United States

or...

the second u in vacuum?

(now this topic is REALLY startin' to suck)

they're - there - their

your - you're

of cause - of course

or anyone that pronounces the "t" in "often!"

You're supposed to pronounce the 'T' in "often", hillbilly.

No, you pronounce the "t" in "oft," but not "often," although I'll admit that Webster puts it in parentheses, so perhaps either way is acceptable, depending upon where you live. It irks me, though. I think it would sound ridiculous if you pronounced both t's in "oftentimes," but then again, I think that's a pretty ridiculous word to use at all.

And btw, I am NOT a hillbilly. I moved here from the burbs in the Balto-Wash corridor.

I speakerate just fann, thang kyew very much!

Oh yeah, I also believe it proper to pronounce "vacuum" as "Va-kiew-wum." There's a reason for that there double U sitchy-yashun.

(I also love to hear ppl say "that there," or even better, "them there.")

Main Entry: of·ten
Pronunciation: \ˈo-fən, ÷ˈof-tən\
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of oft
Date: 14th century

: many times : frequently


So... I guess it does depend.
Ofen, to me, just sounds hillbillyish though. "Stay ofen my porch!"

Round these here parts we say often, with a 't'.

Way to make me feel insecure and scared of the orl, phil.

Never heard of that there band.

Whatever you play, own it. Make it yours. I like playing originals and there's plenty of places to play 'em. But I know (and you do too) that most people want to hear something they know, it's easier to get a handle on it when you're tore up. You get the chicks dancing, the guys drink more, the bar owner makes more money and books you again. That's the way it works.

Best bands to cover?

Well, first of all, you can only ever be the second best (insert famous band name here).

If you're going to play covers, ignore the band, look at the song.

Some songs you're just going to have to suck it up and play, like it or not. That's the nature of the cover circuit.

Then there's a long list of songs that always work. Pick a bunch from that list. Then pick a few vanity pieces. Songs that you're doing for no better reason than you like 'em.

To some extent, all the songs that aren't vanity pieces are nothing more than a promise to the audience that you won't suck. "Okay, we promise not to suck, so here's something we like that you might like."

IME, the vanity pieces often become audience favorites as your band gains a following. Sometimes really unexpected ones, at that.

Of course, once you promise not to suck, it's a good idea to actually not suck.

I think something similar applies in doing originals, but you have the added thing about having to play some clubs that are, well, hostile. I recall being at one local club where I was standing around waiting for a band I'd heard of and wanted to hear to come on. Each band that came on that night was greeted by stony silence or open hostility. Even the best of them could count on a few boos and catcalls. I finally realized that most of the people there had come specifically to heckle the bands. Yet this club was considered an important part of the originals circuit.

Not for me, thanks. I really don't know how you get past that nonsense.

Best bands to cover?

I finally realized that most of the people there had come specifically to heckle the bands. Yet this club was considered an important part of the originals circuit.

Not for me, thanks. I really don't know how you get past that nonsense.

Axe handle

covers can be fun to play, but i have always added my own little twist to whatever im playing. It's like the song Ohio, i have seen many people play the song exactly the same, its kind of boring that way if you think about it, but then i saw one band play the song and it blew my friggin mind. Pieter Holland is damn good with playing Ohio, quite frankly the best i have ever heard.
On the other hand, some people hear the slightest difference in it and will complain that it isnt being played correctly.

I can't speak for anyone else but I would love to cover a few songs by the following bands:

Uzi (Pale Light, Collections)
Kraftwerk (The Model, The Robots)
Foetus (Heuldoch 7B, Descent Into The Inferno)
Throbbing Gristle (Persuasion, Zyklon B Zombie)
Joy Division (New Dawn Fades, Day of The Lords)
Marilyn Manson (1996, Antichrist Superstar.)
Big Black (Bad Penny, Passing Complexion)
King Crimson (In The Court of The Crimson King, Epitaph.)
Skinny Puppy (Assimilate, The Choke)

I would never leave out Bobby Sherman, Neil Diamond, The Bay City Rollers or The Archies!

Covers can be cool if everyones on the same page. What I have noticed with bands Ive played and around the area people want to play songs that are way above thier paygrade lol. Ya gotta make sure everyone can keep up. If you can cover Godsmack your not gonna be covering Nitro or Zepplin for that matter,Jesus, has anyone ever heard some drunk cat try singing stairway on kerokee night? Makes ya wanna grab a 5th, a gun and a Payphone for an alibi!