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One of the reasons I moved to Santa Cruz from San Jose was the music scene. There seemed to be only boring cover bands in San Jose and I craved hearing original music, not the same old tired 1970s disco hits. We’ve got far more culture in our small town than in the giant city of almost a million people to the north. On almost any night you can find at least five shows, some by cover bands and many by those writing their own music. But I’ve been surprised to see cover bands even here selling out theaters. Bands covering the likes of Journey, ABBA, the Dead and Tom Petty are packing houses. As you’ll see in Richard Stockton’s cover story, the answer is in following the money. Bands playing tunes by other bands get paid big bucks; original bands earn pennies to the dollar (even though promoters have to pay fees for using other people’s music). People want to dance to songs they already know, both here and in San Jose. To make matters worse for those living over the hill, Santa Clara County has passed an ordinance charging wineries as much as $14,000 a year for live music permits. Talk about killing the golden goose. But it means more music over here, which is a good thing. My own prediction for the years ahead is that downtown will have even more music venues because all the new apartment residents will want more nightly entertainment. Until I read Richard’s article, I had forgotten about how so many of the biggest original bands started by playing cover songs, even on record (like the Beatles). I generally have no interest in going to a cover band concert. I’d rather see the original artists, or if they aren’t around, I’d rather listen to their recordings. But I’m in the minority there, as the crowds at our venues show. People love the hits, no matter who is playing them. That said, I have seen some big bands with only a couple of original members (Yes; Dead and Co). but my rule is I won’t go if there are no originals. What are your thoughts on it? Are you happy with cover bands, and if so why? Do you have patience for up-and-coming bands that only play original music? (Write us at editor@weeklys.com.) (This is the editor's letter about this article. I remember Brad Kava used to write for the Mercury.)

You’ll never hear the “original artist” perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Referring to someone’s performance of music written by another person as a “cover” is absurd. The music wants to be played. A performance, or a rearrangement is good. Or bad. Or indifferent. It stands on its own merits.

The “recording industry” produces all manner of poisonous idiocy.

I know a guy who runs a small coffee bar in a Mayberry kind of town. He used to have live music on the weekends, and he got a good crowd. That’s gone now.

He said the music licenses were killing him. And even after paying, he was still being harassed by their agents. Evidently the agents check ads and upcoming events, and go from there.

My friend tried using musicians who did their own songs. But it wasn’t the same.

I’m not complaining, mind you. I’m just reporting. It’s capitalism in action.

Not a big fan of covers usually but I like these. Annalise with blue hair but she does a nice cover of Neil Young's 'Harvest Moon' which I never would have listened to otherwise as Young can't sing.

IMY2 Harvest Moon cover

Johnny Nash' 'I Can See Clearly Now' is well done too...

IMY2 'I Can See Clearly Now' cover