Cover band complacency

Marvellous stuff from Marcus Westbury who presents the Not Quite Art programme on ABC TV.

If you didn't catch his article in yesterday's Herald, have a gander.

To whet your appetite, here's a teaser:

In the music scene there has always been a pretty strong division between those who play original music and those who are derisively, and sometimes unfairly, dismissed as covers bands. What's the point of being in a band if you're not playing your own songs? When was the last time that duo with a keyboard and a drum machine from your local RSL club had a breakthrough hit?

It's not that covers bands aren't talented, don't make good music, don't entertain or even have a good time. Hell, put enough drinks in me and I'll hit the dance floor to an '80s pop classic or wave a lighter with half a tear in my eye to, say, Flame Trees.

But no one seriously goes out of their way to suggest that covers bands are the most vital or important part of the music scene. Why then are covers bands - of the high-culture variety - receiving the bulk of arts funding?

Read more HERE.