05-16-2002, 09:17 AM
As a rule, I hate pop music, so my opinions are biased.
Anyway, I'm friends with a couple of guys in a fairly successful band. Not a band that's been on the MTV or the Z100, not even close, but they've seen some success, enough to get a major label deal.
They started out doing covers of somewhat popular hard rock songs, and doing them very well. As they progressed, they slowly moved away from the covers and played more original material. These days, their shows are 90% original, with a few covers to appease the long time fans who still long for the days of RATM and Nirvana tunes.
Conclusion: Cover songs people know, but cover them well. Nothing sucks worse than an awful version of "Fade To Black." Build an audience, then start working original songs into your setlist. If you're good, they'll keep coming. If you're very good, you'll get a deal. If you're not good, prepare to play "Freebird" in bars for the next 20 years...
Anyway, I'm friends with a couple of guys in a fairly successful band. Not a band that's been on the MTV or the Z100, not even close, but they've seen some success, enough to get a major label deal.
They started out doing covers of somewhat popular hard rock songs, and doing them very well. As they progressed, they slowly moved away from the covers and played more original material. These days, their shows are 90% original, with a few covers to appease the long time fans who still long for the days of RATM and Nirvana tunes.
Conclusion: Cover songs people know, but cover them well. Nothing sucks worse than an awful version of "Fade To Black." Build an audience, then start working original songs into your setlist. If you're good, they'll keep coming. If you're very good, you'll get a deal. If you're not good, prepare to play "Freebird" in bars for the next 20 years...