal acts that are still unknown.
I just wish the Charlotte crowd would go to shows of original music. I used to be in a cover band and we always had a decent turnout and got paid. The same is not true now that I’m in an original band. It’s a struggle to get people to come and see you here. We have better luck in other cities. And it’s not just my band. I went to a show last week of a pretty good band and I was the only person who showed up. It’s all about demand. If people would show up to original music, maybe venues like the Visualite would take a chance on more local bands. It would help if Creative Loafing would write more articles about underground bands that don’t fit into a typical mainstream genre.
Yep! I agree with all of this.
The worst thing is the audience or the fans who associate the stolen song with the performer.
It gets complicated too… Some artists are not cover artists yet they sing songs written by others.
If a cover version is an improvement, then it’s difficult to criticise.