When Does a Band Become a "Cover Band"?

[mojotone]

Let's imagine ZZ Top without Rev. Willie G playing guitar. No matter how good this person might be, it's not going to be the same. Just like SRV.

 

[shredhead7]

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

Came here to say this. Not one single member of the band is in the band when Mick is not feeling well.

I saw Blotzer's Ratt last year and I would say that fit the bill of cover band. Aside from a bass player in a hair metal band, the next replaceable member in a hair band outside of a Tommy Lee, is the drummer. So, there's that...

 

[stdio]

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)?

Are you in SC? I am a local also but missed that show. I had two other friends that went and haven't heard back from them yet on the show. I would give Y&T a pass as the 'new' line up is great and i have seen them many time in SC. I heard a story that there second guitar player (John) has been involved with the band since the mid 80's and might have even been the guy inside 'Rock' the robot they were using as part of their shows back then. As far as other bands sometimes it matters to me (AC/DC) and others (Queensryche) not so much. We are lucky to be able to see some of these guys as we all age.

 

[GOHOINC]

Perhaps there is a grey area where its not the original band, its not a cover band, its just a different band that plays tunes from the members past bands?

Cover band to me means you are playing other peoples stuff and/or not putting out any material of your own. If the material you are playing is your own creation/contribution from past or present its not really a cover... Were Audioslave, Velvet Revolver or now Prophets of Rage cover bands? Kinda maybe?

Shit how many of the greats had mega hits or classics by covering someone elses song? Hendrix, SRV, Clapton, Zeppelin, the list goes on and on. They get redeemed because they also played their own originals too but they made a lot of money with the stuff they covered too.

In reality, a cover band is a band that plays cover songs and hasn't made it big for any reason... If you've made it big, you can cover anything you like and still not be considered a cover band by most people i think.