When is a Cover Band a “Classic Bar Band”?
THE PITCH
Cover bands come in all shapes, sizes and levels of sophistication. From bellowing Pub rockers to sleek corporate chart disco combos, to note perfect single artist tribute bands (right down to the singer’s famous slouch) or big band salutes to an era. And more, of course.
So, what exactly is a “classic bar band” versus a cover band?
It’s a concept all its own says The Pragmatics’ lead singer Dan Murphy (“not that one”).
“For us, a classic bar band is an ideal. Think of a raucous, skinny jeaned bunch of long hairs behind chicken wire in an American bar, cranking out great rock and good times, while the audience goes completely berserk, whisky in one hand and the other punching the air,” says Murphy. “It’s that feeling of total abandon, on stage and off. Fully letting your hair down: that’s a bar band.”
“Classic Bar Band” is a moniker and concept that has kept The Pragmatics busy for much of the last decade, notching up hundreds of shows in pubs, dive bars and clubs, while also upscaling for town halls, corporate events, weddings, birthdays, basketball arenas, car parks, breweries and amusement parks.
The choice of material is not about sticking to an era or style, Murphy says, but just leaning into their strengths whatever the song. “We quickly realised that if you play ’em like you wrote ’em with the right mix of sweat and sweet, people really respond. We have a ball; everybody has a ball.”
The Pragmatics’ playlist is taken from decades of great songs by incredible artists delivered with grit and soul, featuring loads of anthems, fresh takes on classics and some very tasty surprises.
“We often joke that we’re one of the few bands that can convincingly swing from Rod Stewart to Queen, The Velvet Underground to Simple Minds, the Killers to Fleetwood Mac,” says Murphy. “Last year we played the 90th birthday for the Sydney Harbour Bridge at a festival in The Rocks, appearing on the bill between Bjorn Again and Tex Perkins. That felt kind of appropriate for The Prags.”
Qirkz in the Hunter’s proprietor Yaron Hallis says that The Pragmatics exceed all expectations of the cover band genre and that seeing is believing. “Sure, party bands are everywhere, but few have this energy, this magic,” says Hallis, himself an Aria Award-winning musician and songwriter with gypsy jazz group Monsieur Camembert. “What The Pragmatics do is unique. It’s raucous and full-blooded, with four-part harmonies and killer takes on great song choices – there is something for every music fan. Since 2018, they have regularly sold out my Sydney venue Camelot Lounge and will sell out New Year’s Eve there – again! I have wanted to introduce them to the Hunter for ages and I can’t recommend them highly enough.”
photo credit: @wampeanut
