Enough Room In The Market For So Many Covers Bands?

Mark#1

Hi,

I play in a north county Dublin covers band. We go to see as many other similar bands as we can and we also like to hear from friends who see other bands. I gives us ideas and references.

My wife was in McPhails on Sunday at a hen's party. Cunning Stunts were playing - neither her nor I had heard of them, nor heard them, and she used the word FANTASTIC for them.

I've seen Blue Moose who really impressed, excepting the Italian (I think) drummer - he just wasn't interested. I've heard that Big Generator are good. I know The Great Escape are good, though a little sterile.

Obviously the huge amount of covers bands means the flops won't last long, but we're not all no-day-job, practicing-5-hours-a-day, natural-born-talented-singers/guitarists/drummers, so really only a handful bands will consist of all truly talented and passionate members - they'll obviously be the top dogs.

What other REALLY good covers bands are out there? I mean bands who really can get Joe Public and his wife dancing.

Anyone going to see a good RATM or Metallica covers band will be leaping around anyway - that's why they've gone to the gig. But I'm talking about bands (like mine) who play it all: modern radio rock (U2, Green Day, Killers, RHCP, etc) AND classic rock (Deep Purple, Free, etc), AS WELL AS heavier stuff (RATM, Limp Bizkit, Velvet Revolver, etc).

So who do we learn from? Who're the better GENERAL PURPOSE, all-bases-covered, covers bands playing from Swords to Drogheda? What are the factors that make the magic?
Faultless, note-perfect musicianship?
More than one truly talented singer?
Great songs?
Modern/new songs, as opposed to old (possibly played-to-death) classics?
Charisma & sense of humour & interaction with the crowd?
Great sound through a decent PA?
Great light show?

Mark

xual

covers are to keep you warm in beds.. People should expand they're noodle and listen to far out new and origional stuff.

Dj's play others people tunes

Savman

Mark#1 wrote:

Obviously the huge amount of covers bands means the flops won't last long

Not true I'm afraid. The market is swamped with really poor acts. There's no regulation so any aul bunch of cowboys on guitars can get work, but only the decent acts get a good name. Such a rep has to be earned over time (I'm working at it )

What other REALLY good covers bands are out there?

*urge to plug rising* :p

But I'm talking about bands (like mine) who play it all: modern radio rock (U2, Green Day, Killers, RHCP, etc) AND classic rock (Deep Purple, Free, etc), AS WELL AS heavier stuff (RATM, Limp Bizkit, Velvet Revolver, etc).

That's all still Rock though isn't it?

What are the factors that make the magic?
Faultless, note-perfect musicianship?
More than one truly talented singer?
Great songs?
Modern/new songs, as opposed to old (possibly played-to-death) classics?
Charisma & sense of humour & interaction with the crowd?
Great sound through a decent PA?
Great light show?

Well that's a good a place to start as any. Unfortunately most bands don't get that far due to not being arsed.

Savman

xual wrote:

covers are to keep you warm in beds.. People should expand they're noodle and listen to far out new and origional stuff.

Dj's play others people tunes

:rolleyes: x 1,000

Frankiestylee

I think if a cover band can make a song it's own then the band will get talked about. I'm not talking a complete re-working of a classic, but if a band can mix it up enough to give it a live energetic feel rather then just being a less then cd-quality noise to suffer through til the alcohol compensates.
One example off the top of my head is Stoneocean. They're an originals band, but they do play a rockin cover of Take On Me by Aha, but without the synths etc, it's just straight up rockin and it works really well.

Fingers Mcginty

Frankiestylee wrote:

I think if a cover band can make a song it's own then the band will get talked about. I'm not talking a complete re-working of a classic, but if a band can mix it up enough to give it a live energetic feel rather then just being a less then cd-quality noise to suffer through til the alcohol compensates.
One example off the top of my head is Stoneocean. They're an originals band, but they do play a rockin cover of Take On Me by Aha, but without the synths etc, it's just straight up rockin and it works really well.

i played one night in Rush just with me acoustic and they were on after me...excellent band!

Mark#1

When Metallica aren't in town, or U2, or Green Day, or whoever, isn't it nice that fans can go to see a decent covers band or tribute band to get a taste of their favourite band's action?

Personally, I'd MUCH prefer to see a covers band that I knew played music I liked well than watch some band playing tosh I don't even know.

I've absolutely no problem with a covers band throwing in an original tune mid-gig, even if I don't like it - I apreciate and accept that they'd prefer to be respected for writing than for mimicing.

I have a good friend who has written over 20 really good songs, one or two that would even rival anything penned by Ed Vedder or Neil Finn, IMO, and I can't believe that he thinks it's great that I'm out gigging. I am solidly of the opinion that his achievements are astronomically superior to mine - he's actually creating!

Now, anyone can chuck a few chords together and wail a bit of a melody over them, but to call the result a song is often a bit of a stretch of the term - how many bands make it onto the radio, or even achieve world stardom with absolute tripe, simply marketed well?

DJs aren't the only ones who play other people's tunes. Kids picking up guitars for the first time play other people's tunes. Pearl Jam & Metallica play other people's tunes. Johnny Cash releases albums of other people's tunes. I have a CD of Led Zeppelin covers by big acts - Stone Temple Pilots, 4 Non Blondes, Sheryl Crow, Blind Melon & more.

I'm quite sure punters in a pub would prefer to listen to me playing their favourite songs well than some b@st@rd of a "song" that I wrote myself.

Am I to understand that because I can't write a song, I shouldn't be in a band? I should give up music as my hobby?

Anyway, my OP question was who are the really good covers bands in the area I mentioned, not "am I allowed to be in a covers band"? or "should I keep gigging with my covers band"?

Thanks to those who answered my OP question. If there are more, please let me know. And plugs are welcome, if the forum allows them - just don't claim to be good if you're not.

Having seen Blue Moose and hearing about Cunning Stunts, I reckon they get about 9/10 and 10/10, respectively - based on that, I reckon my bands at about 7/10, maybe pushing 8/10. Our failing is that only the singer can sing. Me & the drummer can scrape out some harmonies/backing vox, but it's always the vocals that separates good covers bands from great covers bands.

That said, with a choice of songs that suit our natural and learned abilities, I know that we're at least as good as a lot of bands out there. In fact, I was at a wedding recently where I was looking forward to hearing this particular band on foot of hearing great praise and reports that they've been playing some decent local venues.

The bass player sang really well, but they weren't very tight, their sound wasn't really that punchy and the musical parts weren't as close to the original parts as I would accept in my band. I had guessed they might be 9/10-ish, but even for their best songs, I thought 6/10 or 7/10 was closer to the mark. Friends at the wedding who had also seen a few of our gigs said we blew them away on more than a few of the songs that we both play.

They were much better than us with punter communication and banter - credit where it's due.

Anyway, thanks for the replies - all of them.

Mark

miju

Mark#1 wrote:

Obviously the huge amount of covers bands means the flops won't last long, but we're not all no-day-job, practicing-5-hours-a-day, natural-born-talented-singers/guitarists/drummers, so really only a handful bands will consist of all truly talented and passionate members - they'll obviously be the top dogs.

i know for a fact one of the "top-dog" cover bands in ireland don't actually play any instruments at all , it's all backing tracks durms , guitar, bass and vocals they make an absolute mint and they put on a brilliant show and thats what has em so popular

Savman

http://www.santoria.ie/ :D:D;););)
also check out the following and judge for yizzer selves:
http://www.bluemoose.ie/
http://www.whitewater.ie/
http://www.loaded.ie/
http://www.thebiggenerator.com/
http://www.j-90.net/
http://www.deuceswild.ie/

There are a dozen others I cant remember the sites for: Raindance, After Dark, Big Chill, 5th Avenue, Hard To Touch etc.

Something there for everyone methinks...

icon

Dudes please don't take cover bands too seriously! They are not a threat! It's great fun, you play your favorite tunes, you make money, and on a good night you'll get all the chicks dancing too. I've done it, it's a great way of financing an original band and keeping up your live skills.

As a music fan I prefer to see a real live band, a dj playing mp3's thru his laptop is soul destroying. Everyone loves covers, let not be Taliban fundamentalists over this!

I used to go and see a band in the early 90's and they got me interested in lots of music.

Plenty of people played covers, Jimi Hendrix played covers with bands for years before he was famous. And he cover Dylan's 'Watchtower' and created the definitiive version. Don't be afraid of covers!