Homage vs Tribute
Chatting on IM the other night descended into a filthy argument about cover versions. In particular, bands who go on TV shows and don’t talk or even play their own music but instead spin a wheel and sing a watered-down cover version. Unless their music is solely covers, one and all. If it’s all about the music, who on Earth would apply to do such a thing?
These guys…associating Thin Lizzy with…’sham’…’rock’…eiiigh :
I have such total double standards cos on the flipside there’s Voided By Ponces, Ireland’s only band paying homage to deadly Guided By Voices, who incidentally have themselves a second gig this Saturday at the Wellington, Baggot St.
I don’t mind cover versions and think they’re fun when performed with love for the music in question. When it comes to bands who already play their own original material (VBP are sort of experts) it must make a nice change to get up and play other people’s old favourites.
Any ideal cover bands? What’s sacrosanct? I believe there’s talk of a Goats Don’t Shave revival, anyone fancy doing over Las Vegas In The Hills of Donegal?
The covers thing doesnt bother me so much, its the fact that they say nothing about the band or where you can get more info about them. its so plainfully obvious theyre just doing it as a gimmick..
life doesn’t always have to be serious, I mean people do what they do and have a bit of gas while they’re doing it fair play to them, if they can convert that into a few bob along the way that’s no terrible thing as long as they’re not ripping people off (I mean monetarily not stylistically). I don’t know I like anyone who actually gets up and does something.
There was me thinking it was impossible to do a serious post about cover versions.
I dunno, sorry if I seemed like I was having a go, I’m just tired of people knocking, knocking, knocking. Sure, it mightn’t be what you’d do if you’re in a band but that’s your call same as it is theirs. You can argue that it mightn’t do them any good and that’s fair enough too but I just think there’s too much cynicism and not enough love !
I don’t think covers are a bad thing for a band to do…they’re great for hearing new takes.
But knocking? Sure it’s pretty shite that tv shows treat Irish music with tokenistic slots. Maybe the bands on Other Voices don’t get to state their name and postcode either but they do at least get to play their own music to show the world what they’re about.
soooo…. this is the bullshit that counts as token irish music on television?
great!!
I’m not at all familiar with that show’s segment, but from the way the woman introduced it, it sounds like it’s purpose was to have a cover version?
I’m not really sure how i feel about cover versions in general. I prefer for the act to put their own take on it at least, otherwise what’s the point. There was a charity album done years ago in the UK which had a double A side single released from it. On one side you had a “faithful” rip of Suicide is Painless done by the Main Street Preachers. Pretty decent but, basically the same as the original.
The other side had a version of Bryan Adams’ ultra saccharine “Everything I do (I do for you)”. That cover version was done by FATIMA MANSIONS and amazingly managed to turn that syrupy lovesong into something evil. Now that was a cover version.
I think though, as long as the band openly acknowledge where the song comes from I don’t have much of a problem with it. For young bands at least it’s often the only way they can confidently fill out a setlist and keep an unknowing crowd on their side.
Hmm, the MSP cover of Suicide is Painless is actually great, and quite different to the original in its delivery.
I have no problem whatsoever with cover bands. It seems a strange thing to be annoyed about - the mass emergence of people who write and perform their own songs is a relatively new phenomenon, really only becoming the done thing from the 60s onwards. There’s an entire history of songs passed on, learned, amended, interpreted, bashed out for fun, etc.
To Leigh
I think it’s clear that Podge & Rodge came up with something that would fit within the overall context of a show that while totally insane in loads of ways is still something that has to justify it’s place on schedules vs the latest us comedy import.
What’d be the point in them having some earnest indie electronic instrumental stuff in that ?
There’s a time and a place for it and it ain’t in a 20 minute light entertainment show.
Yo this is just about cover versions… there’s no unshaven scapegoat. Podge and Rodge don’t have to have music segment in the show featuring Irish bands but they do. Bands don’t have to perform on it but they do, there’s no right or wrong but it’s pretty tacky!
About time and place though? There is no time or place, TV coverage is so scarce some bands just have to do it. I think The Flaws would rather sing 1981 than My Sharona but it’s not as if television heaves with music shows.
Every cover version hurts, sometimes….
jaysus, and there was me the one trying to saying i was fed up of people giving out and there’s my giving out.
sorry ms nay.
I like good cover versions, I don’t object to bad ones in an entertaining context and while I’d never pay to see a cover band myself I don’t begrudge anyone who does or who gets them for their wedding.
but ms nay is still the boss.
Only when Bruce ain’t in town!
PeterW,
I understand your point, but I think you might have misinterpreted mine.
There are no gripes with the Podge ‘n’ Rodge show at all, but am just lamenting the fact that this seems to be (one of) the only avenues for Irish music on Irish television at the moment
hmm, my mate was on the P&R show before and you have to do a cover.not sure if you get to pick it or not though.
another mates in a band who play covers most weekend and they get paid a bomb. would be nice to see some money be paid to original bands as well, instead of making them pay to book venues to play their own material.