| I think it pretty much boils down to what your intentions are. If you want to write originals, strive to play/record originals, then that is how you should market your band. Unfortunately you will have those gigs where you need a set of covers to make it through the night. A few clubs will let you play an all original set, but baby, your not getting paid (not very much at least).
Some bands do want to play nothing but covers, rake in whatever dough cover bands make (which I hear is not too bad), look cool, and go home.
Most people will not sit through a long set of originals, it's the "I wanna shake my ass" syndrome. I do not know why people want to hear human jukeboxes (go home and play a damn cd, ipod, whatever), but they do. And the universal appeal of that god-awful song "Mustang Sally" seems to have escaped me.
Covers are a necessary evil, at least for a while, for most bands. I have played both covers and originals, and I have way more joy going home with $20 or getting a free bar tab playing originals than I ever have playing a half cover/half original set, which pays more because you do not have to share with other bands.
It's all a matter of preference though... |