When Does a Band Become a "Cover Band"?

[scary groove]

Ok. I went to check out Quiet Riot last night as it was a free show at the beach. While the band was pretty good, only the drummer is an original member. To me it seemed like a good "cover" band. Now bands like Y&T have only one original member, but it is the singer and main guitar player (Dave Meniketti). But bands like Quuensryche, Skid Row, Warrant all have most of their original members, they do not have the original singer.

So, in your opinion, what make these bands a "cover" band? Original singer? Original member(s)?

 

[GregM]

An interesting subject I've given a bit of thought to over the last several years. It's subjective I think and is different in each case, but all boils down to personal opinion.

I was just talking about this with a guy at work the other day and the example I brought up was Lynyrd Skynyrd, where if I remember correctly Rossington is the only remaining original member. When a band is around for that amount of time and members come and go at different times throughout a span of 40 years it's kind of a gray area. Chicago is another good example. It's kind of like Grandpa's hammer that has been handed down generations and somebody replaced the head and somebody else replaced the handle, but it's still referred to as Grandpa's hammer.

What's caused me to ponder this question in the last several years is all the shit that has been slung about Alice in Chains continuing with Duvall and they should no longer be called AIC without Layne. That one I don't have an issue with, Cantrell's vocal contributions I think are part of it. Perhaps hypocritical, I used to be a big Saliva fan and after Josey left I could care less about their new material or even going to see them when they're across town. To me it's no longer the same band but plenty of others wouldn't care.

 

[romanianreaper]

I was just talking about this with a guy at work the other day and the example I brought up was Lynyrd Skynyrd, where if I remember correctly Rossington is the only remaining original member.

Skynyrd is different to me than some of these other bands. Even though Rossington is the only original member, Ricky Medlocke was with them for awhile before he started Blackfoot, and Johnny Van Zant is Ronnie's brother so there are some ties there.

I also look at a band and what specific members are still in the band. For example Eddie Van Halen is irreplaceable in Van Halen in my opinion. He has to be there. I'm a big KISS fan and Gene is the face of KISS. If he left, I just don't see how they could continue.

Britney Fox tours and the only original member is the bass player. See I don't get that at all. Lol.

 

[LP Freak]

Well if Britney Fox can do it than anyone can.

 

[Mailman1971]

We always have 'Angus Young and friends'

 

[mojotone]

We always have 'Angus Young and friends'

You beat me to that answer. I have to watch my DVD of "Let there be Rock" to see my favorite version of AC/DC, even if they were more popular in the next few years. Bon Scott was a major part of that band's sound and enigma. The raw sound of Powerage is what I like. When Highway to Hell came about they sounded a bit too polished in the studio, probably because of the people involved in the production of the recording.

 

[Racerxrated]

It really depends on the band. Saw Ratt 15 yrs ago with Warren and the singer from Love/Hate and they were killer. Saw Ratt with Pearcy and they were good as well. Bands that have a really dominant singer or guitar player, I think if either of those are original it works. Sorry Bass players/drummers.

 

[Starman22]

Usually when a band refers to itself as Mach 2?

 

[sytharnia1560]

to me if there is one "original" member then its not a covers band.....Technically Frankie isn't the original drummer either so I guess they are a covers band?

 

[sefloval]

[/youtube]

Usually when a band refers to itself as Mach 2?

LOL don't go bringing Spinal Tap Mach II into this. I saw them on the Puppet Show/Tap tour and they were AMAZING

 

[Findthetone1]

I think you become one when you start finding your singers on YouTube.

 

[SLOgriff]

I think you become one when you start finding your singers on YouTube.

 

[paulyc]

Quiet Riot has Chuck Wright on bass still ? He was on Metal Health. Y&T gets a pass because the other 3 guys are dead so Meniketti is by himself through no fault of his own.

 

[scary groove]

We always have 'Angus Young and friends'

My favorite is the Bobby Blotzer "Ratt Experience"

Quiet Riot has Chuck Wright on bass still ? He was on Metal Health. Y&T gets a pass because the other 3 guys are dead so Meniketti is by himself through no fault of his own.

Yes Chuck was there. James Durbin was the singer. The guitar guy idk

 

[paulyc]

Alex Rossi I think ? He's been with Frankie a long time.

 

[Alex_S]

Imho it has nothing to do with who left or how many. There are many examples where Mk2s did their own thing and the band did not became a cover band at all (Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Metallica, Van Halen, AC/DC with Brian...). That does not necessarily mean all fans liked the new version of the band, but the band for sure were no cover bands.
I think it is just if the new material they put out is successful (good?) enough to generate enough demand to play it.

E.g. Van Hagar was very successful and was not a cover band at all at that time. Now, even with DLR back they became one in my opinion. Same for Black Sabbath. Metallica was one, let's see if they can turn around now...

 

[romanianreaper]

I think you become one when you start finding your singers on YouTube.

Hey no need to post Backstreet Boys in this post. I thought we were talking about rock bands?

 

[romanianreaper]

Well if Britney Fox can do it than anyone can.

I don't think he is wearing the 1800's prostitute look anymore though.

 

[boost]

Saw Foreigner last year and Mick Jones wasn't there so...

 

[SLOgriff]

Saw Foreigner last year and Mick Jones wasn't there so...

...that there is a tribute Foreigner band!