Talking Heads Talk About Starting Out As A Cover Band

In a recent interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the iconic band Talking Heads shared some surprising insights into their early days. The band, which was formed in 1975, admitted that they were a cover band at first.

Lead singer David Byrne said:

“We played a lot of covers in the beginning.
“We were just trying to figure out our own sound. But we always had a lot of fun playing covers, and I think it helped us to develop our own stage presence.”

The band went on to play a variety of covers, including songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and David Bowie. They even played a cover of “Psycho Killer” by James Brown, which would later become one of their signature songs.

Guitarist Tina Weymouth said:

“We were influenced by a lot of different kinds of music.
“We wanted to create something that was new and different, but we also wanted to be rooted in the tradition of rock and roll.”

Talking Heads eventually found their unique sound, which was a blend of new wave, punk, and funk. They released their debut album, Talking Heads: 77, in 1977, and went on to become one of the most successful and influential bands of the 1980s.

The band’s interview on The Late Show was a rare opportunity to hear from them about their early days and their influences. It was also a reminder that even the most iconic bands start somewhere.

Why is this important?

Talking Heads’ admission that they were a cover band at first is significant because it shows that even the most successful bands start by learning from and paying tribute to the musicians who came before them. It also shows that it’s okay to experiment and try different things before you find your unique sound.

The band’s interview is also a reminder that music is a collaborative process. Talking Heads were influenced by a wide variety of artists, and their music reflects that. It’s also clear that the band members themselves have a lot of respect for each other and for the music they make together.