Cover Bands: Sure, the Music Isn't "theirs" but that Doesn't Mean it Isn't Really Good

Bryan Adams' "Summer of '69" is a great song. And it's great for all the reasons that make a song great. Its theme is that of a universally understandable nostalgia and, while I was a mere -17 years old in 1969, I know those summers. I know every thought Adams expresses. And so does every other frustrated youth who has ever experienced a teen-aged summer full of doing stupid things just for the sake of doing stupid things.

The music and lyrics combine to recreate and call back to mind all of those long lost thoughts of youth and hopefulness. It also has staying power. In 2006, at 22 years of age, this song was voted Canada's #1 song to drive to. That's important, and this is not a joke. Think about it: A song's drive-to-ability is what can truly make or break it. Obviously, this is a special piece. Now, "Summer of '69" performed in five-part vocal harmonies? That's just gravy.

Cover bands have long been scoffed at as being unoriginal, seemingly standing on the shoulders of those who came before them. Not so, I say.* And I can prove it. Consider Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.

The Gimmes (as they will here-in be referred to to save time) is "Fat" Mike Burkett (NOFX), Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Dave Raun (also Lagwagon), and Spike Slawson ($wingin' Utter$). Being comprised entirely of well-established musicians (as well-established as punk musicians can be), The Gimmes were originally formed as a side project with no plans of ever actually recording Cd's. They appeared solely on compilation albums put out by Fat Wreck Chords and frankly, they were just messing around. When asked "Why?" by Smash Music Magazine, Mike responded "Because we wanted to be in a band a lot more fun than our other bands." So, they cover music they love just for the music.

It sounds fake, I know. It sounds like all starry-eyed amateurs who've played nothing but the local coffee house presumptuously preaching about "art." But, The Gimmes are a prime example of the importance of cover bands because they worked at it from the opposite end of the spectrum. While most artists hook an audience by playing well-known covers and then switching in an original or two, The Gimmes weren't trying to make a name for themselves anymore. The job part of the music had been done, now they could play something awful and not have to worry about how the public would respond. This recklessness made it possible for them to cover Barry Manilow's "Mandy."

Let it be known that I was tricked into listening to this song. And I love The Gimmes for it. Of course, I've heard "Mandy" before and maybe even once or twice been caught singing it. It's the kind of song that everyone knows but few take seriously. Until I heard The Gimmes crank it out. This is not to say that I now take the song "seriously" but, they made me reconsider my stance on "Mandy." I have nothing against Mandy now. We're still not the best of friends but I won't snub her anymore if I see her around. The idea here is that a good song, meaning a well-written piece, transcends genres and that the same basic structure can be played to any beat, in any key, with any voice and still hold together. "Mandy" holds together. Again, to quote Mike: "Nobody wants to hear Barry Manilow's 'Mandy' but it is a great song."

The Gimmes, Rockapella (a five-man a capella group who you may remember from TV's "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?") and all other cover bands have this sneaking way of making fans of one genre appreciate music from another that they would never be caught dead listening to. They are ambassadors, they are unifiers, they are the spoon full of sugar. Listen to Me First and the Gimme Gimmes cover "Blowin' in the Wind" and everything will make sense.

*It should here be noted that the term "Cover Band" applies to groups that adapt a variety of music to a specific genre not groups that emulate one specific artist note for note. That would be a "Tribute Band" and they rock in their own right. Especially Mini Kiss. They are both Mini and KISS. How can you go wrong? "You can't" would be the correct answer.