Off Topic Getting Back Into a Cover Band - Relapse

[ScoobySteve]

So long bio short, I've been playing for a bit over 13 years now, and after doing a lot of gigging in high school and post graduation, most of my guitar playing has been relegated to small gigs and bedroom playing.

I've moved to Korea and with the lack of huge musical base, there wasn't too much outlet. That was until I looked harder and there are a decent number of musicians here.

I was asked to take over as lead for a Metallica cover band. And at first I was excited to get back onstaqe and play, but the other part of my brain is reminding me of the "no more cover bands!" promise I made to myself a while ago.

I dropped by the band's set the other night. Wonderful performance. I was tempted again, and the drummer and bassist pushed me hard. But I remember the days of rehearsing, promoting, gigging and having a great time. But that's it. We'd just prep for another cover gig and the cycle repeats. It felt like I never grew as a musician when the band you played in wanted to cover full time. Not to mention that while I love Metallica, its not the music that moves me anymore.

Being on stage is fun and I've been trying to get a 3 piece blues/blues rock set together, but its slow going. Part of my brain is rationalizing that I should just play the cover band until something happens, but I dunno.

Sort of just venting, but what would you guys do?

 

[banjoplayer]

playing is always better than not playing, even in a cover band! My opinion...

 

[Hoffmann]

playing is always better than not playing, even in a cover band! My opinion...

Exactly - and once you started playing again in this band you'll soon meet other musicians and might find another band! You won't meet anyone in your bedroom most probably.

(I mean musicians...)

 

[Spudmurphy]

Well I really got disillusioned with the music scene as I went from my 20's into my 30's.
I had grown up in what I think was the golden age - The Who, Led Zep, Free, Black Sabbath, Little Feat, Deep Purple, Cream, Jeff Beck, etc and maybe I thought at the time that it was just a question of growing older but basically I was getting fed up with what was now out there and what I was playing. I played in one of the best Blues bands in Cardiff then drifted away from that
I eventually started playing again, and now playing in a covers band sates my appetite for playing. Gone are the days of lots of gear - big Pa's roadies, a bus etc and I get pleasure from playing in a covers band. It keeps you on your toes and you get to dealing with problems that you encounter live - and boy do you learn from them.

So yeah - if you enjoy it - play in that covers band - you will be all the better for it.

 

[wired]

My band plays much less than we used to, only 10-12 shows a year, but it's enough to still have fun. Doing covers, you always have to play some stuff you're not crazy about, there's no way around it. If you're having fun, that's all that counts.

 

[guitarp77]

If the decission is between playing or not playing, then I'd go with the first one.

As long as you're enjoying yourself and wiping the rust off your chops, then you should go for it!

That being said, you'd not be commited for life with that band, so just think about the moment and the future will bring whatever you desire.

Music should always be FUN.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Thanks for the replies guys. The main argument being "playing and not playing" but I do play. I think its between "being on stage or not being on stage" that's the linger. I do have a lot of fun and creative joy stemming from being a player at home, recording at my home studio, but after some time off from live gigs, you miss playing live.

I guess its just been some time now, and if I want to play live, I really want to play music that inspires me.

Thanks again guys, keep em coming.

 

[LawDaddy]

I consider myself as much an entertainer as a guitar player. I do play at home a lot, but the entertainment factor is a little higher when there is a crowd. I've played in original acts, with national acts, but my current band (a tribute band that specializes in Memphis soul) is one of the most fun acts from an entertainment perspective. A happy crowd = a good evening. I would imagine a top-notch Metallica thing in Korea would be a fun act.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I consider myself as much an entertainer as a guitar player. I do play at home a lot, but the entertainment factor is a little higher when there is a crowd. I've played in original acts, with national acts, but my current band (a tribute band that specializes in Memphis soul) is one of the most fun acts from an entertainment perspective. A happy crowd = a good evening. I would imagine a top-notch Metallica thing in Korea would be a fun act.

Thanks for your personal advice. But would you feel the same way if the cover band you've been offered to play in was in a genre totally different to what you love now?

I feel myself resisting this so vehemently, and I dunno why. Guess I'm looking for a bit of perspective, and your reply was helpful, thanks!

 

[straycat113]

Lionel I dont think your heart is into playing Metallica at this point in time so I would say nix it. You will come across a drummer and bass player who want to play the music you want to play -give it time. On the flip side if you take the cover gig and you find your bass player and drummer you stick the guys in the cover band to have to find a replacement. Also that is a lot of work learning all those Metallica songs, it sounds like your heart is not in it. Maybe you will get a better feel at a rehearsal or two.

 

[LawDaddy]

Thanks for your personal advice. But would you feel the same way if the cover band you've been offered to play in was in a genre totally different to what you love now?

I feel myself resisting this so vehemently, and I dunno why. Guess I'm looking for a bit of perspective, and your reply was helpful, thanks!

Here are the criteria as I see them. To make any gig worthwhile you need to have at least two of the following three: 1) Good money; 2) Great material; and/or 3) Cool band members.

Give me two of the three, and I'm game. Get *all* three, and you have a dream gig. I've played many gigs with cool people for good money, and could care less about the material. My current act is great people playing fantastic material, our agent is working on the pay.

I would think you would have to be a Metallica fan to be in a tribute act, I assumed you were. Sounds like you dig the band members - but if you hate the material, could be an issue. I think to be fair to the other members you have to be honest if the band's selling point is an evening of Metallica.

 

[threeminutesboy]

being on stage is the way to go! If I can't gig, I feel I 'm missing something important with the music: Sharing it and as law daddy said I think we are entertainers

 

[luv]

I can't see much attraction in playing music that your heart and head are not into.

Maybe go practice with the band and see if it inspires you to revisit whatever genre of metal Metallica is classified as.

(or are they just considered "pop" or "rock" now?)

 

[beej]

It always seems like it'll be fun to take any gig when you haven't played in a while. But if you're not really into it, I find it sours pretty quickly.

I'd hold out for something you really enjoy playing. (In the meantime, jam with anybody you can!)

 

[ScoobySteve]

Thanks Jason! I guess I should explain my predicament here a bit more, but all the responses have been awesome.

I'm from Downey, California, the high school hometown of Hetfield and Co. The first songs I learned to play were Metallica. The first cover bands I did. For years this is what I did, 'cause it was just an environment that bred it. And I loved it, but growing up as a musician and with changing tastes I realized that after years of playing someone else's material really hindered my growth. I've always felt to some extent that I didn't reach my goals to the degrees I wanted. So I promised myself no more "cover gigs"

But as you guys have mentioned... sometimes just having fun is the point. I feel like I'm making a big issue about nothing, I dunno! haha

Thanks for the responses guys

 

[BUC]

Don't pass up opportunities! You can always quit a band. But you don't frequently come upon a going concern that you might fit into. You'll learn more by playing than waiting for the perfect opportunity.

By coincidence: I REALLY learned how to play guitar in Korea in the mid 90's. I was a keyboard player and dabbled in guitar. Then I went to Korea and some guys I worked with were looking for a guitar player and I was surprisingly the best option available for them. The isolation of being in Korea allowed me to really focus on guitar and I became a much much better player within months. Additionally it seemed like Korea was starving for good rock bands. I had a blast playing in Korea and even ended up meeting my wife at a gig there (Canadian, not Korean) although we didn't get married for a long time after that. I came home from Korea and kept playing guitar seriously in bands and only recently got back into keyboards.

 

[Gio_Force_One]

I love playing live and playing guitar in general and have been in both cover and original bands and have found that both were fun just in different ways.
Unfortunatly where I live all the cover bands play the same thing and it gets boring to me so I have stayed out of it for the last year And I would love to play again but all the clubs are closing down and there's too many cover bands and the ones that hav contacted play the same old boring songs and I have had ears o the same songs and my heart is just into it anymore I want to do something a little different but I have put ads up looking and nothing. I was trying to start a rockabilly band but apparently I am the only One around here.
I got an offer to play guitar in a godsmack tribute and they are popular and play of and possibly make gOod money but I dont think I would ever really be into it.
I love to play but I want to be happy too so right now just jamming with friends othe occasional open mic is good enough till I find the right fit for me.
Just do what makes you happy. And as Long as your having fun and the band members are cool why not go for it. Good luck keep us updated.

 

[banjoplayer]

The main argument being "playing and not playing" but I do play. I think its between "being on stage or not being on stage" that's the linger.

sorry for being unprecise. Of course by saying "playing" I meant "playing live on stage". Bedroom playing is always possible and nothing you need a Metallca cover band for But I fully understand your doubts! Of course the decision is not that easy. I would rehearse with them and see if it is fun

 

[guitarp77]

Well, just another quick thought...you are not going to "marry" this cover band, so if you wear out pretty soon, you can always leave. Maybe just telling the band that you´re up for a short trial period, and see how everything flows?

Playing live will definitely light up the spark to better things musically speaking!