Being in a tribute band is...

[Greazygeo]

I've played in a few tribute bands...two different Maiden and a Priest act. With the 1st Maiden we had the stage set, an Eddie, fog, pyro the whole deal. It was really a great time.

The Priest act was good too, too bad the signer disappeared.

Done originals, and reg covers too. It's all good in my book, pros and cons either way you go.

 

[degenaro]

You mean for the bread...sure.

 

[TheMagicEight]

I think it's only cool if the original band is no longer together. If they're still together, fine, but it's not something I'd want to watch unless the original doesn't sound good or something.

 

[Zachman]

You mean for the bread...sure.

Yes, Exactly-- that's what "professional" is all about-- getting paid to do it, right?


The art of making money (playing music), is separated from the art of making music, or performing in a musical show by one very important thing; making money from it or not.

 

[degenaro]

You mean for the bread...sure.

Yes, Exactly-- that's what "professional" is all about-- getting paid to do it, right?


The art of making money (playing music), is separated from the art of making music, or performing in a musical show by one very important thing; making money from it or not.

I'm not a big believer in art with most music, to me the majority of what I do/did and what I come across is more akin to craft. And who wants to be a starving craftsman.
On the other hand I know plenty of guys that rather teach then take gigs they deem beneath them, regardless of pay...me, I got bills and will take pretty much anything that pays well.

 

[Zachman]

You mean for the bread...sure.

Yes, Exactly-- that's what "professional" is all about-- getting paid to do it, right?


The art of making money (playing music), is separated from the art of making music, or performing in a musical show by one very important thing; making money from it or not.

I'm not a big believer in art with most music, to me the majority of what I do/did and what I come across is more akin to craft. And who wants to be a starving craftsman.
On the other hand I know plenty of guys that rather teach then take gigs they deem beneath them, regardless of pay...me, I got bills and will take pretty much anything that pays well.

Ya, I don't think we're really saying anything in opposition to one another. A craft is a skill, especially involving practical arts. It may refer to a trade or particular art-- is partly how it's defined.

As for teaching-- that in and of itself, is a separate art-- as I see it.

 

[degenaro]

You mean for the bread...sure.

Yes, Exactly-- that's what "professional" is all about-- getting paid to do it, right?


The art of making money (playing music), is separated from the art of making music, or performing in a musical show by one very important thing; making money from it or not.

I'm not a big believer in art with most music, to me the majority of what I do/did and what I come across is more akin to craft. And who wants to be a starving craftsman.
On the other hand I know plenty of guys that rather teach then take gigs they deem beneath them, regardless of pay...me, I got bills and will take pretty much anything that pays well.

Ya, I don't think we're really saying anything in opposition to one another. A craft is a skill, especially involving practical arts. It may refer to a trade or particular art-- is partly how it's defined.

As for teaching-- that in and of itself, is a separate art-- as I see it.

yeah...we're agreeing, was just vamping off it..

 

[Zachman]

You mean for the bread...sure.

Yes, Exactly-- that's what "professional" is all about-- getting paid to do it, right?


The art of making money (playing music), is separated from the art of making music, or performing in a musical show by one very important thing; making money from it or not.

I'm not a big believer in art with most music, to me the majority of what I do/did and what I come across is more akin to craft. And who wants to be a starving craftsman.
On the other hand I know plenty of guys that rather teach then take gigs they deem beneath them, regardless of pay...me, I got bills and will take pretty much anything that pays well.

Ya, I don't think we're really saying anything in opposition to one another. A craft is a skill, especially involving practical arts. It may refer to a trade or particular art-- is partly how it's defined.

As for teaching-- that in and of itself, is a separate art-- as I see it.

yeah...we're agreeing, was just vamping off it..

 

[degenaro]

I think as long as you are out there playing your guitar, getting noticed, making future connections, and getting paid..... why the hell not. You can do that or sit in you bedroom another weekend.

Dude, I was hanging with my friend Chris (whose day gig is Bush) at Bryan Carlstrom/Dave Jerden's studio and we were asked how we knew each other...any ways, the guy that is the mutual friend that introduced us is likely the only guy I've come across with stronger single string chops than shawn Lane. But he is one of those guys -to quote him-who would rather be...a greeter at walmart than taking a gig that's not 110 percent of what he wants it to be.

 

[mixohoytian]

I think as long as you are out there playing your guitar, getting noticed, making future connections, and getting paid..... why the hell not. You can do that or sit in you bedroom another weekend.

Dude, I was hanging with my friend Chris (whose day gig is Bush) at Bryan Carlstrom/Dave Jerden's studio and we were asked how we knew each other...any ways, the guy that is the mutual friend that introduced us is likely the only guy I've come across with stronger single string chops than shawn Lane. But he is one of those guys -to quote him-who would rather be...a greeter at walmart than taking a gig that's not 110 percent of what he wants it to be.

In this guys case he may want a forum for his chops, but in most cases I would say this is directly related to someone who only understands writing/composing. In that sense, at the end of the day, is the "guy in bush" any more important to music in a creative, historical sense than the guy greeting you at walmart?

A Composer I respected at school, when asked about whether one should pursue a music career (teaching credential, music history, etc...) in order to avoid loosing music in their life...ie..be a shameful walmart greeter
...He answered, specifically in regards to composing:
"find a boring job that pays the bills so in your free time you can compose"
He pointed out that many of his friends quit composing as soon as they got busy with their academic careers.


To try and move that philosophy over to the rock world
one of my favorites: Steve Morse
He flew planes for a portion of his life
If for some reason he went back to flying planes but still released his own music, I'd have way more respect for him than if he was the guy playing for Incubus or whatever

Neal Morse
progressive rock guy I dig, used to be in Spock's Beard, he does solo albums...prog rock doesn't pay much, he has some kind of day job to exist...check him out, he's kind like...what if "insert great singer/songwriter name here" never made it, got a regular job, but continued to make music and made a small name for himself in his 40s

lot's of creative minds are like that

session players/hired guns have a lot of skill and are a hard gig to get into, but they can not usually be in the same mind frame as someone that puts all their energy into their own thing

My only point is that there are 2 mind frames, usually you can only be 1 or the other
yes, some do both, but usually to be great it seems like you have to pick one or the other

as for cover bands/ tribute bands they are...well if someone is having fun and getting paid, more power to them

I will say, however, when I need to hire a musician for recording, I skip the local tribute scene and find someone in the jazz scene or anywhere else, may pay a lot more, but usually have to do that to find serious guys

 

[Strat+Marshall]

I think they are cooler than a cover band, you can actually focus on getting the songs to sound right since it is all the same artist/band. Most cover bands are just a group of musicians making their way through some dumb downed songs. Tributes usually make a lot more than most cover bands and they have a built in draw if you pick a popular band. I am sticking to original stuff for the time being, but I would join a cool tribute act if the opportunity popped up. Covers? unless it was already a successful cover band, it would not be worth my time (money wise alone).

 

[70strathead]

i think another interesting thing about tributes is that there are success stories around them ..The judas priest tribute guy who now is in Yngwie's band, I think one of the Journey singers but i could be wrong, and actually my singer who just recently got the Quiet Riot gig. I know in So. Cal there is good money vs. the cover thing. Ralph and the Atomics Punks were one of the the front runners that turned it into a big time cash cow...lots of other acts are caryying that torch. The downside for me, i get bored playing other peoples music and dont need to the money, but if i did depend on it, I really would have to sit down and think about balancing income with playing in a gig that would be fun and challenging and allowed me to grow musically.

 

[RaceU4her]

i tend to look at cover and tribute bands as paid entertainers to provide background noise for people that would be at the bar anyway and not musicians.

 

[Meathead]

If playing covers is beneath you then sit in your bedroom and wish for instant stardom.

I have lots of clips of EVH playing covers before he was signed...pretty well all famous guitar players played covers to work on their skills, develop their style and get out there playing live.

I like to go out and play, meet other great musicians, crank my gear, sing, have fun...of course I'd rather be in a band playing material I helped write, but I'd rather play covers than not play out live at all.

 

[blackba]

I would be in a tribute band, if it was a band I really liked. I would love to be in Beach Boys tribute band, but I am not sure I could stay in bed for 3 years like Brian Wilson to get ready for it

Cover bands and tribute bands are different, but both seemed to be looked down upon by those in original bands. All are tough in their own right. I think it would be tough to nail the stuff in a tribute band. The stigma as already hinted at in this thread is that cover/tribute bands can't write their own music, so they play in cover/tribute bands. That is just BS and not what I have found at all. All the guys I know in cover bands in the area have written songs, many are pretty darn good too.

In my area, the difference between a cover band and original band, is that in a cover band you can find paying gigs. Original bands are generally paying for free or close to it. In my area there are old guys playing in cover bands, mainly classic rock and blues. The original bands are all nu-metal and young dudes.

 

[walshinator666]

It doesn't matter if your in a tribute band,cover band,or original band as long as you do what you love.I've got a kid, a good job and i'm 41 so I've put my dreams of being a "rock star" away years ago.Now I just play in a cover band and everything fits together nicely.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

i tend to look at cover and tribute bands as paid entertainers to provide background noise for people that would be at the bar anyway and not musicians.

A live jukebox in the background, that could be better or worse than the original recordings.

 

[Bishop5150]

I think it's all cool. Whatever makes you happy. My band does an all original set for some shows and we have an all cover set we do for other shows. I've been asked to be apart of a couple of tribute bands and would love to do it but I stay pretty busy with my band. To say that if you play in a cover band or tribute band means you can't write your own music is just wrong. Don't agree with that statement.

 

[RockStarNick]

i tend to look at cover and tribute bands as paid entertainers to provide background noise for people that would be at the bar anyway and not musicians.

Paid entertainers, yes. Background noise, perhaps. But not musicians?

So people who are in an orchestra playing Beethoven's symphonies, are not musicians? Aren't they basically in a cover band too?

Tribute bands may not be "Artists", but they are 100% musicians.

Is Pete Thorn not a "musician" because he played in Chris Cornell's backing band, playing all Soundgarden/Cornell tunes? I think he'd totally disagree with you.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I did the original thing for like 15 years...put out a couple of cds...did some mini-touring, etc...and basically put myself deep into debt because of it. It was fun but now that I'm in TWO tribute bands, I'm having a blast. I make very good money, play great venues in front of packed houses, mostly made up of women, and get treated like a rockstar. Neither way is wrong...it's just about what you want to do.

to those that say being in a cover/tribute band doesn't make you a musician...well....ummm....nevermind, I'll keep my words to myself.