What Is A Cover Band?
Audience. Photo credit: toddmoritz
This definition shocks a lot of people
A cover band is a band that forms to play other people's songs with the goal of entertaining an audience to make money. I have taken a lot of jokes, insults and even out-right anger from people when they find out I play in a cover band.
- "Can't you write you own songs?""I'd never cheapen myself like that"
- "You're a capitalist for making money out of music."
If you play in a cover band you've probably heard these before. I really want to hear the best insults you've had. Or the best insults you've ever given someone for playing in a cover band! Leave your replies in the comments. With this much stigma, why would you do it? Why would you play in a cover band? Let's look first at a bigger question:
Why do cover bands exist?
You could say that cover bands exist purely to make money but that's not the whole story. Why does any business exist? Shell, General Electric, Walmart... the ethics of big business is open to debate but all these companies make life better for people in some way.
They put fuel in our cars, power in our homes, clothes on our backs. Microsoft make home computers user-friendly so everyone in the world can use one (ok, so Vista wasn't great but hey no one's perfect.)
So why do cover bands exist? Even though many musicians look down on them for not writing their own songs and trying to make a quick buck, cover bands make life better for people. People really like going out to see a band and hearing their favourite songs. And with a band you get so much more of a show than you would with a DJ or an iPod linked to a PA system.
How do they work?
Original bands make a lot of money if you "make it." But that usually means many years of hard work with little reward before you get there. Cover bands give you much more instant cash. You get together with some friends, learn some songs and you can be out gigging in a few weeks if you're good.
You can then use this money to:
- Support your life - Pay your bills, put food on the table etc...
- Push your drumming forward - New gear, lessons, books...
- Fund your "original band" - Fuel costs, tour costs, tshirts, stuidio time, album pressings...
I know a lot of original bands (bands that write their own songs) that do this.
In general you can expect to earn between $75 to $1000 depending on the type of event that you do. Not bad for a few hours work.
Being in a cover band
To be in a cover band you need to be playing at quite a high level. This is because you have to remember a huge amount of songs, play in a number of different styles and play long sets. The band I am in typically plays 3-4 hour sets. That's about 50 songs so try to join a band with people who can really play and who are fast at learning new songs.
Even though it's a lot of songs, the great thing is that you only have to learn them once! After that you can make money playing them many times over. A great return on your initial investment of time.
Some of the best musicians I have ever played with has been through cover bands. They are a great place to learn how to play your instrument properly, learn how to play with other people, learn how to entertain a crowd and they put money in your pocket at the end of the night. Fantastic.
What do I think a cover band is?
If I wasn't in a cover band then I would have to earn money in some other way and, I don't know about you, but proper jobs don't appeal to me. So to me, a cover band is a vehicle that I use to live my dreams. My "job" enables me to travel, meet people, play drums, become a better musician, have a great time and make money. Does yours?
Your dreams are like a destination in the distance. There's lots of different ways to get there. Why not take the "Cover-Band Boulevard" instead of the "Rat-Race Roadway?"
What's your opinion?
Alex
--------------------
Related posts:
- How I Got Paid $445 To Hang Out With My Best Friends At New Year Ok, I'm a little embarressed about the title I'm sitting...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Print This Post
January 15th, 2010 - 07:20
Wow, and I haven’t even got a band yet
Y’know, one of my dreams is to sing. I know this sounds weird, and totally far-fetched, but if at all I do get to live that dream of mine, I’ll probably enlist you. =)
January 15th, 2010 - 12:58
troisnyx*,
Thanks, I feel honoured!
I’m all for crazy, far-fetched dreams but I think for your 1st band you should stick a little closer to home
Alex
January 15th, 2010 - 10:55
Excellent write i say!
I have to admit, i too used to frown at cover bands. I wasnt sure why folk would ofter move from band to band, only doing covers, but the more i was around this, the more i understood what goes on in a cover band. Its a great way to home in your skills. Being a good drummer boils down to cutting back the ever present ’show-off’ urge and just keeping it simple, tight and technically to the book! Lets face it, crowd pleasers are normally fairly simple pop/rock songs, no need for massive fills all over the place. Kick back and keep it tight!
keep em comming Alex sir!
January 15th, 2010 - 13:31
Stefan,
Wow, what a great comment! You’ve really nailed the benefits that you get from playing in a cover band.
I like when you say “Being a good drummer boils down to cutting back the ever present ’show-off’ urge.” Gigs aren’t about YOU. They are about the songs, the band, the music and, most importantly, your audience.
Playing in front of people who just want to hear their favourite song and who couldn’t care less about who you are is a really humbling experience. Sometimes it’s good to trim your ego a bit and remember that you’re not a rock star… yet!
Alex