Friday, January 2, 2015

Discovering The Best LA Cover Bands

By Stacey Burt


When one thinks of a musical line-up doing covers, people think of groups like the Beatles, the Grateful Dead, and Pink Floyd. Some of the biggest groups in musical history are now being covered by LA Cover bands. In fact, many even tour as the original line-ups did back in the day. Although, there are really two aspects to these new line-ups, music, and tribute.

Many of which play a variety of songs from different bands and eras. While there are other groups like Dark Star Orchestra, and Lez Zeppelin who are considered more tribute band(s, ) smaller line-ups are often far more popular in local areas. Unlike local bands, tribute bands often tour nationally and internationally on a regular basis.

Dark Star Orchestra is a cover band dedicated to all things Grateful Dead. In the beginning, the band only played live show. The fans created somewhat of a contest always trying to guess what show the band would cover next. While Knight Ryder, Pot Roast and others play great cuts from the Grateful Dead but also cover a wide range of other artists and titles.

There are also those like the Hightailers, who play incredible Gulfcoast Rock and Roll, though also play music from other artists. The Hightailers are a staple in Houston, having played at Last Concert, a local restaurant and music venue, every Thursday for over 25 years. The band, restaurant and music venue have all won a number of Houston Press awards over the year. One of the most recent for the best Art Car Float in the annual Art Car parade in which the band played on a trailer being pulled by another complete with decorations, belly dancers, a hoola hooper and skaters.

Musicians working for tips can also make the lime-light, take Brother Rabbit and Tracy Chapman for example, both of whom used to play in local subway stations for tips. Now, both have major releases and have toured both nationally and internationally. Still, both often return to Boston and play for the fans who were regular tippers in Harvard Square and the Red Line, in Boston.

When most people think of groups which play covers, it does not always mean the band is dedicated to playing songs by only one group. In fact, most of these groups play a wide variety of music from different bands and eras. As such, there is generally one which can appeal to at least one individual and demographic.

There are also rural areas in which talent exists, but on a much smaller scale than in the bigger cities. These individuals are often found performing at local clubs and festivals. Although, rarely do these individuals, or smaller groups make it big outside local areas. For those who do, it is an honor to be cherished and appreciated for all time, as again it is one that is also quite limited.

Any musical group living in Los Angeles has no reason to be out of work, that is if the band is truly talented. In fact, there are far more clubs and other venues looking for musicians than musicians looking for gigs in the area. As such, websites like GigMasters can be very beneficial in connecting those seeking artists, with artists looking for gigs.




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