Should I accept a gig with a band where the set list seems trite?

[Deedee]

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1490173475' post='3262759']
I play in a covers band on the pub circuit. The best part of any gig for me is when we play 'crowdpleasers', when everyone is up singing and dancing. (If I had my way every song we play would be a crowdpleaser but a sizeable chunk of our set is songs that the various band members like but are bordering on the obscure. I'm opposed to this but that's a different thread...)
Very few of the crowdpleasers we play are songs that I would choose to listen to at home but if the punters like them that's good enough for me. Granted, Sex On Fire et al have been done to death but to see a crowd explode when the intro kicks in is priceless. Give me that any day over some album track that's everyone's cue to go out for a fag.

Happy punters equals more beer sold equals more gigs.
[/quote]

Agree 100%. For me the landlord is paying us to entertain the punters. The payback for us is playing to a bouncing crowd. The best feeling and personally why I love playing.

[TrevorR]

The primary function (see what I did there) of a covers band is to entertain the audience and so, the set list should be drawn up with that in mind. In the band I played in we tried to ensure a high proportion of guaranteed floor fillers... SoF, Mustang Sally, Brown Eyed Girl, Mr Brightside, Don't Look Back In Anger, Dakota... all songs I'd not choose to listen to for pleasure. But they all went down a storm.

Alongside them we had other songs I personally like and listen to that would also get a good reaction... Get It On, Lady Marmalade, Long Train Running, some Rock n Roll, some Beatles, Sunny Afternoon, You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, What's Going On, Stand By Me, Town Called Malice, Going Underground... are any of those "trite" or "cliched"? Don't know but they are songs I personally liked.

Main thing was that the audience loved them.

I'm not that worried about what song I actually play and whether it's on my personal listening list (we never did do any Rush, Incognito, ELO, Yes, Horslips, After The Fire, Capercaillie or Gary Moore, all personal faves, many of which don't really do party tunes).

However, I found that there was a huge amount of enjoyment in just playing a classic song, nailing it with the drummer and the rest of the band, watching the punters dancing and singing along and putting on a great show for them... irrespective of personal preference on individual songs.

Gig after gig some of the best experiences I ever had were playing a couple of medleys we used to do during the final set... Hi Ho Silver Lining/Sweet Caroline, La Bamba/Twist and Shout and our big finish medley... Robbie Williams' Angels segued straight into Hey Jude. All cheesy as anything but great fun to play and play off an exuberant and tipsy audience. In particular, they loved a bit of a smooch to Angels which by the end of the song also incorporated manly arms around the shoulders swaying along... then when the band went... "...I'm loving angels instead... <rest> <rest> Hey Jude..." the place would erupt! The punters who were standing by the bar "Aawwww"-ing the smoochers would often literally run to the dance floor to join in the swaying, pint glasses in the air drunken singalong.
Six trite and cheesy songs but... honestly, if that doesn't give you a kick each time you do it you pretty much have no soul!

Edited March 22, 2017 by TrevorR

[martin8708]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1490176158' post='3262792']
If you will be bored in a covers band then don't do it. If you think it's just somewhere you can park yourself for an easy ride for a few years, again don't do it. If you can't accept that most of the time you won't be playing your favourite numbers, don't do it. If the guys in the band are not good players, don't do it.

I haven't played a boring cover yet, but average and disinterested players can make anything sound boring, trite or just plain dull.

Play them properly and most covers, certainly the ones that audiences like and want to hear, will sound good, even Sex On Fire and Mustang Sally.
[/quote]

Pretty much this .
I'm sure there are other bass players who would really appreciate the chance get into a band and get out gigging .
They may even like the set list .

[peteb]

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' timestamp='1490186112' post='3262964']

Some respondents have set up a false dichotomy, interpreting my original post as suggesting that the choice is between "Sex On Fire" and obscure album tracks that send people running for the exit. I don't believe that that's true - I believe that it's possible to come up with a set list of songs that are recognisable and danceable, but also steering clear of the dozen songs that are played by 90% of covers bands.

[/quote]
Actually, I think that you are quite right there. I would say that the best way for a covers band to develop a following is to play songs that your audience know but to avoid the most obvious choices.

Of course, it depends who you are playing to. If you are gigging at ‘music’ pubs who regularly put bands on, then it’s likely that the audience are just as sick of Sex On Fire as you are. That doesn’t mean that they won’t sing along after a few pints, but you are then just another band playing the same stuff as everyone else rather than one who is a bit different and worth making an effort to see again. You can’t get too obscure though, they still want to hear songs that they recognise.

It is a different thing if you are playing weddings or parties where the audience is there for the event rather than the music. You generally have to cater for the lowest common denominator on those gigs and assume that most of the audience don’t listen to a lot of music and only really know the most obvious tunes.

[blue]

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' timestamp='1490172034' post='3262740']
And if I do decide to rule them out, what's a diplomatic way of letting them down gently?

S.P.
[/quote]

In the States cover bands are about making money and having fun.

And finding any band where you can make money is tough for most.

Again, in the States turning down a paying gig is not going to hurt their feelings.

Over here they'll have a lot of other bass players lined up begging for the opportunity.


As far as the material is concerned, if you can't find a way to make playing bass fun and commit to each song, this band is probably not a good match for you.

Blue

Edited March 22, 2017 by blue

[itsmedunc]

I got together with some like minded friends after years of playing original stuff to play a load of Clash stuff. Never had as much fun ever and made a few quid for a change. Just enjoy yourself in whatever you want to do.

[ivansc]

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1490218790' post='3263420']
Personal taste and all that but for me the only way mustang sally ever sounds good is when I am not in the room.
[/quote]

I think the Commitments fillum saw that one off forever. Shame, as the original is a great song with a super groove.
IF you can get past the Commitments murdering of it and approach it as what it is, it`s actually fun to play.

[Barking Spiders]

I've usually quit bands where more than a third of the setlist is what I consider to be utter gash. I have to enjoy what I'm playing otherwise what's the point. If I had to practice Sex on Fire or Angels at home I'd probably reach for the BBQ skewers to puncture my ear drums

[Woodinblack]

We have recently introduced Sex on fire, because every gig we do someone was shouting for it. I think it is a mistake, in that every other band plays it, but it does always go down well, for reasons I fail to understand. It isn't a great song and I don't think it is in our singers vocal range, so I think it sounds sh*t. The advantage is you don't have to practice it, there is nothing to it at all, we practiced it once and did it live the following weekend, so I never have to listen to it at home.
We also do mustang sally, which I thought was a joke when I joined, although i have never been with another group that did it and actually don't mind playing (and it also goes down ok).

We do several songs I don't like that go down well, so I don't mind them. The only one I really think is a bad move is a slow blues that the guitarist insists on, regardless of the fact it has never failed to clear the dance floor and remove the audience.

Our last group did covers and originals. Which was nice to the audience, it gave them a chance to go and have a piss and a beer when they were playing!

I don't think there is any place in a pub for a covers band doing a slow song for a young audience.

Edited March 24, 2017 by Woodinblack

[jezzaboy]

I think that some people in covers bands seem to forget that we are in the entertainment industry. I will play anything that gets people singing, dancing and spending money at the bar.

To the op, what have you got to lose? Try it, you might enjoy it.

[mikel]

Have to agree with the posts that state, in so many words, "If you play almost anything like you really mean it, It will go down well and you will enjoy it." Conversely, If you simply go through the motions it looks and sounds like that is exactly what you are doing.

[Barking Spiders]

Of late I've been googling to see what function bands are out there that play funk. Thing is it seems to me the definition of funk is being stretched to include setlist numbers that might just about be bordering on funk and soul while some are not funk at all e.g. Sex on Fire and Happy. I spose if you need gigs you've gotta offer recent chart hits. I guess a setlist that includes covers of tunes by Trouble Funk, Fatback Band, Ohio Players and Graham Central Station isn't gonna land you any spots. Shame

[Conan]

[quote name='Barking Spiders' timestamp='1490352682' post='3264489'] a setlist that includes covers of tunes by Trouble Funk, Fatback Band, Ohio Players and Graham Central Station...
[/quote]

Sounds like my kinda band!!

These guys come pretty close, and get plenty of gigs in the North East. Outstanding band, and their bass player is a member on here (JD1) - http://www.groovetrain.co.uk/

Edited March 24, 2017 by Conan

[peteb]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1490356359' post='3264539']


Sounds like my kinda band!!

These guys come pretty close, and get plenty of gigs in the North East. Outstanding band, and their bass player is a member on here (JD1) - http://www.groovetrain.co.uk/
[/quote]
John Dawson - stunning bass player & great bloke

[Conan]

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1490357935' post='3264556']
John Dawson - stunning bass player & great bloke
[/quote]

Indeed. Even if he is a Longbenton lad...

[AdamWoodBass]

When I was "pro" years back most of the work I did was with corporate function bands playing exactly this type of stuff. Very tight with very high level musicians and pretty decent very regular money but ultimately - Sex On Fire, Superstition, Move On Up etc.

The dilema for me was the fact that for years leading up to this point I had wanted to be a "session player" but never really had much of a concept of what that actually was. I spent a long time honing my skills during my music degree and pushing myself to become a better and better player but I ultimately ended up playing covers and teaching music with the opportunity to play for recording artists and do "studio work" and "touring" being quite rare and certainly not often enough to make a living.

The necessity of playing covers to the same wedding/corporate crowd in order to pay the bills is what ultimately took all the joy out of music for me. I eventually jacked it in and took up a day job so that I could afford to do the gigs I actually wanted to do. I love playing Jazz and Funk but unfortunately playing "Teen Town" or Herbie's "Man-Child" album in it's entirety won't pay your rent unless you're actually playing for Zawinul or Herbie!

[dannybuoy]

[quote name='Barking Spiders' timestamp='1490352682' post='3264489']
Of late I've been googling to see what function bands are out there that play funk. Thing is it seems to me the definition of funk is being stretched to include setlist numbers that might just about be bordering on funk and soul while some are not funk at all e.g. Sex on Fire and Happy. I spose if you need gigs you've gotta offer recent chart hits. I guess a setlist that includes covers of tunes by Trouble Funk, Fatback Band, Ohio Players and Graham Central Station isn't gonna land you any spots. Shame
[/quote]

It's a shame the function bands that want to specialise in a particular genre feel they have to do the same songs as your generic band. There are plenty of poeple out there that would book a proper funk band, even if the crowd don't know the songs that well they would probably be familiar with a few hooks and if the music is good and played well it will get people dancing.

Saying "we are in the entertainment industry so we must play these songs" is like saying all restaurants should sell burgers and chips.

Edited March 24, 2017 by dannybuoy

[AdamWoodBass]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1490363969' post='3264616']
It's a shame the function bands that want to specialise in a particular genre feel they have to do the same songs as your generic band. There are plenty of poeple out there that would book a proper funk band, even if the crowd don't know the songs that well they would probably be familiar with a few hooks and if the music is good and played well it will get people dancing.

Saying "we are in the entertainment industry so we must play these songs" is like saying all restaurants should sell burgers and chips.
[/quote]

I agree with that to a point, I think it depends on the gig. If you're getting gigs through an agency for a wedding then rightly or wrongly there are often expectations as to the kind of material you'll play. Depends on the person booking you. I did a wedding gig years ago where the groom was a big Tower of Power fan so asked us if we knew any. We played "What is Hip" and he and his mates filled the dance floor and had a great time, it was an absolute riot and I drove home with an ear to ear grin. Unfortunately the following gig about 2 days later was to your typical drunken wedding crowd with the "Do you know anything by <insert current top 40 artist here>". Swings and roundabouts I guess!

I do agree though, a good funk band by their very nature should be very entertaining and have no problem filling a dancefloor. Problem is not enough bands out there willing to take the risk.

[Conan]

[quote name='AdamWoodBass' timestamp='1490364718' post='3264625']
I do agree though, a good funk band by their very nature should be very entertaining and have no problem filling a dancefloor. Problem is not enough bands out there willing to take the risk.
[/quote]

Bad covers bands can just about be tolerable as a certain looseness and distortion can make them sound authentic to certain songs. A bad funk band is just awful

[FinnDave]

I've been playing with the same band for the last 4 years, basically a blues band (mainly because we're stuck with a harmonica player ) but we try to avoid sounding too much like anyone else. We do play Mustang Sally, and it goes down very well, but no better than our version of Elvin Bishop's 'My Dog', which is not a song you'll hear in many pubs!

I did a brief stint at the end of last year with a more conventional covers band, and heard 'Sex on Fire' for the first time. I had read about it here, but never heard it, and was amazed at how bloody dull it was. Hard to believe that it is a real crowd pleaser. I left the band before we reached the gigging stage, so never had a chance to find out how audiences reacted to the infamous SoF. The words 'turgid' and 'dross' come to mind, but I'm far too diplomatic to mention them!

[Woodinblack]

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1490368893' post='3264683']
I had read about it here, but never heard it, and was amazed at how bloody dull it was. Hard to believe that it is a real crowd pleaser. I left the band before we reached the gigging stage, so never had a chance to find out how audiences reacted to the infamous SoF. The words 'turgid' and 'dross' come to mind, but I'm far too diplomatic to mention them!
[/quote]

It is turgid, but for some reason, and I have no idea why, people seem to love it. So for that reason, I don't really complain about it.

[KevB]

Yup, one band I was in regularly finished second set with SoF and it never failed, everyone dancing and singing along to the chorus every time. In a functions/covers band I'd rather that than metaphorical tumbleweed across the stage any time. It's very dependent on the type of audience you are targeting.

[BrunoBass]

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1490370477' post='3264701']


For some reason, and I have no idea why, people seem to love it.
[/quote]

It's easy to sing when you're plastered. Or so I'm told...

[phil.c60]

Which reminds me: we played a successful gig (like FinnDave we're a Blues-ish band also stuck with a harmonica player, but he's rather good so its a from me!) and the landlord said "Go and see my mate at The "insert pub name here" and tell him I sent you. They love a good band. And if he's unsure, tell him to call me" Great, I thought, and duly beetled off there midweek. "Fine" says LL. "If he says you're OK, I'll give you a go" Marvellous, I thought, what an easy sell. And it looks like a great place to play, too. "There's only one thing" he says "You HAVE to play Sex On Fire, it's like the pub anthem. All bands have to, play it how you like, we had a folk band do it last week, whatever style, up to you, but you have to play it". Promised to get back to him, guitar player and harmonica player and drummer all said no. Really no. No, No, No. So I never called him, we never played there, I've never played it. I have played Molly's Chambers though, and quite enjoyed it.

[TrevorR]

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1490370477' post='3264701']


It is turgid, but for some reason, and I have no idea why, people seem to love it. So for that reason, I don't really complain about it.
[/quote]

As is Dakota. Dull dull dull... but the punters seem to go crazy for it. Never been able to get why.