"There's a new band playing at the Queens tonight", my friend says to me. "Are you going?"
"Hell, yes!" I say, regardless of the fact I don't know who they are and have never seen them play live before.
What could it be that drives this adventurous spirit in me? Is it simply that there's nothing on TV, nothing to do in Monmouth generally? Am I going in the vain hope that they might one day be famous and I can say I was one of the first to meet them?
Or am I part of a historical tradition in which Monmouth plays an important part? Freddie Mercury wrote and recorded Bohemian Rhapsody at our studios. Oasis wrote Wonderwall here too (although I doubt they'll be back in a hurry because they said some unforgivable things about the locals) - but listen: we actually have recording studios! That must mean something. Plus...we're Welsh. We have an obligation. The harp has given way to the six-string.
I know what I'll find when I get there. Probably standing room only, I probably won't even be able to see them. I won't be able to talk to my mates, it'll take hours to get served if the pub is busy - why am I doing this?
"I'm doing this because I'm fed up of the product fed to me over the radio, of big gigs and big egos you have to pay a fortune to see which is no guarantee of quality. So many people pay good money to see a headline act and then complain that they 'couldn't cut it live". A bit of a disappointment if you've just paid over £100 to make it to Glastonbury!
I want Music the Art, Music the Feeling, Music the Language Of Life, not Music the Product, the artificially-inseminated breeder of riches. I want it the way it used to be. It doesn't matter if they're not that good - they can improve.
A pub has much less identity than it had in the old days, where you never had to worry about the drive home and for a penny they'd stable your nag, and tell ghost stories around the blazing - Real - fire. Who was it who took all the creativity out of drinking? Was it one of the huge chains that are dotted around our streets that offer a platter of onion rings and chicken wings for the bargain price of seven quid?
In the city, many pubs have an open microphone night, where you can channel the muse that lurks in the cider. Some like to read their latest poetry, others just want to share the blues song they've been working on in their bedroom, but in the city it's hard to stand out. It's hard to touch people who are stimulated in a million different ways every day. The need to do so is there, and is equally as valid, of course, but is it as appreciated as it is out here in 'the sticks'?
I want to sit down with my drink and forget the jukebox. I want to interact with what I'm hearing. I want to know if they can play House of the Rising Sun if I request it; I want to go up at the end and say thank you for the music. And that, my friends, is what you will get if you support the live music cause. If you're a publican, then provide a microphone. If you're a lowly member of the public - vote with your feet and support them, even if you don't think you'll like it. This is the way we used to do it, and this is the Future...
See Suzanne's short film - Thank You for the Music
your comments
Dave Jefferson, Newport
The reality of being a working musician = Cover bands, you can earn a nice living doing something you love. People who slag off covers bands are nearly always talentless 18 year olds (or at least under 25) who will never have a hope in hell of "making it" and they make up for there utter lack of musicality by slagging off muscians who are 100 times better than they'll ever be by adopting the "superior" attititude of "at least we write our own songs", no matter how diabolical they may be.
ShyGuy from Cwmbran
Thanks to Johnny Boy from Cwmbran for the comments, I've been called many things before but never intelligent!! Perhaps this might change your opinion of me!! Going back to the covers vs originals argument, after watching various local bands in venues throughout the valleys of South Wales, I've got some fundamental advice for musicians who want to include both covers and originals in their live set. Preparation is essential - Think hard about the order of your set list and bear in mind that no matter how good a songwriter you think you are, the covers are most likely, not only going to be the strongest songs in your set, but also get the better reception from the audience. Also try and choose a set list to suite the venue i.e. thrashy type rock might not go down as well in for example Cwmbran working mens club, as it would in TJ's. The ability to scan an audience and have a fair idea of how a particular song is likely to be accepted is a venerable asset! Remember that no matter what and how well you play, you will never please all of the people all of the time, so just go out and do it and above all have fun while you do it!!
Kevin, Cwmbran
All this nonsense about covers versus originals means nothing. I have seen some awesome covers bands and some diabolical "originals" bands, and I know which I would go back and see/hear again. The Commodore in Cwmbran were doing a Sunday afternoon open mic event with a band called Blue Blisters playing the main set and supporting guests who wanted to get up and have a go. It was a brilliant chance to see and hear people of all musical levels getting up and doing their thing, and the band itself were awesome. They played a whole range of musical styles to accomodate the guest artists. Unfortunaley the Commodore have stopped it, at least for the time being, but when I checked out the band's website www.blueblisters.com, I see that they are starting a similar event in Abergavenny on May 27th, at the Market Tafarn. It really is worth a visit, and if you fancy doing a spot of guesting, I am sure that they will be just as welcoming there as they were in Cwmbran. Music is Music, and when played well, it is food for the Gods!! (Covers included)
Jason, Neath
Covers is what the general public want to hear. I have played in a duo (by choice) for the last 15 years and have never gone short on gigs. The reason people don't want to listen to original bands music is the fact most of it is rubbish. I as a guitarist envy anyone that can write their own music, but let's face it - how many of us locals can write a good tune? I'm sure if the song writing bands out there were to play covers throwing in the odd song written by themselves then I'm sure the audience would enjoy and the gigs would come in...
Jonny Boy, Cwmbran
What an intelligent dude that Shyguy is. No one's impressed by the old "they can't be up to much if they're just doing covers" routine. Some do think like that and they're the ones usually sat at home on the computer while others, who are not so far up themselves, are down the local listening to some awesome musicians doing their stuff. Don't be so selfish get down there and support those bands and try to realise how much effort they have to put in to achieve a decent cover version. And don't forget every cover they do will be rated against the original version.
Huw, Pontypridd
All the way Suzanne, if you're ever in Ponty check out our Roostafish nights at Clwb y Bont. As mentioned we, that is the Welsh, have a huge responsibility built into our genes to ensure live music is provided to the world!
Roy Williams, Sully, South Glamorgan
There is a lot of music out there - cover bands, punk metal. I have a son, a passionate musician of seventeen - a drummer and guitarist who can read and write music. He's in a band called Down Impact, ready now to restart their gigs after 18 months of rebuilding and getting it right. Now the hard work starts to get gigs. They write their own music - no covers, music genre is metal. I agree original music is the best - this encourages style, thought and passion. I must be biased but these lads need to be heard.
Julie from Cwmbach
I agree totally with your comments, and get out often to see bands playing locally at the Aberdare RFC and White Lion. I was especially pleased I did so last week, as I got to see one band at both venues. They were Blue Blisters, a band I had never heard of before, and they put on a tremendous show at both venues. Their set included covers and original material, and the 2 gigs were totally different, just showing what a wealth of material they can draw from. I have seen many other bands at both places before, some good, some great and some a bit on the "nursery slopes", but these lads were something special. If they are playing near you, go and have a listen, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Julie xx
Bill McBlain from Westminster, CA
I really like what you said about music. The previous comments about this are all great.
I watch less TV and listen to less over the air radio.
I went to 8 Adrina Thorpe shows last year.
You can see a clip on my personal web page if you want:
Thanks,
Bill
Charlie, Merthyr
I agree. I have tried to put on shows in Merthyr, however there is a lot of resistance for original bands. My band has played London, cardiff newport, swansea etc, but it`s dificult getting more shows localy. I emailed the studio bar, but I`m still awaitig a reply. I can usually get 3-5 solo artists and bands together for a show. Any venues including cafe bars etc interested in a show of acoustic based singer songwriters please email info@audiocircus.org.uk and we arrange a date. :)
Richie from Merthyr
I just had a great night out at the Studio in Merthyr. 3 bands for a tenner!! Top of the bill was a Doors tribute band from America playing (you guessed it) Doors covers which were passable although I'm sure that the club could have got a local Doors cover band sounding equally as good for a lot less money.
The second band were a group of youngsters playing all their own stuff which was sort of a high energy punky sort of thing which went down quite well. But I was most impressed by the first band. They were local boys called Hookah. They were no spring chickens and had all probably been making music of some sort for a good while. They played covers but you could tell that they put as much work and energy into their songs as second band playing originals. In fact taking on board the instrumantation and vocal harmonies within Hookah you could see that they had spent a lot of time and effort perfecting their set. The important thing was that they weren't doing it to "make it" so you probably won't be seeing them on TOTP but they seemed to enjoy what they did and so, in turn did we. If you get the chance to see them make sure you don't miss out and if your in Merthyr pop in to the Studio bar to see real "local" talent propping up the bigger named acts.
Gary Fisher - Chippenham
Covers... Original.... Who cares??
I heard the No Sleep Police last Wednesday and they played covers and originals. It has to be said that the covers were nothing like the originals tho. If you take a cover and add something to it then that's cool right? Nirvana covered Man Who Sold the World. No one complained there did they? My dad never hung out with famous people so i didn't ever walk downstairs to see anyone famous. Once i thought i did, only to find out he was watching This is your life, with Michael Aspel, and there were loads of famous people on there. I thought it was a famous people party for a minute. But as I rubbed my eyes I realised the reality of this sick and crazed situation...
DJ Andy B from Pontypool
As a karaoke DJ and the one who featured in Suzanne's film, I agree totally with what Suzanne is saying. The music industry today is too busy worrying what the person looks like instead of the main focus of what the person sounds like. They could look like Tom Cruise but sound like Mickey Mouse and they would make it. Get back to the grass roots of music and listen to the voices, otherwise if we always judge people on what they look like we would have never have had great singers like Barry White, Alison Moyet and the like. You are spot on Sexy Sue. See you up the Griffin sometime.
Delwyn Jones
I have been brought up with music, and remember my father in a band all my life. It was nothing strange to go down stairs and find someone famous downstairs with my dad in the 70s. I am now 38 years old and my father is 68. To do cover songs well is probably harder than singing your own songs. Everybody will compare you to the original, and the original artist just sings as normal. Many unfamous bands have brilliant songs of their own which would make big money if they had the sponsors and the air play, but sadly this is not reality. If you want work, you have to do the rounds and basically do cabaret. Bands that make it using their own music do it mostly by luck and being in the right place at the right time with the right sort of music - all the best to them. I live in Finland now and my wife's cousin has just become famous over here, even though he has not been further than his own bedroom in respect, sending demos and other members knowing the right people. Do you honestly believe that groups like Abba and Mud would make it to,day. I must aad that there are bands that have made it the hard way but these bands have made it through the rounds, and you can tell because they are brilliant. It's just a pity that more do not get through, but that's life I suppose.
ShyGuy from Cwmbran
I've been involved in the South Wales music scene for the past 20+ years, and after playing in many original bands where we struggled to get gigs, now find myself playing in a rock covers band where we are very rarely short of gigs. Over the past few years it has been gratifying to go to new venues and hear the clientele say how refreshing it is to see a live band play (mistakes and all) rather than watch a gloryfied karaoke artist croon along to backing CDs. I can appreciate the fact that most people who go to a pub where there is a band playing want to hear some tunes that they will recognise. I can also appreciate the fact that certain people may think that playing others peoples music isn't as creative as playing original music, the interpretation is where the creativity comes in. Personally I think music is a language and that regardless of the musical content i.e. original or covers, the true measure of a top band is in their ability to reach out and touch the audience with their performance.
Grav from Merthyr Tydfil
As a songwriter/performer from the valleys I cannot agree more. Howevever, it's virtually impossible to form a non-cover band these days, the only live work being in caberet venues. Unless your an Elvis impersonator or prepared to sing Wind beneath my wings, you can virtually forget it around here.
Merv Smith from New Tredegar
It does't bother me if bands play covers or original music but familiarity does have its place and any band who can cut it replacating other peoples music faithfully has my vote however, the comments surrounding live music in pubs should be extended to proposed government legislation which could threaten live performances by new acts courtesy of the Performing Rights brigade...anyone have any thoughts on this subject?
Craig Mac from Cardiff
I sincerely believe that covers bands should be totally band from public music events. They don't deserve the exposure; original bands, at whatever level, should be seen and heard.
Jeff Forward
Well that's fair enough, but have you heard the buzz surrounding hip hop pioneers 'The No Sleep Police'. Apparently they'll be making one heck of a scene pretty darn soon.
Keep your ears to the ground..
Gareth from Newport
It's a shame when all you hear these days are covers bands. An originals band is something of a rarity, and when you do find one, the regular punters react as if they've just stepped off a spaceship. This is how music is made people - appreciate it and nuture it, it may lead to something great. Otherwise those with real talent will die out or change their tact and turn into an american style band with stupid hair and sing like they're from over the pond. Hopefully we could stop the embarrassing flow of high school rock from the US crossing the water and hit them with something special. No skateboards, no thinking that just because you can jump with a guitar in hand you think you're it and no looking like a school drop out. Rant over.
Anita Holford, Monmouth
Too right (and liked the Robert Plant/Led Zep reference 'this is how it *used* to be' - if it was intentional!?) And also as a society we've become distanced from our own creativity, and far too used to people doing it for us, or to us. We've all got something of the music in us but we think we have to be 'special' or 'talented' to even contemplate it. Check out www.soundsense.org to read about the work of community musicians all over the UK who are trying to put music back in the hands and hearts of the people, making music with people not for them.
Jay from Cardiff
My God Suzanne, that's inspired stuff. Have you been reading my mind? I've posted a comment on here before regarding local acts in Cardiff because everybody else just seemed to want to speak about the big acts they had seen. I too am sick of the music industry vetting what we listen to. How can anybody ever find their true sound or the music they truly love if they don't go out and find it themselves? I despise over-produced, uninspired songs written for pop stars and delivered to a brainwashed audience who (god love them) don't know any better.
Paul Cottrell from Cowbridge
I couldn't agree more. There is something pretty unsatisfying about over produced music and over produced people. Let;s also cut down on the backing tapes or should I say CDs and have more live voice and music. PS I reckon £7 is bit on the high side.
