What's your take?
Covers VS Originals
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RobTheDrummer
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Covers VS Originals
Hey! Why stop at politics? I know this has been done before...We got some newer people on here and different opinions.
What's your take?
What's your take?
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bassist_25
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- Location: Indiana
*LOL* I love controversy. Okay, the main points I always make on these threads.
1. I've played both covers and originals. Each is a different situation with its own challenges.
2. Covers or originals - It doesn't matter. I respect quality. I don't automatically respect something just because it's original. I want to hear musicianship and songcraft.
3. Members of good original bands are almost always going to have a long history of playing covers, because you need to cut your teeth on covers to develop the musical chops to write good original music.
4. Most of my favorite local bands are either all original (i.e. Opposition, HOC, 4 Days Dirty, etc.) or play a mix (Felix & the Hurricanes, Flight 19, etc.)
5. Supply & Demand - Do what makes you happy and I wish you the best success in the world, but I don't want to hear people complaining when they have an all-original band doing extreme metal and they're crying that they'll not getting booked at 4D's after playing two shows.
There, that about covers (no pun intended) it.
1. I've played both covers and originals. Each is a different situation with its own challenges.
2. Covers or originals - It doesn't matter. I respect quality. I don't automatically respect something just because it's original. I want to hear musicianship and songcraft.
3. Members of good original bands are almost always going to have a long history of playing covers, because you need to cut your teeth on covers to develop the musical chops to write good original music.
4. Most of my favorite local bands are either all original (i.e. Opposition, HOC, 4 Days Dirty, etc.) or play a mix (Felix & the Hurricanes, Flight 19, etc.)
5. Supply & Demand - Do what makes you happy and I wish you the best success in the world, but I don't want to hear people complaining when they have an all-original band doing extreme metal and they're crying that they'll not getting booked at 4D's after playing two shows.
There, that about covers (no pun intended) it.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
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AtoMikEnRtiA
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depends on the region, scene and demographic i guess..
West Central PA (Altoona area) seems to be cover dominated - with good original bands calling that area "home"
Central PA (Carlisle, Harrisburg, York/Lancaster) is original band dominated, with some good cover bands calling that area "home"
same can be said for NEPA, NWPA, and Philadelphia.. so it's all on the demographics and what you want to do or what makes you money I guess..
I prefer original bands, but Im not going to just ignore cover bands - I'm sure when I turn 21 I'll attend more Sound of Silence shows, Im sure I'll see Bad DaZe play some, but of course, not as frequent as Ill be at places like G-Man Mechanicsburg, or Wheelie Bar in York, or places like that closer to my current residence, but I'll check out anything as long as it's entertaining..
just my opinion
West Central PA (Altoona area) seems to be cover dominated - with good original bands calling that area "home"
Central PA (Carlisle, Harrisburg, York/Lancaster) is original band dominated, with some good cover bands calling that area "home"
same can be said for NEPA, NWPA, and Philadelphia.. so it's all on the demographics and what you want to do or what makes you money I guess..
I prefer original bands, but Im not going to just ignore cover bands - I'm sure when I turn 21 I'll attend more Sound of Silence shows, Im sure I'll see Bad DaZe play some, but of course, not as frequent as Ill be at places like G-Man Mechanicsburg, or Wheelie Bar in York, or places like that closer to my current residence, but I'll check out anything as long as it's entertaining..
just my opinion
"okay we got da right and fruffy panacakes. ooooooh ver goood you get da rittre bruberries, too!"
- Keith Reyn on Chinese Waiters at IHOP
- Keith Reyn on Chinese Waiters at IHOP
I like when bands mix them both up, cuz then you have really cool originals to listen too, but then if you dont know the band real well then you can still dance to the covers while your learning the originals,or you just hit every House of Cain , Choking Faith or VTE show you can till you know all the words 
Anyways thats from my dancing point of view...
Anyways thats from my dancing point of view...
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brokenstrings
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Oh What the hell let's stir it up.
writing songs isn't as easy as you might think.
sometimes your ideas work, sometimes they stink
when the crowd reacts to your song, it's better than a cold drink
and if you get very lucky you could be fartin through mink.
seriuosly, It takes balls to put yourself out there by writing a song, giving it to your band and then presenting it to a less than open minded public. to be honest I'm more nervous giving a new song to the band than I am playing it out because most of you aren't really listening anyway.
It takes courage to do original material at all in this area, and I think the bands that do it (at what ever level) should be rewarded for it.
However, covers are what most Altoids want to hear, they, for the most part, are familiar, it's easier, you have a road map. Covers are safe, nuthin wrong with that, this is after all, a business.
But covers are also choices and you can choose to express yourself or not with your choice of what songs to cover. I for one could go a long time without hearing another version of Sweet home Alabama, just an example but you get the point.
I think anyone who gets on stage and plays period, should get a little respect.
If you choose interesting songs to cover and not the usual crap then maybe you should get a little more, and if you do choose to put yourself out there with original material you should get more and if you do ONLY original material then you should get extra credit for courage.
Music should be communication and if you just get up there and slug out the same old crap just to get through it so you get a few free beers then you can do that, it's a free country, but wouldn't it be easier to drink at home?
The bands that I respect the most, are trying to say something, with their originals or their choice of covers.
What are you saying?
writing songs isn't as easy as you might think.
sometimes your ideas work, sometimes they stink
when the crowd reacts to your song, it's better than a cold drink
and if you get very lucky you could be fartin through mink.
seriuosly, It takes balls to put yourself out there by writing a song, giving it to your band and then presenting it to a less than open minded public. to be honest I'm more nervous giving a new song to the band than I am playing it out because most of you aren't really listening anyway.
It takes courage to do original material at all in this area, and I think the bands that do it (at what ever level) should be rewarded for it.
However, covers are what most Altoids want to hear, they, for the most part, are familiar, it's easier, you have a road map. Covers are safe, nuthin wrong with that, this is after all, a business.
But covers are also choices and you can choose to express yourself or not with your choice of what songs to cover. I for one could go a long time without hearing another version of Sweet home Alabama, just an example but you get the point.
I think anyone who gets on stage and plays period, should get a little respect.
If you choose interesting songs to cover and not the usual crap then maybe you should get a little more, and if you do choose to put yourself out there with original material you should get more and if you do ONLY original material then you should get extra credit for courage.
Music should be communication and if you just get up there and slug out the same old crap just to get through it so you get a few free beers then you can do that, it's a free country, but wouldn't it be easier to drink at home?
The bands that I respect the most, are trying to say something, with their originals or their choice of covers.
What are you saying?
Blooz to Youz
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brokenstrings
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I guess it also depends on were your playing more than anything in your choice of material. Take the 4'ds for instance. It seems like if you dont have a version of Jessie's girl no one wants to hear ya. That place loves 80's and rap stuff. On the other hand, in some places that stuff might get your ass kicked.
Fan/listener point of view? Both. If you can write an original song and bring it, I have mucho respect. I'd have to buy a cd and listen to it for a while or come and see the band myself a few times to get used to it. Covers? Sure. Who doesn't like to sing along with band? Everyone loves a familar tune. And if you can bring it like it's been brought by whoever you're coverin', Fucking great.
I think it bears mentioning, as well, that being original doesn't necessarily make you "good." I've written and played many, many songs for crowds, and they weren't all "good," in fact, if I could take some of them back, I would in a minute. Any decent songwriter can tell you, it's all about the song, and if it sucks, well... it sucks. If the locals don't like your originals, you have a couple options: go play somewhere else, or write better songs. Oh, by the way, I'm not the one to judge what a better song is, and really, neither are you. Your audience is.
Being all original is gutsy, I think, and can be rewarding, but can also be sort of like being jack-booted in the face over and over, too. In the end, the cream rises to the top... the songs get better, and the struggle makes you stronger. You live, you learn.-------->JMS
Being all original is gutsy, I think, and can be rewarding, but can also be sort of like being jack-booted in the face over and over, too. In the end, the cream rises to the top... the songs get better, and the struggle makes you stronger. You live, you learn.-------->JMS
I love both!
I love to hear stuff I know...and love to be turned on to stuff that I never heard!.....I know where we come from it's hard to be "all-original"...thats why we do both....It's always been that way here...and playing covers down here is the way to keep working and slipping in an original on them till they get to know it....
Down here it works like this....Covers make the girls dance...Makes the guys who don't dance watch....watchin girls dance, makes beer taste GREAT.....Sells more beer...makes owners happy....makes band Mo money!!
Originals work here but they have to be "catchy"...dancable..(somewhat)...you can play headbanger stuff but you'll loose the girls that wanna shake butt and some guys will follow!
I love to hear stuff I know...and love to be turned on to stuff that I never heard!.....I know where we come from it's hard to be "all-original"...thats why we do both....It's always been that way here...and playing covers down here is the way to keep working and slipping in an original on them till they get to know it....
Down here it works like this....Covers make the girls dance...Makes the guys who don't dance watch....watchin girls dance, makes beer taste GREAT.....Sells more beer...makes owners happy....makes band Mo money!!
Originals work here but they have to be "catchy"...dancable..(somewhat)...you can play headbanger stuff but you'll loose the girls that wanna shake butt and some guys will follow!
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I know I speak for many when I say that I don't want to play or even hear (insert song here - Summer of 69, Keep Your Hands to yourself, Tush, Talk Dirty to Me, Shook Me All Night, etc.) again.
That being said...something crazy is going on because....guess what...the audience does....why? beats the hell out of me. They can get drunk and sing along maybe. Or after hearing these songs a million times, they have finally figured out the rhythm and can dance to them, and anything alien would disrupt their mad dancing skills.
I support original music. Hell, Third Standard released two great CD's in my opinion. We played our original material live. Some of it went over gangbusters....some got crickets.
This is not an original music area. I don't care who wants to argue over it, people in western PA (and this pertains from Erie to Altoona) really are apathetic toward original music. True music fans don't tend to go to bars where 50/50 (half-original/half-cover) bands are playing, because we will inevitably play one of those bar staples, and that is SHOCKING! We must have left all of our integrity in the trailer with empty drum cases and amp covers. How dare we promote our CD's by playing other people's music.
Maybe it's because bars won't book original acts. Maybe it's because your oridinary patron doesn't care about your original music, even if it is quality. Maybe it's because there are few media outlets to push original music (Backyard Rocker being our saving grace).
Maybe we don't advertise hard enough. Maybe we expect fame and a record contract on a silver platter. Maybe it's because we live in an area that would rather go see bands reviving woe-be gone eras that can help them relive a better time in their miserable lives. (this comment is in no fashion an attack on the fine purveyors of 80's music in this area, i enjoy GOS and HF1 and all the other bands do similar themes...but I'm trying to make a point about the average fan in the area, infact several of these bands have original music....and also, they know how to get a crowd onboard)
Originals require a certain element of courage. They require skill and intelligence (sometimes). They require inspiration and dedication. Some originals from bands in this area are good enough to be played right alongside any material on rock or Top 40 stations, but they are not in the RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME. Western and Central PA is not a breeding ground for original music and label interest. It seems more like a stagnant wading pool for quality bands. These quality bands end up burning themselves out, or breaking up.
No personal attacks were made and no puppies were harmed during the typing of this rant
That being said...something crazy is going on because....guess what...the audience does....why? beats the hell out of me. They can get drunk and sing along maybe. Or after hearing these songs a million times, they have finally figured out the rhythm and can dance to them, and anything alien would disrupt their mad dancing skills.
I support original music. Hell, Third Standard released two great CD's in my opinion. We played our original material live. Some of it went over gangbusters....some got crickets.
This is not an original music area. I don't care who wants to argue over it, people in western PA (and this pertains from Erie to Altoona) really are apathetic toward original music. True music fans don't tend to go to bars where 50/50 (half-original/half-cover) bands are playing, because we will inevitably play one of those bar staples, and that is SHOCKING! We must have left all of our integrity in the trailer with empty drum cases and amp covers. How dare we promote our CD's by playing other people's music.
Maybe it's because bars won't book original acts. Maybe it's because your oridinary patron doesn't care about your original music, even if it is quality. Maybe it's because there are few media outlets to push original music (Backyard Rocker being our saving grace).
Maybe we don't advertise hard enough. Maybe we expect fame and a record contract on a silver platter. Maybe it's because we live in an area that would rather go see bands reviving woe-be gone eras that can help them relive a better time in their miserable lives. (this comment is in no fashion an attack on the fine purveyors of 80's music in this area, i enjoy GOS and HF1 and all the other bands do similar themes...but I'm trying to make a point about the average fan in the area, infact several of these bands have original music....and also, they know how to get a crowd onboard)
Originals require a certain element of courage. They require skill and intelligence (sometimes). They require inspiration and dedication. Some originals from bands in this area are good enough to be played right alongside any material on rock or Top 40 stations, but they are not in the RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME. Western and Central PA is not a breeding ground for original music and label interest. It seems more like a stagnant wading pool for quality bands. These quality bands end up burning themselves out, or breaking up.
No personal attacks were made and no puppies were harmed during the typing of this rant
A lot of cool stuff has been said so far, songsmith has a point, original doesn't automatically mean good. But here's the thing ASB10 said:
Is there anything we can do to change this sad situation, if so, what and why aren't we doing it.
a rising tide lifts all boats so maybe is we can educate our audience to be a little more open to new songs/new ideas/new genres of music, more us can get the respect and audience and money (let's get real) we deserve.
Signed
The Rodney Dangefield of local bands
Torn and Freyed had a all orginal movement going there for a while, some nice crowds even for the non-metal bands but what happened to it?Western and Central PA is not a breeding ground for original music and label interest. It seems more like a stagnant wading pool for quality bands.
Is there anything we can do to change this sad situation, if so, what and why aren't we doing it.
a rising tide lifts all boats so maybe is we can educate our audience to be a little more open to new songs/new ideas/new genres of music, more us can get the respect and audience and money (let's get real) we deserve.
Signed
The Rodney Dangefield of local bands
Blooz to Youz
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SpellboundByMetal
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I prefer to play originals. I wont be in a cover band for any amount of $$$. Its just not my thing at all. Especially top 40 covers! Maybe some SLAYER songs or something worth doing. If i dont like the music, i sure as hell cant play it!
Chances are, if its on the radio, i hate it! I dont have any friends who like top 40 crap, so it works out i guess. Actually, the only person i know that listens to the radio is my 16 yr old little sister. Wait, hahaha, one of my best friends from MD likes radio rock stations. He would probably love the bands here.
Covers or not.....assholes or not....most everyone has talent in this area. No one can deny that.
Chances are, if its on the radio, i hate it! I dont have any friends who like top 40 crap, so it works out i guess. Actually, the only person i know that listens to the radio is my 16 yr old little sister. Wait, hahaha, one of my best friends from MD likes radio rock stations. He would probably love the bands here.
Covers or not.....assholes or not....most everyone has talent in this area. No one can deny that.
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JustinGelvin
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Original acts are ARTISTS....
Cover bands are MUSICIANS.....
if you want to make money and play covers, its your god given right to do so....
me personally im into the original music ....[/b]
Cover bands are MUSICIANS.....
if you want to make money and play covers, its your god given right to do so....
me personally im into the original music ....[/b]
www.myspace.com/yourdyingwish1
"True Love Lies in Body Bags The World Can't Hear Your Faintest Crys"
"True Love Lies in Body Bags The World Can't Hear Your Faintest Crys"
Amen!Trucula wrote:I love both!
I love to hear stuff I know...and love to be turned on to stuff that I never heard!.....I know where we come from it's hard to be "all-original"...thats why we do both....It's always been that way here...and playing covers down here is the way to keep working and slipping in an original on them till they get to know it....
Down here it works like this....Covers make the girls dance...Makes the guys who don't dance watch....watchin girls dance, makes beer taste GREAT.....Sells more beer...makes owners happy....makes band Mo money!!
Originals work here but they have to be "catchy"...dancable..(somewhat)...you can play headbanger stuff but you'll loose the girls that wanna shake butt and some guys will follow!
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SpellboundByMetal
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hahahaha, i sure as HELL dont play music to see girls dance! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA is that what music is about?? to watch girls dance??
i NEVER want to see a girl "dancing" to my music ever. i dont play to see girls dance. Thats what loser DJs are for!
We have talked about this in the band....if girls are dancing, we are doing something WRONG. Thats not metal to me at all!
hahahahahahaha, girls dancing....HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
most people are afraid to play "headbanger stuff" as you called it. They rely on the drunk girls so much to make them "popular" . well, i wont hit that angle to get my music out there.
i NEVER want to see a girl "dancing" to my music ever. i dont play to see girls dance. Thats what loser DJs are for!
We have talked about this in the band....if girls are dancing, we are doing something WRONG. Thats not metal to me at all!
hahahahahahaha, girls dancing....HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
most people are afraid to play "headbanger stuff" as you called it. They rely on the drunk girls so much to make them "popular" . well, i wont hit that angle to get my music out there.
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AtoMikEnRtiA
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ive seen a girl dance at a metal show before..SpellboundByMetal wrote:hahahaha, i sure as HELL dont play music to see girls dance! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA is that what music is about?? to watch girls dance??
i NEVER want to see a girl "dancing" to my music ever. i dont play to see girls dance. Thats what loser DJs are for!
We have talked about this in the band....if girls are dancing, we are doing something WRONG. Thats not metal to me at all!
hahahahahahaha, girls dancing....HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
most people are afraid to play "headbanger stuff" as you called it. They rely on the drunk girls so much to make them "popular" . well, i wont hit that angle to get my music out there.
April 8 - Blairsville - E.o.A was playing, there was this huge circlepit that broke out, keep in mind this is a small space from performance area to back wall, and same with glass windows and pool tables - jessy, and dusty were doing their normal thing, Justin for being his first show was moving like his ass was being probed - this pit is so weird, I get knocked down, roughly 2 feet from Jessy and his pedals, right after me like 2 others get knocked down..
and then this girl starts flying through the air, like 15 feet into a wall of people - she does this like 6 times.. haha it was great
it may not be ass shaking dance, but it was aerial manuever, and that was fuckin awesome haha
"okay we got da right and fruffy panacakes. ooooooh ver goood you get da rittre bruberries, too!"
- Keith Reyn on Chinese Waiters at IHOP
- Keith Reyn on Chinese Waiters at IHOP
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SpellboundByMetal
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DUDE, thats not dancing! of course girls mosh and shit! the "ass shaking dance" is what i was talking about. that has no place at a metal show, which is why im assuming those type of people dont go to metal shows...thank God.
"its too loud"...."i cant hear what hes saying"..... "where will i fix my hair?" ......."why do they have to be so angry?" ....... "this is evil"......
"its too loud"...."i cant hear what hes saying"..... "where will i fix my hair?" ......."why do they have to be so angry?" ....... "this is evil"......
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AtoMikEnRtiA
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trust me, ive seen girls shaking their ass at a metal show, too hahaha - do a show in the du bois area, those kids up there are fucked up, they'll do anything they want, they dont give a fuck hahaSpellboundByMetal wrote:DUDE, thats not dancing! of course girls mosh and shit! the "ass shaking dance" is what i was talking about. that has no place at a metal show, which is why im assuming those type of people dont go to metal shows...thank God.
"its too loud"...."i cant hear what hes saying"..... "where will i fix my hair?" ......."why do they have to be so angry?" ....... "this is evil"......
"okay we got da right and fruffy panacakes. ooooooh ver goood you get da rittre bruberries, too!"
- Keith Reyn on Chinese Waiters at IHOP
- Keith Reyn on Chinese Waiters at IHOP
You're opposed to girls dancing? Dude, you're starting to worry me. Not that there's anything wrong with certain, um, lifestyle choices.SpellboundByMetal wrote:hahahahahahaha, girls dancing....HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Hey, different types of music are different forms of communication, and people of course react differently to different messages. You're exactly right that you shouldn't want women dancing to your music . . . that's not the message and the reaction you are trying to achieve.
It's interesting, though, that a lot of musicians in this area associate covers with dance music, and originals with non-dance music. You don't get a lot of groove-oriented original acts at all around here. Not all original music needs to be heavy or progressive or jammy. Nothing against those styles of music at all, but the ratio of metalcore bands to disco bands in Central Pa is seriously skewed.
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AtoMikEnRtiA
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www.myspace.com/visonsofhatredJimi Hatt wrote:You're opposed to girls dancing? Dude, you're starting to worry me. Not that there's anything wrong with certain, um, lifestyle choices.SpellboundByMetal wrote:hahahahahahaha, girls dancing....HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Hey, different types of music are different forms of communication, and people of course react differently to different messages. You're exactly right that you shouldn't want women dancing to your music . . . that's not the message and the reaction you are trying to achieve.
It's interesting, though, that a lot of musicians in this area associate covers with dance music, and originals with non-dance music. You don't get a lot of groove-oriented original acts at all around here. Not all original music needs to be heavy or progressive or jammy. Nothing against those styles of music at all, but the ratio of metalcore bands to disco bands in Central Pa is seriously skewed.
there's a damn good disco band hahaha and trust me, this is the kinda disco i fuckin love haha
** they may not have music up yet, if they don't - you're gonna have to take my word for it, they are fuckin brutal as shit!!**
"okay we got da right and fruffy panacakes. ooooooh ver goood you get da rittre bruberries, too!"
- Keith Reyn on Chinese Waiters at IHOP
- Keith Reyn on Chinese Waiters at IHOP
I was always a cover guym I had some acoustic based originals but never wanted to do much with till recently some guys talk me into pulling some out to record. I'm having a blast doing originals, wrote a few new things and learned how to turn those acoustic based songs into a good rock tune. As far as if it will do anything for me well that is yet to come but I and enjoying the originals. I'll probably always rely on cover to make some spending cash though.
Don't bitch to me about the economy while you're still buying Chinese products.