Another Day, Another Cover Band

Luke Maris hits several more nails on the head in regards to the all around “lameness” of the so-called (and practically) non-existent Berkshire County music scene. If I may speak for Luke, we are both referring to the underground music scene and not the thriving cover band/classic rock/singer-songwriter cover singer scene. Those scenes, which I always lump into one generic C.B.S. (Cover Band Syndrome) has never gone out of fashion. Yes, there are cover bands in every city I have lived in (Raleigh NC, Los Angeles and NYC) but only in the Berkshires do cover bands outnumber original acts who their own music.

While original bands write their own songs, may play the occasional cover for the hell of it, attempt to tour out of the Hills and basically bust their ass are ignored by both the press, potential fans and venue owners. How many different ways can cover bands play the same songs? Several apparently. There is even a band who goes through quite a bit of effort to dress up in lackluster fright-wigs and make-up to play 98% cover songs and 3 original songs. Why must people accept and put up with another “unique” rendition of Highway to Hell, Radar Love, Welcome to the Jungle or Another Thing Coming? Can these versions sound any better than the Southern Rock version (how Southern Rock is so popular here in the Northeast is beyond me) or the singer-songwriter acoustic version or the standard cover band version? They must sound better because this band continually packs the house wherever they play. It is bizarre! I think they are even my friend on My Space, but I am not really sure. I wish they were. From what I can gather, they are like a 10th rate GWAR, KISS, Sigue Sigue Sputnik or LA stalwarts Rebel Rebel, but far less interesting. If GWAR played Communication Breakdown instead of Saddam A Go-Go, they would be far less tolerable.

Perhaps the folks at Berkshire Sound will not burn out on promoting shows, because it would be a blow to the scene in northern Berkshire County. Pittsfield boasts several metal bands who have gone about doing it themselves because no one is certainly going to bend over backwards for punk rock show, let alone metal shows.

There are several bands out there performing their own music in a variety of genres, do not be afraid, definitely check them out if its something you might be interested in. If you like the Ramones, Black Flag, Alkaline Trio, Bad Brains, Green Day or even Blink-182 then definitely check out a Berkshire Sound or Rebel Sound Radio show. If you like any kind of metal, then look no further than Pittsfield for some loud sounds from Hung By the Hated or Warsynium! There is a lot more out there and if club owners see people in the clubs to see these bands, then there will be other shows. If no one comes, then it will only be harder the next time someone tries to book something other than the same old-same old cover band.

ENDNOTES:

> There is one band from town who is making it seem like it is the biggest deal in the world to not only record a CD, but to play shows out of town. Believe me, releasing a CD and going on a “tour” is done everyday, you are not special and please stop acting as if you are.

I have been getting a few messages from bands who are doing their own thing, look for them in an upcoming piece.

Lance Hahn of Cringer and J. Church died this past week, he was only 40. Cringer and J. Church were influential to a slew of East Bay bands including Green Day, Operation IVY and Jawbreaker.

Paul Fox of The Ruts also died this past week, he was 56. The Ruts recently reunited with Henry Rollins on vocals for a performance that will eventually be released on DVD.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones tickets are going for $300.00 to over $1200.00 for their upcoming Boston reunion shows, now that is punk!