“W. David Marx, a journalist and the man behind the website Néojaponisme, told me that almost every rock band in Japan starts as a cover band before they begin to work original songs into their set. He explained that ‘artistic tradition in Japan has always been about following Old Masters’ until the point of ‘creative confidence is reached. There is no penalty for being seen as “copycat” or “derivative”. In fact, that’s exactly what brings legitimacy.’”
From Simon Reynolds’ Retromania:
“W. David Marx, a journalist and the man behind the website Néojaponisme, told me that almost every rock band in Japan starts as a cover band before they begin to work original songs into their set. He explained that ‘artistic tradition in Japan has always been about following Old Masters’ until the point of ‘creative confidence is reached. There is no penalty for being seen as “copycat” or “derivative”. In fact, that’s exactly what brings legitimacy.’”
Sounds like how the Beatles started in Hamburg doing Chuck Berry covers.
I absolutely adore Lin