[78-L] Covers and doodoo (was: In The Mood)

[Steven C. Barr]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Biel" <mbiel at mbiel.com>
<snip>
> So now you can cover your own stuff.  Usually the word cover is
> currently used to denote performers doing songs associated with other
> performers.  Bands call themselves "cover bands" as a way to denote that
> they play hits rather just ordinary songs you might not recognize.  If
> now we consider that a band is doing a cover if they perform songs of
> their own, they ALSO are now a COVER BAND!  You can't win.  Nobody can
> ever perform ANYTHING that is not a cover unless it is a brand new song
> that has never been performed before, even by themselves.
>
These days, the term "cover band" refers to a band who play ONLY hits from
the past (being either too lazy or else not talented enough to write their 
own
material...?!). Sadly, these bands are in MUCH demand by local-level clubs
which feature live music; the crowds are the same folks who listen to 
"Classic
Rock" FM stations! I can understand why "baby boomers" aren't interested
in current pop music (In fact, I can't understand why ANYBODY is?!)...but
they are also "nostalgia-driven" and want to hear the hits from the days
when they didn't need Viagra!

OTOH, the current rage is (are) "Tribute Bands!" THESE outfits learn all
or most of the hits of often long-defunct rock bands...and then play those
at their gigs. Their audiences are generally folks who either can't afford
the original bands...or who know that the bands no longer exist, so the
only way they can hear the music is via a "tribute band!"

I always tried to play 1/3 my originals, 1/3 "covers" of obscure tunes
(generally from my 78's!) and 1/3 (or less) songs from the same bunch
of 50 or so that EVERY blues band plays after requests...!

Steven C. Barr