What Would the Setbacks Do?
Email questions to advice[at]thesetbacks.com
Credible Rock?
September 2nd, 2003
Melanie Pickford writes:
Hey guys, I've been reading your column here for a while and I've seen a couple of your shows. I really think you guys have the full package.
Anyways, here is the problem that I'm having. I really like this band (ed. note: we removed the band name for privacy reasons) and I've been listening to them for years. The band, I thought, rocked strait from the heart but I came across some information this weekend that has made me think twice about this. I found out that before they hit it big that they were a Staggard Crossing cover band. After learning this I haven't been able to take the band seriously. Am I over reacting or is this rock n' roll band really weiners at heart?
 Trevor |
Bands must often do things when starting out that they are not proud of. I know musicians who have played in cheese rock cover bands, played shows at Gym Jam, soiled their pants on stage for a free meal, played music in a chinese restaurant, and even played rock music at a daycare for a bunch of 10 year olds with paint all over their faces.
Sadly the real way to make money in a band when starting out is to be a musical prostitute, doing what you have to do. That being said, a Staggered Crossing cover band is still unacceptable. Please stop listening to this band, and never admit to liking them to anyone, anytime. |
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 Steve |
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 Paul |
Where does a band draw the line between artistic integrity and $$$$$? Is it when they start playing more covers than original songs? Is it singing "always to hot never to cold" instead of "would she go down on you in a theatre"? Is it cutting your 10 minute dualing guitar jam down to a "catchy riff"? Is it trading your lace-up leather pants for boot-cut faded jeans? Is it trading your monster "Master of Puppets" thrash metal for whatever-you-want-to-call-it "St. Anger"? Is it naming your band Soul Decision and singing along to Casio beats? Or is it three ugly migets dressing up the same, dancing in unison, putting on enough hair gel on to choke a donkey and calling themselves a name that uses a witty combination of letters and numbers? Who knows? |
 Chris |
I've been an active musician now for about 7 years, and to be brutally honest with you, have done things while pursuing a solid career in music that I am not proud of. Being in a staggered crossing cover band is something that is in line with paying the bills for most working artists, and I know many members of fellow bands that do time in pub acts, bar outfits, and pretty well anything that can provide some money to do a tour with, make those landmark trips to Toronto and Montreal or farther for that matter for label showcases and important shows...
Don't be too critical of these guys....they probably need the money. |