Butchering a song? (Or Infringing any copyright laws?)

[Kwerty]

Let's say your band decides to cover a song by a famous band, or, a rather famous song that is known by everyone.

You decide to change the style of it, say jazz to a little funky/bluesy and you do it your way. Your timing is tight, your style is original. Are you butchering the song? From my knowledge, butchering will mean you play until CMI type; practically destroying the song.

On the other hand, apart from the butchering part. Am I infringing any copyright laws by "editing" a song? It is still a cover, but I'm just using different genres to tackle it.

 

[thor666]

You decide to change the style of it, say jazz to a little funky/bluesy and you do it your way. Your timing is tight, your style is original. Are you butchering the song?

imo, no.

Am I infringing any copyright laws by "editing" a song? It is still a cover, but I'm just using different genres to tackle it.

strictly speaking, yes.

 

[Kwerty]

I recall reading somewhere, when you play in a gig and you cover songs, you have to pay to cover? To be honest I've yet to see such things taking place but it is possible right?

Additionally, when we talk about "strictly" speaking, so are we suppose to play note for note and replicate what the bands play in order NOT to infringe copyright laws?

 

[thor666]

I recall reading somewhere, when you play in a gig and you cover songs, you have to pay to cover? To be honest I've yet to see such things taking place but it is possible right?

By right, yes.

Additionally, when we talk about "strictly" speaking, so are we suppose to play note for note and replicate what the bands play in order NOT to infringe copyright laws?

No, I meant that you have to request for permission/pay royalty irregardless as long as you are covering the song.

 

[p4zl]

I dont think many ppl do that.

 

[Kwerty]

Do what?

 

[shioks76]

Depends. If its a small private gig, u may be able to get away with it. Eg, concert in a sch, church, buisness organisation etc. But if its a big open public performance almost certainly have to pay for royalties. I know my church did when they performed as a choir group at the singing christmas tree in orchard last year.

I can't remember the name of the organisation u have to pay too, or how much it costs to do so. But i do suspect the bars/lounges that feature cover bands would already have paid in advance. I'm not involved in the industry so i won't know. Best to look for someone else for details

 

[fgl]

Kwerty - rest assured in the knowledge that all over the world everyday day & night, millions of songs are getting butchered ..... in dance halls, clubs, radio stations, TV, podcast etc -

What you should ask yourself is when is the day someone else will butcher YOUR song?

 

[Kwerty]

Actually thats not my point FGL but thanks for your input.

Has any bands paid royalities themselves? Or maybe the organisers can shed some light on this? Thanks.

 

[bluepowder]

Man...listen to Imagine by John Lennon and the cover by a Perfect Circle...no butchery there :lol:

 

[Guest]

I think this has been covered somewhere before. Usually the organiser/venue owner takes care of the royalties.

 

[Paulo]

as far as butchering goes, usually the listener would say that. so if you are experimenting and learning new styles, with no intention of 'selling' the cover remake via public broadcasting, have your fun. Do whatever that floats your boat.

 

[Kwerty]

I think this has been covered somewhere before. Usually the organiser/venue owner takes care of the royalties.

Yeah I tried searching but couldn't find anything relevant.

Paulo: Yeah I know. Just wondering about the royalties part thats all.

 

[GrayAkira]

For what I know, you need to get permission from the band and pay them if you're covering their songs and modified their songs into your kind of genre, AND only when you want to do recording with it.

So band covering other band's song during gig would be totally fine, I guess. Come on, not only us play covers during gigs, Almost everyone in the world that play music play cover of other bands during their gigs once in awhile.

 

[fgl]

as far as butchering goes, usually the listener would say that. so if you are experimenting and learning new styles, with no intention of 'selling' the cover remake via public broadcasting, have your fun. Do whatever that floats your boat.

cudnt agree mo Paulo, one man's butchered meat is a nother man's Poison's greatest hit...

every rose...